The Summer I Saved the World in 65 Days, by Michele Weber Hurwitz

The book I read for my book report is called The Summer I Saved the World in 65 Days. The author of the book is Michele Weber Hurwitz, and as she was writing the book she came up with the question: does good really do good? This question was the whole point of the book. The book talks about a thirteen-year old girl named Nina Ross and how she is committed on doing sixty-five good things for neighborhood. The setting of the story is mainly the cul-de-sac (the kind of street she lives on). The story starts of with Nina planning on doing something good for her neighbor. Since the recent passing of her grandmother Nina has been feeling very lost. Also since it’s her summer of freshman year she wants to find something she is good at because all of her friends have hobbies she wants to find one for herself too. This is what made her create her plan to anonymously do one small but remarkable good thing for someone in her neighborhood. Along the way, she discovers that her neighborhoods, and her family, are full of surprises and secrets.

My favorite part in the book is when Eli (Nina’s next door neighbor) asks Nina to go to homecoming with him. I like this part because they like each other and after all of these good things Nina has done she deserves to get her something good happen to her. Overall, this is a great book and I do suggest it because it has a great conflict and resolution and it shows how good can really do well. But it does get cheesy during some parts so if you don’t like cheesy books this isn’t for you.

Reviewed by Ani, Grade 8

Grandview Library