In “Stella’s Very Special Summer,” author Carol Lunney-Hampson takes readers on a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s. Set in a small cabin in the Catskill Mountains of New York, the story follows 11-year-old Stella and her family as they spend the summer of 1955 in their cabin by the river. But while the summer is full of adventure and excitement for Stella, her family faces numerous challenges that threaten to upend their idyllic summer.
One of the biggest challenges faced by Stella’s family is financial. Stella’s parents incurred hospital debt from the tonsillectomies of her younger twin siblings, and they are struggling to make the loan payments on their cabin. The family rents out small cabins and rowboats and sells fish bait to supplement the father’s income of a bakery salesman in the city. Losing the cabin would mean losing their home away from home and a special place filled with treasured memories.
However, the financial difficulties faced by Stella’s family pale in comparison to the tragedy that strikes one of their close family friends. A fire breaks out on their farm, and the result of this tragedy changes many special summer activities.
Then the infamous Hurricane Diane of August 1955 hits the Northeast, including Stella’s fish camp. The hurricane causes widespread devastation and nearly drowns Stella’s mother. The family’s struggle to survive the hurricane is a harrowing reminder of nature’s power and the human spirit’s resilience.
The challenges Stella’s family faces in “Stella’s Very Special Summer“ are not unique to them. Many families in the 1950s faced financial difficulties, and medical expenses such as tonsillectomies could be a significant burden.
However, what sets Stella’s story apart is the way in which the family faces these challenges. Despite their struggles, they remain committed to each other and their cabin by the river. They work together to find solutions to their problems and never give up hope that they can overcome the obstacles in their path.
“Stella’s Very Special Summer“ is not just a story about a family’s summer vacation. It is a story about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and the possibility of a brighter future.
For readers who are facing their own challenges, “Stella’s Very Special Summer“ is a source of inspiration and hope. It shows that no matter how difficult the situation may seem, there is always a way to persevere and come out on the other side.
In conclusion, “Stella’s Very Special Summer“ is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Despite facing numerous challenges, Stella’s family never gives up hope and remains committed to each other and their beloved cabin by the river. Their story is one of inspiration and hope and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way forward.