{"product_id":"the-summer-of-bitter-and-sweet-isbn-9780063086166","title":"The Summer of Bitter and Sweet","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this complex and emotionally resonant novel about a Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person—and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth. A William C. Morris Award Honor Book and a Stonewall Award Honor Book!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She’ll be working in her family’s ice-cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend—whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort—and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut when she gets a letter from her biological father—a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life—Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile King’s friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family’s business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can’t ignore her father forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne summer to figure out her heart, her future, and the secrets her family has been keeping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAsexual Representation:\u003c\/b\u003e A moving, nuanced exploration of asexuality as Lou navigates a relationship that feels wrong and a friendship that feels unexpectedly right.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFriends to Lovers:\u003c\/b\u003e She needs her former best friend King back in her life, but as they rediscover their bond, Lou must decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for something more.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePowerful Indigenous Voices:\u003c\/b\u003e A poignant YA contemporary novel about a Métis teen grappling with identity, community, and the weight of generational trauma.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eForced Proximity:\u003c\/b\u003e Trapped in the family’s ice-cream shack for the summer with her ex and her old best friend, Lou finds that close quarters can lead to complicated feelings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\"Debut author Ferguson, who is Métis and White, touches on intergenerational family suffering at the hands of the state, mental health, substance abuse, racism, sexual harassment and assault, and missing and murdered Indigenous women—all with nuance and care. Heart-rending and healing; a winning blend that will leave readers satisfied.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"In a layered first-person portrayal of a young Indigenous woman navigating the edge of adulthood, Ferguson (who is Métis and white) tackles necessary issues—of identity and sexuality alongside colonialism, generational trauma, racism, physical and sexual assault, and substance reliance—through well-wrought, complicated characterizations and prose that sings with poetry.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Young adult readers can relate to the struggles Lou is facing as she navigates her transition from high school to college, and also use them as a conversation starter about race, identity, sexuality, dating, and friendship.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Like an unexpected tart note swirling through a creamy, cold treat, \u003cem\u003eThe Summer of Bitter and Sweet\u003c\/em\u003e layers the harsh truths and deep connections that thread through a Canadian prairie town....In this heartfelt story, we come to see the complex lives beneath the wide-open landscape. \" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStar Tribune\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Ferguson’s frank and powerful debut opens readers’ eyes to the multiplicity of daily traumas faced by people of color, especially Indigenous women and girls. Ferguson, herself Michif\/Métis and white, boldly writes on many challenging topics, including racism, physical violence, sexual identity, sexual assault, and teen alcohol use. Lou is complex, smart, and honest, and a narrator readers will trust, love, and learn from as she works to repair friendships and gain security for her treasured family.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Brutally honest about the sexual and physical violence Native women are subjected to, this story deals with a variety of painful topics and their impact on Louise’s friends and family... The honesty and complexity of this book make it a gripping read.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Heartdrum","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44889682673893,"sku":"NP9780063086166","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780063086166.jpg?v=1730231741","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-summer-of-bitter-and-sweet-isbn-9780063086166","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}