Seventeenth Summer

The last couple of springs I began a new ritual to welcome in summer. I read a book by Maureen Daly called Seventeenth Summer.

It's a book I read back in high school and always thought it was a sweet story. A couple of years ago I got it from the library and read it again and since then, I read it about this time every year. It puts me in a good mood and gets me excited for summer.

Maureen Daly grew up in Fond du Lac and that's where it takes place. It was originally published in 1942, so I'm assuming that's about the time it takes place. It's about a girl, Angie Morrow, who just graduated from high school and falls in love for the first time the summer before she's about to go off to college.

Now granted, I realize it's all quite corny, but there is so much about this book that I love. I love that it takes place in Fond du Lac and they spend time on Lake Winnebago...it gives me a sense of familiarity. When Angie describes her back yard, her garden, her home, I want to visit there...possibly live there. While the day-to-day chores were probably more difficult without all the conveniences we enjoy now, life just seemed simpler. There were rules of behavior and etiquette that everyone knew, and people followed. The days seemed to move at a slow even pace and everything about this book, to me, is very endearing.

Over the years they have tried to gear it toward a new generation of readers by modernizing the cover. But that's actually another thing I love about this book...the illustrations that are true to the time it takes place. As a matter of fact, I always check out the same one at the library. The hardcover with the old pictures.

I would love to share this with my daughter someday. I would love her to love it as much as I have through the years (although, I'm not foolish enough to think that she will.) In the meantime I will continue to read it each spring for my own enjoyment.