After Summer [Paperback]

This summer is different. School is over for Alex Delaney, and he’s waiting for his university acceptance, only seventeen days away. The waiting is killing him. He’s not expecting much from summer. Bodysurfing, TV, but mainly waiting.

So he’s not ready for the girl who cuts past him on a wave. Not at all prepared for her perfect balance on the board, the elegant muscles of her shoulders and back. Just a girl. Compelling green eyes, golden skin, something graceful and elusive about her. Summer is about to change.

This summer is different. School is over for Alex Delaney, and he’s waiting for his university acceptance, only seventeen days away. The waiting is killing him. He’s not expecting much from summer. Bodysurfing, TV, but mainly waiting.

So he’s not ready for the girl who cuts past him on a wave. Not at all prepared for her perfect balance on the board, the elegant muscles of her shoulders and back. Just a girl. Compelling green eyes, golden skin, something graceful and elusive about her. Summer is about to change.

The story of summer love may not be new, but After Summer is tender and enticing, and will touch many teens’ hearts. School Library Journal

Earls lets this minimally plotted story unfold with the languidness of summer, quietly and slowly. His language is appropriately rhythmic and smooth as he tells a wistful, familiar tale of a summer romance that quietly and realistically captures the feelings of a first love. Booklist, ALA

Appealingly, Earls doesn't make a big deal about his characters' worlds colliding. He just throws together individuals with seemingly different personalities and philosophies and lets them all get along. --Horn Book Horn Book

This begins in January, and January is okay. It begins like December as though their join is seamless. Sometimes as though the bright days of summer will last forever.
But the end of Januarl“œ