“Stella’s Very Special Summer“ is a heartwarming tale that takes us back to the summer of 1955, when families packed up their cars and headed to the mountains, beaches, and other vacation spots to escape the city. The author, Carol Lunney-Hampson has crafted a nostalgic and captivating story that transports readers back to a simpler time.
Eleven-year-old Stella leaves her small hometown with her mother, brother, four-year-old twins, and their dog to spend the summer in their cabin along the river, just a few hours from New York City. Her father can only join them on weekends due to work commitments. The family runs part of a fish camp, where they rent out small cabins, rowboats and sell bait to make ends meet.
But the summer is not all fun and games for Stella and her family. They have hospital debt from the twins’ tonsillectomies and other financial misfortunes, and they fear not being able to keep up with the loan payments, which could result in them losing the cabin. Furthermore, a tragic fire, and later the infamous Hurricane Diane of August 1955 devastates the Northeast area, including the fish camp, and nearly drowns Stella’s mother.
Despite these challenges, Stella finds joy in exploring the forest and river, picking mayapples and sweet corn, catching earthworms, clippers, and lamprey eels. She also forms a special relationship with a huge white horse and its owner, and learns the basics of grooming and riding. Stella’s love for the horse is one of the book’s central themes, and it adds a touch of whimsy and wonder to the story.
Throughout the book, the plot includes a mysterious Mafia gangster, One-Hand Sid, who roams the mountains, avoiding the police and trying to stay alive. Sid becomes a critical piece of the family’s puzzle to keep the cabin. The presence of the gangster adds an element of danger and intrigue to the story, and it keeps the reader engaged and guessing about what will happen next.
One of the most appealing aspects of “Stella’s Very Special Summer“ is its ability to transport readers back in time. The book is a perfect example of how literature can serve as a time capsule, preserving the sights, sounds, and smells of a particular era for future generations to experience. For readers who grew up in the 1950s or earlier, the book is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, evoking memories of summer vacations spent with family and friends.
But the book is not just for readers who have a personal connection to the era. Young readers who have never experienced life without TVs and iPads and Play Stations will find Stella’s story a fascinating glimpse into a time when kids had to rely on their imagination and creativity to entertain themselves. Stella’s adventures in the forest and river demonstrate the joy of exploring nature and the rewards of being self-sufficient.
The book is also a reminder of the resilience and strength of families. Despite the challenges Stella’s family faces, they remain committed to each other and preserving their way of life. The book highlights the importance of family bonds and the power of love and determination to overcome adversity.
Overall, “Stella’s Very Special Summer“ by Carol Lunney-Hampson is a heartwarming and nostalgic trip back in time to the summer of 1955. It captures the essence of a simpler time where kids explored the outdoors, rode horses, and helped their families in any way they could. The book also touches on important historical events such as Hurricane Diane and the polio epidemic, which adds depth to the story and reminds us of the challenges that people faced in the past. Whether you’re an older reader looking to relive your own childhood memories or a younger reader interested in learning about life in the 1950s, “Stella’s Very Special Summer“ is a must-read.