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The Summer I Learned to Fly Audiobook
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(3.02) - 858 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Drew's a bit of a loner. She has a pet rat, her dead dad's Book of Lists, an encyclopedic knowledge of cheese from working at her mom's cheese shop, and a crush on Nick, the surf bum who works behind the counter. It's the summer before eighth grade and Drew's days seem like business as usual, until one night after closing time, when she meets a strange boy in the alley named Emmett Crane. Who he is, why he's there, where the cut on his cheek came from, and his bottomless knowledge of rats are all mysteries Drew will untangle as they are drawn closer together, and Drew enters into the first true friendship, and adventure, of her life.
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"I love, love, loved this book. I am older than the intended audience but I think it is a well written story that was not overly dramatic. Birdie and Emmett make an interesting pair because they are misfits which I find more interesting that unrealisticly perfect characters. It gives people a reason to believe in kindness and hope. I read this book twice after picking it up because I liked the cover, and each time I was finished in a single day."
— Krysten (5 out of 5 stars)
The Summer I Learned to Fly Listener Reviews
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" I was impressed. The protagonist was thirteen, but the writing felt older, quite elegant and spare. I couldn't believe the ending was going to fit into the few pages left, but it did, and was very moving. Off to order some more books by Dana Reinhardt. "
— Cheryl, 1/27/2014 -
" I always can tell when a book is really good if it makes me cry, and this book made me cry. A lot. The Summer I Learned to Fly is a middle grade novel. It tells the story of Drew Robin Solo, often called Birdie. Birdie meets Emmett Crane, and they become fast friends. Emmett has a lot of secrets, and Birdie tries to figure out who Emmett really is. This book was a quick, enjoyable read. "
— Jared, 12/30/2013 -
" Drew has a pretty good but very safe life. She rides her bike to school, home, and to her mom's cheese shop. At 13, she is planning to spend the summer hanging out around the house and the shop since her few friends have all gone away for the summer. Though she plans to play it safe, a new friend and discoveries about her father lead Drew to become adventurous. Soon she is sneaking out of the house to go to parks and beaches and inviting her new (boy)friend over without asking her mom. Things got a little outlandish at the end, but all in all, it is a book I would recommend. Pleasant, especially if you like cheese and pasta because Drew talks about it a lot! "
— Beaverton, 12/29/2013 -
" I liked this one, but can see it being enjoyable to adults more than to the kids it's intended for. Review to come closer to pub date. "
— Amanda, 12/13/2013 -
" 3.5 stars. This is a cute coming of age story. I really enjoyed the first half but felt it grew weaker... and ended abruptly. Overall it's a cute, short book about friendship, crushes, and family. "
— Jen, 11/26/2013 -
" A school girl crush, a mysterious boy, an old legend. "
— Tori, 11/8/2013 -
" I love this book! A real coming of age from the eyes of the teen but also understanding of the mother's point of view. So sensitively done! "
— Junemarie, 10/11/2013 -
" A quiet understated story that captures the confusion of early adolescence. Some of those moments were beautifully described, but the story never quite came together. "
— Christie, 9/11/2013 -
" A perfect read for that loner 13 year old girl who needs something to read to help her feel less alone in the world. "
— Marilyn, 8/12/2013 -
" Loved this book! Great for tweens and for adults. I thought it really captured a moment in one girl's life quite beautifully. "
— Josie, 7/17/2013 -
" Gentle, good read that genuinely reflects the wide range of emotions possible between a single mother and her teenage daughter. I raced to the ending, and wish it were more fully developed (just me, maybe). "
— Janet, 7/4/2013 -
" This was a cute read. But the intensity of the ending (which was very good) just didn't match the lack of depth of the rest of the book. "
— Jami, 1/24/2013 -
" It took me a long time to care about the characters, but by the time I did (pretty much the second half of the book) I found myself liking the story. As a middle school librarian, I think it will be a hard sell to most students; however, it's a sweet story that some of the girls will enjoy. "
— Christie, 1/20/2013 -
" I liked it good coming of age book and finding out about yourself "
— Lisa, 9/17/2012 -
" Love Dana Reinhartdt's YA books! "
— Alllison, 8/13/2012 -
" I finished reading the book and immediately thought of the word innocence. How wonderful to be innocent enough to trust others and to believe in miracles. Good read, Birdie and Emmett are my age. I grew up in the 80's and miss how innocent I was at the time. I recommend it. "
— Maribel, 4/26/2012 -
" Each of Dana Reinhardt's novels is so different from the other, but the quality of writing and empathy for the characters remains consistent. Only three stars because the ending was unsatisfying, but the book itself is beautiful. "
— Sarah, 8/28/2011 -
" This book was just magical!! "
— Jennifer, 7/26/2011 -
" Even though I am 16 years old, I don't think I could have read this book at a better time in my life. The main character, Drew, is 13 years old, but I felt like I could relate to her in so many ways. This was a charming coming of age novel written by a very talented writer. "
— Samantha, 7/18/2011 -
" Dana Reinhardt's da bomb. Enough said. "
— Anna, 7/14/2011 -
" Not nearly as good as The Things a Brother Knows. "
— Janssen, 4/21/2011 -
" A little bit of <em>Stargirl</em> meets Sarah Dessen in Dana Reinhardt's latest. A sharp and precocious loner of a protagonist, quirky details (pet rat, gourmet cheese shop), plus a breezy, beach-y setting make for a light but not too light summer coming-of-age story. <br/> <br/> "
— Hannah, 2/24/2011
About Dana Reinhardt
Dana Reinhardt is the author of A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life, Harmless, How to Build a House, The Things a Brother Knows, and The Summer I Learned to Fly, among others.
About Shannon McManus
Shannon McManus, award-winning narrator, is a Los Angeles–based actor, writer, and voice artist. Her natural vocal abilities and extensive theater training have led to work in audiobook narration, commercial voice-over, and animation. Critical praise includes an Audiofile Earphones Award and a Publishers Weekly Listen Up! Award in children’s and young adult fiction.