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"Tracktown Summer" by Elizabeth Holmes

Author:

Elizabeth Holmes

Publisher:

Dutton Children’s Books, New York, 2009

Reviewed by:

Kristine Wildner, Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, WI

Delving into the critical relationships between fathers and sons with thoughtfulness and caring, Tracktown Summer chronicles 11-year-old Jake’s summer in a rented lake cottage with his father. The small neighborhood by the lake is known as Tracktown because of the close proximity of the train which loudly passes through town several times a day. Bored and lonely while his father works, Jake befriends Adrian, a 14-year-old neighbor boy who’s a lot of fun, but has a mean, violent streak. As the summer progresses, the boys take many risks and Jake’s need for his father’s attention becomes more acute. Meanwhile, Adrian’s dad, who the neighbors never see outside the house, becomes a mystery in himself. Details of these relationships come out through the boys’ experiences swimming, playing basketball and hanging out together. Suspense builds as truths about both the fathers is revealed and both boys grow to understand each other better. As their relationships with their fathers becomes more honest, the boys openly face their individual circumstances relating to divorce and mental illness.

Indirectly revealing the difficulties involved with male communications and expressions of feelings, the storyline focuses on the boys’ on and off relationship, figuring out what do when there is nothing to do, taking risks, unable to see the consequences of their own actions. The character of a neighbor girl, Allie, balances the natural inclination of boys toward competition and adds another dimension to the summer friendships. Other characters are painfully realistic and well-developed, as character growth as becomes a central theme to the story. The plot has just enough tension to keep the reader wanting to know what happens next, while maintaining the feel of a lazy summer day. Almost unconsciously, the book will touch the heart of boys who do not always recognize their own feelings, much less those of the people closest to them. Recommended for students in grades 5-8.