“A lyrical novel about grief, love, and finding oneself in the wake of a tragic loss.” –Bustle “Gorgeous prose and heartbreaking storytelling.” –Paste Magazine “Grabs your heart and won’t let go.” –Book Riot A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year Three starred reviews for this stunning novel about a mixed-race teen who struggles to find her way back to her love of music in the wake of her … mixed-race teen who struggles to find her way back to her love of music in the wake of her sister’s death, from the author of the William C. Morris Award finalist Starfish.
Rumi Seto spends a lot of time worrying she doesn’t have the answers to everything. What to eat, where to go, whom to love. But there is one thing she is absolutely sure of–she wants to spend the rest of her life writing music with her younger sister, Lea.
Then Lea dies in a car accident, and her mother sends her away to live with her aunt in Hawaii while she deals with her own grief. Now thousands of miles from home, Rumi struggles to navigate the loss of her sister, being abandoned by her mother, and the absence of music in her life. With the help of the “boys next door”–a teenage surfer named Kai, who smiles too much and doesn’t take anything seriously, and an eighty-year-old named George Watanabe, who succumbed to his own grief years ago–Rumi attempts to find her way back to her music, to write the song she and Lea never had the chance to finish.
Aching, powerful, and unflinchingly honest, Summer Bird Blue explores big truths about insurmountable grief, unconditional love, and how to forgive even when it feels impossible.
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A highly emotional read. You will be grabbing the tissues with this book. Beautifully written and I am looking forward to reading what else this author has in store.
{Copied from goodreads}
Longer review to come on a reread, but I loved this book for its exploration of grief and anger and mental health. Lea…. I loved her and what we could see of her. And the plotline with Rumi’s mother was so sad and real and yes. This whole book was so real and poignant, and I just adore the Hawaiian dialect! The characters were amazing, I loved both the diverse representation and the real feeling interactions between them all. Kai was hilarious and some of Rumi’s thoughts, particularly her ‘compliment sandwiches’ made me laugh out loud.
I wasn’t as into the ace sexual representation, I understand that Rumi didn’t like that one kiss but to me that doesn’t automatically mean all that she assumed. And of course I don’t agree with that conclusion, given my faith and views. Sad. There was also some language, but really, unless either of those things really bothers you as a reader, this book is worth the read still. The writing style and story itself is lovely and deep and heartbreakingly beautiful.
I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of contemporary literature, but when The Novel Neighbor recommended books with asexual main characters, I knew they wouldn’t steer me wrong! Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman was one of their recommendations, and it was absolutely stunning!
Essentially, the novel is about a girl named Rumi, who’s mother sends her away to live with her aunt in Hawaii, after her sister, Lea, tragically dies in a car accident. The book follows Rumi as she tries to cope with the overwhelming grief from losing her sister and having her mother abandon her. Rumi is determined to do one last thing for her sister by writing the song they had started, but how can she finish the song if she can’t find her way back to the music?
On the surface, this book is such a simple story, but it is so beautifully written, and that’s what makes it truly stand out. Rumi’s friendship with Kai and her hesitant bond with Mr. Watanabe goes to show that grief is not something that should be dealt with by oneself. Although Rumi feels alone throughout most of the novel, her relationships with her neighbors and her aunt slowly help her heal.
While the fact that Rumi is asexual takes a back seat to her grief, it is still a vital part of the story. She reflects on heart-to-hearts with her sister when she was confused about her identity, or not wanting to label her sexuality, or simply feeling like she was different from everyone else. The novel focuses a little on Rumi’s asexuality, and perhaps the best part about it is that the character who support her through her grief also accept her for who she is.
Overall, this book is wonderfully written and it will certainly tug at your heartstrings. It is a quick read, but definitely not a light read. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially if you’re looking for a good book with asexual representation!
Achingly beautiful and exquisitely crafted, Summer Bird Blue is an emotionally raw and utterly honest story about loss, about hope, and about finding the courage to sing your own song. Akemi Dawn Bowman’s writing is lyrical and full of life. I was riveted from the first page.
Summer Bird Blue is a quiet but powerful exploration of music and love, and their ability to heal grief over time. Like my favorite sad songs, this book settled deep into my heart and refused to let go
A beautifully complex exploration of grief, guilt, and the healing power of art and friendship. Akemi Dawn Bowman’s Summer Bird Blue will make your heart ache and leave your soul hopeful.