A Summer Without Anna

Gr 1-4–A book that will remind some of Lois Lowry’s first book A Summer to Die, but for younger readers and with a different outcome. Junie’s summer at the lake begins when she is dropped off to stay with Nan and Pop. She is lonely and anxious without her big sister Anna; their parents stay with Anna, who is simply too ill to Junie. She has loaned Junie her camera. Junie spends her days exploring the lake and taking pictures in the loving care of her grandparents. Concern about her sister constantly gnaws away at her. “Mum and Dad call every evening to say they love me, then pass the phone to Anna ... One night, she’s too tired to come to the phone at all.” As the summer continues, Junie wonders, “What if she never gets better?” When Anna is well enough, she and their parents come to get Junie in a hopeful reunion; Junie collects the pictures she took over the summer to share with her. Muted color illustrations show Junie exploring the lake, fishing with Pop, cooking with Nan, and apprehensively waiting to hear from Anna and her parents. Subtle shading adds dimension and hints of hidden things. Most of the illustrations cover full spreads. Some incorporate Junie’s photos, and another shows her despondent reflection in the lake. Her sadness and anxiety come through in all of them. Anna’s illness is never identified, and her presence is woven throughout Junie’s days and nights. Junie’s summer is both sad and scary, warm and comforting, in a story that will resonate with readers.