SUMMER VINEYARD by L.A. Kidwell
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 3/6/06
Publisher: PublishAmerica
Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel
Rating: 4 Stars
Two sisters, Mary and Samantha, travel to visit their Aunt and Uncle for two weeks on a vineyard in California during summer
vacation. Mary wants to learn how to run the vineyard. She’s thinking it might be neat to take on the family business one day.
Her sister Sam’s interests lie in boys, shopping, and the beach. Both girls must deal with major disappointments, as two
weeks turns into most of the summer due to family issues.
Sharing a room is normally tough, but especially when you’re not speaking to the other occupant. Mary and her sister fight
whenever they speak to each other and tension grows between the two sisters. Mary loses herself in the work around the
vineyard. Samantha occasionally lends a hand, but she’s more interested in one of the workers than the vineyard itself. When
trouble starts on the vineyard, Mary feels determined to discover the culprit, even if it means prying into her sister’s business.
SUMMER VINEYARD has a similar setting to PEACHES, but for a younger audience. The sisterly behavior between the
two main characters rings true through their quarreling and also their reconciliation. The descriptive quality of the novel makes
this a quick and good read.
Summer Vineyard
by L.A. Kidwell