A Summer without Anna

by Kate Jenks Landry, Risa Hugo

Overview

Junie misses her sister – and their summers together before Anna got sick.

When Junie’s mum and dad leave her at Nan and Pop’s house for the summer, they promise they’ll be back to get her “the minute Anna’s well enough.” Then they hand her Anna’s camera with a note that reads, “In case you find Edmund.” Junie spends her days floating in the lake, fishing with Pop and taking lots of pictures – though none of Edmund, the elusive giant turtle. Edmund will have to wait, just like Junie’s waiting, until Junie finally gets to see her sister again.

A heartfelt tribute to the love between siblings, certain to resonate with any child missing the people they love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525313653
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	06/03/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	28 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Kate Jenks Landry is an author of books for young people and an educator. Her debut picture book, Beatrice and Barb, published with Kids Can Press. She is a graduate of the creative writing program at the University of Toronto. Kate lives with her family in Kitchener, Ontario.

Risa Hugo is the illustrator of a number of children's books, including Why Are You So Quiet?, Leopold's Leotard and Métis Like Me. She is the author-illustrator of the picture book Shadow. Risa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She spent most of her childhood living between Japan and Canada, and currently resides in British Columbia with her family.

Editorial Reviews

... captures the kind of homesickness and anxiety that come from long-distance worrying about a loved one ...—Kirkus Reviews

A sensitive and honest story dealing with the illness of a sibling. Strong first buy.—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2025-03-08
A child spends a long summer with grandparents.

Junie's sister Anna is ill; her condition is severe enough that Junie must stay with Nan and Pop while Mum and Dad care for Anna. They leave Junie with the promise that they’ll return “the minute Anna’s well enough.” The children have a positive relationship, and Anna even gives Junie her camera, though she writes in a letter that it’s just a loan and Junie “better not break it.” This slow-moving depiction of sadness mostly focuses on what Junie eats, sees, and photographs; a brief mention of “Edmund” in the beginning turns out to refer to an ancient turtle living in a nearby lake. The story captures the kind of homesickness and anxiety that come from long-distance worrying about a loved one—it’s long and meandering, with a few bright spots against an otherwise dreary background. Not much happens, and since Junie stoically endures this difficult situation but doesn’t take much action, the happy ending is a relief but somehow doesn’t feel satisfying. Blocky illustrations in colored pencil and pastel mostly reflect the text directly, adding a layer of stillness and calm to the overall subdued tale. All characters are light-skinned.

A realistically somber—if less than compelling—snapshot of a summer marked by sadness and uneasiness.(Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews