Book description
" SUMMER OF '42 is a charming and tender novel...The overall effect is one of high hilarity. Raucher is a comic-artist who is able to convey the fears and joys...of the boy and at the same time give older readers a wrench in the heart. " - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A…
Why read it?
1 author picked Summer of '42 as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
I read The Summer of ‘42 in the spring of ’71, before the movie came out. Having been a teen in the 1940s, my father was intrigued by the title and bought it. I remember him laughing out loud, more than once. Being a curious fifteen-year-old, I had to find out what the hoopla was. Pubescent stirrings, mostly—that awkward stage in life, relatable no matter the era or place. In this case, love’s call comes during a summer vacation in 1942 on Nantucket Island. Hermie, his best friend, Oscy, and their nerd buddy, Benjie, are obsessed with sex—how to…
From Micki's list on heart-tugging coming-of-age for aging readers.
If you love Summer of '42...
These Blue Mountains
A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.
German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…
Want books like Summer of '42?
Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Summer of '42.
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,395
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Summer of '42, you might also like...
In Bad Faith
Nelson West, a former Chicago homicide detective, is hired by wealthy heir Lionel Bing to discreetly help “fix” scandals and legal problems for his father’s wealthy friends.
Bing, a brilliant but troubled investigator, suffers from PTSD symptoms as a result of being kidnapped and witnessing the murder of his mother…
Your Sun Will Rise Again
Your Sun Will Rise Again is a powerful collection of poetic reflections on hope, resilience, and the human spirit. Written with sincerity and depth, these poems speak directly to those navigating life’s challenges, offering comfort, clarity, and quiet strength in difficult moments.
Through simple yet profound language, the book reminds…
