This was such a sweet book. I loved the fact that it was written from the perspective of a 12 year old boy. It was a nice change. You see the world through his eyes and it kind of took me back to the way I viewed the world at 12, even though this book takes place in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Joshua is a twelve-year old boy who lives with his 18 year-old aunt, his grandfather and his great-uncle and later, his great-grandfather. Joshua loves his little family and when he discovers that his grandfather and great-uncle start planning to find a husband for his aunt, he does not like it at all. Joshua turns to God throughout the book to help him through, but also loses his faith. His questions of "Why would God let this happen?" are typical of many people, especially young kids. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a really quick read. I laughed out-loud a couple of times at Joshua's typical boyhood behavior and understanding of the world around him. The book focuses on the importance of family and faith. It had a wonderful, heart-warming feeling about it. Janette Oke did a great job telling the story through a 12 year-old boy. Oke's writing really gives you a great idea of who these characters are and how they sound when they speak (which I love), "I liked things jest the way they were, but if I was to keep 'em that way, it was going to take some figurin' out".I would recommend this book - especially if you are a fan of Prairie Fiction/Christian Fiction. It is the first book in the "Seasons of the Heart" Series and I can't wait to read The Winds of Autumn!
This is a cute and enjoyable read. Written from the perspective of 12 year old Josh, "Once Upon A Summer" covers the events that take place in his family during one summer and autumn.Josh's parents died when he was a baby, but he has his Grandpa, great-uncle Charlie, and Aunt Louisa to take care of him. Although he sometimes laments the fact that he has no memories of his parents, Josh is very happy with his family and doesn't want anything to change. So when Josh's Great-Grandfather comes to live with them, he worries that it will change things in their house (but things turn out quite differently!) Meanwhile, Grandpa and Uncle Charlie conspire behind Aunt Lou's back to introduce respectable suitors to her, but Josh doesn't want to see Aunt Lou get married and leave the farm, so he conspires against the suitors....and he gains a surprising ally in this, as well.This is a cute story, and it made an enjoyable read. At first I wasn't sure that I'd be able to get into it, since it's written from 12 year-old Josh's perspective....but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the story sucked me in so that I hardly even thought about Josh being so young. I think that this would be an entertaining story for just about any age -- young, middle, or old!
What do You think about Once Upon A Summer (1981)?
This was my first book I had read by Janette Oke, and must say that I am sold! I found that it was a refreshing tale featuring God, the hazards, and rewards of honest, hard work mixed with love. I did enjoy this book, but was a little irked by the cutting of the words for old country-like language (ex: gittin'). Though it made the dialogue sound more realistic at times I felt like it was a little off-putting, especially because it did not limit itself to only the dialogue. That was my only small complaint about the book, but am truly smitten with the plot, characters, and the author's work. The characters all had their own unique spark to the story, and there was never truly a dull character, or even a dull moment in the book. I also felt like the choice of POV was magnificent featuring a twelve year old boy, which is a POV no one truly uses. It was so creative to use an observer to what was going on around him while he has inner conflicts with himself involving his position with God, and various inevitable changes that all face.The book really had a way to reach out, and make you feel. On my recommend list!
—Gothcupcake
Daniel a school boy looks at how he perceives life at this time. He lives with 3 adult men n an 17yr old aunt who turns 18.He is angry with God because he feels robbed of memories until Aunt Lou told him of her memories so he rethinks to bring up moments he can commit to memory. He switches off at church because he has heard the sermon before. A puppy was lost to him after one day but Gramps soon gets him another. Grandpa n Uncle Charlie try their hand at matchmaking n interfere when Lou finds her attention on the new reverend. Delightful story. I have a different perspective reading this book now than years ago.
—Dianne Sidebottom
This was a really fun, really tender book. I laughed out loud several times while listening. Josh has a really comfortable head to live in as he tells his story. He really makes you understand what he's feeling. I liked how this book brought God into it, too--and how it wasn't a bam! I believe sort of thing. How Josh really had to struggle with his feelings and belief and come to know God for himself. And I liked how it didn't feel preachy at all, or at least not to me. It was more of a personal struggle, which is very relatable to anyone who's struggled with faith, I think. And I loved Gramps. And I liked how either Josh, Gramps, Lou, or all three of them would drive her suitors away--all except the right one, of course. And p.s., totally saw the right choice coming from the first mention of him at the beginning of the book. It's really rewarding to guess right. :)
—H
