Jamie is 14 in the summer of 1976. I am close to her age, but my summer was vastly different than hers!
Jamie’s parents head off for a camping trip leaving Jamie home alone. Her two friends come over to keep her company, end up having boys come over, and Jamie nearly has her first sexual encounter.
Jamie is nervous about everything, she worries all the time. Her parents are free spirits, having naked swim parties, leaving their children home alone for days, smoking pot, and drinking a lot. All of this makes Jamie very uncomfortable. When Jamie has her first boyfriend, and they progress from kissing to sex, her mother wants to talk to Jamie about Jamie’s sexual awakening. After a tragedy at Jamie’s house, Jamie goes into a deep depression. She struggles with her sexuality, drinking, eating, and friendships. In the end, on whom can she depend?
This is a coming-of-age story unlike any other! ( )

I enjoyed the style that this was written in - very evocative of the period. I found the characters interesting but for me it didn't go "far enough". I felt there could have been more surprises/developments and it ended rather abruptly for me. It was however a nice conclusion and the story did tie together with the style throughout ( )

How can Jamie be straight when her parents are aged hippies with lots of pot, casual nudity, and no restrictions?

How can Jamie remain friends with her BFFs when they are more interested in boyfriends, beach and sex than she is?

What will her Outward Bound sister think when Jamie takes up with her long-time, unrequited, crush?

And what happens when it all crashes apart?

Readable and interesting.

Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/6389218/ ( )

absolutely fantastic. a brilliant summer read. ( )

Absolutely laugh out loud funny. The characters are quirky, true to life, and hilarious. I love the setting and the details that the author throws in to create a fabulous scene in the book. I am so glad those weren't my parents, but I laughed so hard at the memories she had, and could see it all happening. Great read. ( )