Do you remember how you felt in the summer? What about the summer when you were 12? Let’s further complicate that memory by remembering the summer of 1979.
Yep, 1979. That would be the 70s. Bad fashion at it’s height. I’m talking the polyester tangerine jumpsuit with the feather attached to the zipper; topped off with wooden/leather clogs.
Oh wait, that was just me.
Let me introduce you to Annie. Her problems are much more important than my trivial polyester jumpsuit.
She’d planned her entire school vacation in the early days of spring, but the summer of 1979 doesn’t turn out to be what 12 year old Annie expected: her best friend is away at camp, Connor Bartlett barely notices her anymore, and her family, trying to protect her from the reality of her grandmother’s illness, only seem to further isolate her.
Struggling to navigate the crossroads of young adulthood, Annie turns to an unlikely confidant: a reclusive young veteran at war with his own past.
As the summer days pass and her 13th birthday edges closer, Annie discovers that growing up has little to do with age and everything to do with letting go and moving on.
Yep, being a pre teen is difficult. And when you’re grandma is dying, it’s no fun. Especially if you don’t have your bestie around to help you through the ordeal. I love coming of age stories because it makes you grateful to be an adult. Plus, it’s so lovely to see kids discover their inner strength and how they handle the adversity they’re put in.
Let’s do something even more fun, ok? Let’s think back to when we were 12 going on 13 (channeling that song from “The Sound of Music”) and channel the fashion police in all of us. Let’s have an Annie’s Fashion Pin Party!
Let’s pin clothes to our Annie’s Fashion Pin Party board that either:
- you had to wear when you were 12 or 13 OR
- you wish you had worn when you were 12 or 13 (current or past fashion is encouraged)
HOW FUN WILL THAT BE??
One of the fashion items I have in common with Annie is the love of sneakers. To be sure, I don’t recall wearing sneakers outside of gym class until I was in college; and then I discovered Chuck Taylors. And any of you who’ve met me in person have prolly seen me in red or white chucks. Like these…
Follow Annie’s boards on Pinterest here.
Pin to Annie’s Fashion Pin Party here.
Leave a comment or tweet me (@Pamlovesbooks) to get added to the board for the party.
Don’t forget your disco ball!