Summer Bird Blue

Description

Summer Bird Blue is second novel from acclaimed YA author Akemi Dawn Bowman, exploring themes of unconditional love, insurmountable grief, and how to forgive when it feels impossible.

The story follows seventeen year old Rumi, who feels that no one understands her like her sister. So when Lea is killed in a car crash, and Rumi is sent away to live with her aunt in Hawaii so her mother can deal with her own grief, her feelings of abandonment create a brick wall around her that is tough to break down.

But there is one thing she know she must do, the one thing she believes her sister would want from her - finish the song they started writing together before it happened, inspired by three words: Summer, Bird, and Blue.

With the help of the “boys next door” – teenage surfer Kai, who smiles too much and doesn’t take anything seriously, and 80-year-old George Watanabe, who succumbed to his own grief years ago – Rumi seeks her way back to her music, to write the song she and Lea never had the chance to write together.

Product Details

Published: 18th June 2020
Format: Paperback 198x129mm
Extent: 384 pages
ISBN: 9781785302275

Author

Akemi Dawn Bowman is the author of Starfish and Summer Bird Blue. She’s a proud Ravenclaw and Star Wars enthusiast, who served in the US Navy for five years and has a BA in social sciences from UNLV. Originally from Las Vegas, she currently lives in Scotland with her husband, two children, and their Pekingese mix.

Reviews

'A truly captivating story about healing that will play your heartstrings and pull you in.'

– The Bookish Gurl, five stars out of five

'I rarely cry at books but this one tugged on my heartstrings and I had to pause every so often to get ahold of myself.'

– Niffler Reads, five stars out of five

'I’m awarding this book 5/5 because it was just everything I ever wanted from a contemporary fiction.'

– Sammy's Shelf, five stars out of five

'Akemi has created a masterpiece of a novel which encompasses so much, grief, love, family, friendships, identity, and growing-up.'

– Never Judge A Book By It's Cover, five stars out of five

'Summer Bird Blue is a heartbreakingly raw and honest exploration of grief, with its lyrical language underpinning a message of hope and positivity.'

– Scorpio Book Dreams, five stars out of five

'It left me feeling emotionally drained but with a full heart. I would give this all the stars if I could – it really is sheer perfection!'

– Chrikaru

'A heartbreaking yet beautiful gift of a book.'

– Readable Life, four and a half stars out of five

'It is a beautiful portrayal of grief, healing and the importance of found family. I defy you to read it and not fall in love.'

– Charlotte, Somewhere

'It’s the type of writing that reaches right down into my soul, opens up all of my emotions, then embraces me in a warm hug.'

– Red Rocket Panda

 ENDORSEMENTS

‘Raw, real and deeply hopeful. I will read anything Akemi Dawn Bowman writes.’

– ALICE OSEMAN, author of I Was Born For This and Radio Silence

‘Bowman dives into the sea of grief with her protagonist and celebrates the kinds of love that are eclipsed all too often. With this remarkable book, she has cemented her position as one of the most progressive and insightful authors of her generation.’

– SAMANTHA SHANNON

‘Summer Bird Blue is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve read this year. It grabs your heart and won’t let go.’

– BOOK RIOT