Title: Saving June
Author: Hannah Harrington
First published May 1, 2011
336 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781921794094 (ISBN10: 1921794097)
Rating: 3.96
Overview
Harper Scott’s sister, June, was always the golden child. But when June takes her own life just days before graduation, Harper is left shattered and confused.
With no explanation as to why, Harper’s parents decide to divide June’s ashes between them. But Harper has other plans – she’ll steal June’s ashes and embark on a cross-country road trip to California with her best friend, Laney.
There, they’ll scatter June’s ashes in the place she always dreamed of visiting. Along the way, they meet Jake Tolan, a boy with a bad attitude and a love for classic rock.
Despite their differences, Jake has a connection to June that Harper can’t ignore. But Jake is hiding a secret that could tear Harper’s life apart once again.
With his belief that music can heal any wound, Jake might just be the one to help Harper find peace in the wake of her sister’s death.
About the Author
Although I’m not particularly fond of Pina Coladas, I must admit that I do love being caught in the rain. By the way, I’m also an author who specializes in writing for young adults.
Harlequin Teen published my debut novel, SAVING JUNE, back in 2011, and I’m thrilled to announce that my second novel, SPEECHLESS, will be hitting the shelves on August 28th, 2012!
Editoral Review
Saving June is a young adult novel written by Hannah Harrington that explores themes of grief, identity, and self-discovery. First published on May 1, 2011, Saving June follows the journey of Harper Scott, a seventeen-year-old girl who embarks on a road trip with her best friend Laney to fulfill the final wishes of her late sister June, who recently took her own life.
Harrington skillfully weaves a poignant and emotionally charged story that explores the complexities of grief and mental health. Through the eyes of Harper, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery as she confronts her own fears, insecurities, and regrets.
Harrington’s writing style is accessible and engaging, with a strong voice that is both relatable and authentic. Set against the backdrop of the American Midwest, the novel is filled with vivid descriptions of small towns, cornfields, and roadside diners.
Harrington captures the essence of the region and brings it to life, while also exploring the unique challenges and opportunities that come with living in a small town. One of the strengths of Saving June is its character development.
Harrington’s characters are complex, multidimensional, and well-rounded. Harper, in particular, is a compelling protagonist, who grows and evolves throughout the course of the novel.
Harrington masterfully navigates the challenges of portraying the inner life of a teenager, balancing the character’s angst and vulnerability with a sense of hope and optimism. However, the pacing of the novel can be slow at times, and some readers may find themselves getting restless at certain points.
Additionally, the book contains some mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all young adult readers. One possible limitation of the novel is that it may not break much new ground in terms of representation or diversity.
The book features a largely white, middle-class cast of characters, and does not delve deeply into issues of race or ethnicity. Overall, Saving June is a well-crafted and emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to young adult readers who enjoy character-driven stories.
It effectively explores themes of grief and self-discovery, while also offering an engaging and accessible writing style. Readers who are looking for an introspective and thought-provoking read will find much to enjoy in this book.
Score: 4 out of 5 stars.
