Carolyn from Cataumet, MA

I just finished The Running Waves and think school systems nation wide should make this required reading both at the upper junior and high school levels. In addition to the foreshadowing and symbolism, this is a book that will actually get students talking about their current lives and past similar experiences. The book succeeds because it isn't preachy and the characters are just flawed enough to denote realism. The dialogue will hook students immediately, and for parents this story is a wake up a call about how many teens then and now deal with friendship, love, and heartache. My own son during and after high school couldn't leave Cape Cod fast enough, and this book shines a light on many possible reasons why that might have been the case. (Following success off Cape, he now returns for visits with a much lighter heart, and I am sure this book will speak as much to him as it has to me).

As a baby boomer, I could relate to those summer time college weekends and how desperately we all wanted to be seen and accepted. For me, Pucky's was the Casino in Falmouth Heights or the Brothers Four. I can still hear that music! The authors took me back in time long enough to realize that while some things change, others remain exactly the same.

My favorite references in the book alluded to the thrills of baseball and how the sport has "evolved" over time. I loved every character in this book, and the one-liners are hilarious. Saw every movie mentioned!! But the truly moving part of the story and at its very core, is the challenging relationship between the two teen brothers, Dermott and Colin. If you have ever experienced loss,this book will strike a very personal chord. Put down the cell phones long enough to read the number one summer book of the year. Then pick them up again and text everyone you know to buy this book!