Hi all!
Welcome back to The Ultimate Reading Challenge! I outlined in 2022 how the new series will work here, so check that out before progressing further. For my eighth challenge, I read The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson. I also wrote to her directly about the book itself. I am going to share my thoughts, as well as my prize for completing the prompt. If you wish to see my entire ranking of Morgan’s works, click here. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Spoilers Ahead!
Plot: ‘The Firefly Summer’ by Morgan Matson:
For as long as Ryanna Stuart can remember, her summers have been spent with her father and his new wife. Just the three of them, structured, planned, and quiet. But this summer is different. This summer, she’s received a letter from her grandparents – grandparents neither she nor her dad have spoken to since her mom’s death – inviting her to stay with them at an old summer camp in the Poconos.
Ryanna accepts. She wants to learn about her mom. She wants to uncover the mystery of why her father hasn’t spoken to her grandparents all these years. She’s even looking forward to a quiet summer by the lake. But what she finds are relatives…so many relatives!
Over the course of one unforgettable summer – filled with s’mores and swimming, adventure and fun, and even a decades-old mystery to solve – Ryanna discovers a whole new side of herself and that, sometimes, the last place you expected to be is the place where you really belong.
Email To Morgan Matson:
‘Hi Morgan, my name is Rebecca Rossi, and I am a huge fan of your work. A while ago, I ranked all of your books on my blog and am so excited to dive into The Firefly Summer. What made you want to write a middle-grade story? I would love to know what inspired you to move from YA to an even younger audience. I wish you all the best! Kind Regards, Rebecca.’
At this stage, Morgan has not responded.
Review: ‘The Firefly Summer’ by Morgan Matson:
Morgan Matson cannot write a bad book. This I’m convinced of. She is so adept at capturing the magic of life’s simple pleasures and plucking at the heartstrings. After the last page turned, I wanted to catch the next flight to the Poconos and stay at a summer camp. I loved how fleshed out the characters were and the way we, as a reader, weren’t spoon-fed the answers. They were delivered to us at the perfect moment in the best way. From the very beginning, I knew how it would end, but I didn’t care. The journey to get there was what made it so special. I truly commend Morgan for excelling at her first middle-grade novel. I hope it’s not the last!
Prize For Completing The Challenge:
As you can see below, my prize for completing the prompt were three bookish cards that you can attach to a gift or keep for scrapbooking. They are super cute!
Thank you so much for reading! I will see you next month for a new bookish challenge!
Peace & Love xoxo