Summerlings

A Novel

By: Lisa Howorth

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

It’s the summer of 1959 in the seemingly tranquil suburbs of Washington, D.C. But our young narrator, John, and his best friends, Ivan and Max, know the truth: every door on their street could be hiding an escaped Nazi or a spy with secrets about the A-bomb. The entire city is being plagued by an inexplicable spider infestation—surely evidence of “insect warfare” by the Russians! So when a rare vinegaroon—a whip scorpion—is discovered on Capitol Hill and sequestered for study at the Smithsonian, the boys, along with their tomboy accomplice, Beatriz, hatch a risky midnight plan to steal the deadly creature for their own devious purposes.

Yet when the friends discover some very real instances of anti-Semitism and prejudice in the neighborhood, it’s the shocking and tragic events stemming from a well-intentioned community-building potluck party that change their lives forever.

A vibrantly voiced, heartfelt, and charming Cold War coming-of-age story, Summerlings captures the crystal-clear moments that mark the bittersweet reckoning of childhood’s end.

Critic reviews

“As a boy my first literary hero was Tom Sawyer, and ever since I’ve enjoyed the misadventures and romps of kids loose in the summertime. Summerlings is a story rich in local color, humor, outrageous characters, and with a wicked plot.”
—John Grisham, author of The Reckoning

“Summerlings is a manic, finely wrought, compelling dash, that transports the reader back in time to an America (sweet-hearted, wide-eyed) that feels like a lovely, lost foreign country, lost to us in this dark national moment. Howorth is a joyful writer who charms the reader with her command of detail and her precise nostalgia."
—George Saunders, author of Lincoln in the Bardo

“Put this novel in whatever is today’s new equivalent of a time capsule – maybe an amygdala implant with a barcode that can be easily scanned? I read it in one gulp, remembering my childhood in Washington, D.C. with pleasure and pain, totally engrossed, astonished, disconcerted, to feel so young again. It’s so real.”
—Ann Beattie, author of A Wonderful Stroke of Luck

"Lisa Howorth’s Summerlings practically hums with feeling and memory. One can nearly hear the clang of the Good Humor truck, the buzz of the gnats on sweaty summer necks. Funny, poignant and ultimately deeply affecting, it will transport you, move you, take your breath away."
—Megan Abbott, author of Give Me Your Hand

"Lisa Howorth’s Summerlings might masquerade as a coming-of-age story—a small pack of boys in 1959, their unhappy DC home lives, the Ukrainian woman they all adore—but in reality it’s so much more. To read this book is to be transported to another era, one both otherworldly yet instantly accessible thanks to Howoth’s incandescent and evocative prose. The experience is akin to falling into someone else’s memories and never wanting to leave."
—Hannah Pittard, author of Visible Empire

“Lisa Howorth’s writing is a total joy and Summerlings weaves a generous web of Bazooka gum, Miracle Whip and Cold War paranoia. I so envy her ability to spin the fine details of childhood into a powerful and memorable story like this one.”
—Sloane Crosley, author of Look Alive Out There

“Lisa Howorth is the real thing! Beautifully written, sweet and ultimately heart-breaking, Summerlings is the To Kill a Mockingbird of the Cold War generation.”
—Julia Claiborne Johnson, author of Be Frank With Me

“An engaging coming-of-age story focused on the unraveling of truths hidden just beneath the surface…Howorth has a gift for crafting memorable characters and an authentic sense of place.”
—Kirkus Reviews

Excellent story, weird narration

The story was engaging and humorous. I had to listen to it at 1.5 speed, though, because of the narrator's long pauses between every sentence. They were unnecessary and distracting.

Wonderfully sweet and nostalgic tale of adolescence.

Summerlings was my kind of book. I personally love nostalgic tales of childhood/adolescence. This book hit the bullseye for me. Great characters that reminded me of some of my childhood friends and our long, lazy, and languid summer days as they draw to an end and returning to school is just around the corner.

The spider invasion was a terrific, vivid occurrence even if it is unlikely and far fetched. It was a fun little kickoff to the story. Lisa Howorth captured the mood and essence of these kids and the late 50s summer perfectly. I will definitely want to read more from her.

Have to give huge kudos to Michael Crouch and his wonderful narration. He was the perfect reader for this book. He captured the innocence of these kids and his voices for each character were spot on. I really loved these kids and Mr. Crouch brought them to amazing life.

Definitely one of the best books I've listened to in a long time. Thank you Lisa Howorth and Michael Crouch for the laughs, and a few tears. Excellent work! My work commute was a treat each day.