The Summer I Turned Pretty is a novel by Jenny Han that tells the story of Belly, a teenage girl who spends her summer with her family at the beach house. The novel follows Belly as she navigates through the ups and downs of her teenage years, including falling in love for the first time and dealing with family drama.
Belly is a relatable character who readers can easily connect with. She is down-to-earth and honest, and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Throughout the novel, Belly faces many challenges but she never gives up. She is strong and determined, and ultimately learns a lot about herself.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is a great read for anyone who is looking for a coming-of-age story that is both heartwarming and relatable. If you are a fan of Jenny Han’s writing, then you will definitely enjoy this novel.
The main issue arises when several guys get in the way of Belly’s emotions, as she cannot decide which one to love since they all appear to be excellent individuals. Jeremiah Fisher is Susannah Fisher’s son (Belly’s mother’s closest pal). They always have a good time at the beach and at home, but he adores Belly. In addition, Conrad Fisher is one of Susannah’s sons. He is the individual with whom Belly has always had feelings but who hasn’t responded to people honestly because he is rebellious and obstinate.
Lastly, Steven “Little Stevie” Shephard is the school jock that every girl wants to date, but he likes Belly too. The main conflict in the novel is figuring out who she will choose in the end and if she should continue to have feelings for Conrad.
Belly goes through a lot of emotional changes throughout the novel. The most notable change is when she turns pretty over the summer. At first, she loves all of the attention she gets from being beautiful and all of the compliments, but then later on in the summer, people start treating her differently because of her looks.
The boys at school become more interested in her and start to act differently around her which makes her feel uncomfortable. The only person who doesn’t change the way they treat her is Conrad. He has always been honest with her and treated her the same even after she turns pretty. This makes Belly realize that she has always had feelings for him and that she wants to be with him.
Jenny Han does a great job of developing the characters in The Summer I Turned Pretty. The three main characters, Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah, are all fleshed out and have their own unique personalities. Belly is a self-conscious girl who is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in life. Conrad is a rebellious boy who doesn’t always show his true emotions. Jeremiah is the funny guy who is always making people laugh. The characters are developed so well that readers can easily connect with them and feel invested in their story.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is a great novel that deals with love, friendship, and self-discovery. The characters are relatable and the story is engaging. The novel is perfect for anyone who is looking for a light read that will leave them feeling happy and content.
Isabels (Belly) mother is a wonderful woman who supports her completely. She has been in love with him since they were young, and he understands how precious she is to him. He’s very intelligent, knows what’s ahead of him, and has plans for the future.
Belly and Cam have a positive relationship throughout the summer. Isabel (Belly) Conklin is an extremely dramatic character who is determined and caring throughout the book. For example, when she was jealous, she was incredibly dramatic. When her crush Conrad always had his attention on another female, she became enraged.
The girl Conrad had wanted to come see was me, not some other girl” (Han, Jenny. The Summer I Turned Pretty. New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2009. Print). Isabel is determined when it comes to following her dreams. Lastly, she is caring towards her loved ones especially her family and friends.
Overall, all the characters in The Summer I Turned Pretty have their own personality that makes the novel interesting to read. The relationships between the characters are also very important in the novel. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a really good book to read if you want to know more about relationships and different types of personalities.
For example, I got a clear visual of many of the characters’ inner and external characteristics. I also thought the message in this narrative was fantastic: how it began and how it concluded.
However, I was dissatisfied with this book because the author crammed too much information and characters profiles into it, but not enough descriptions of the setting and world around the characters. I’d want to know more about where they lived, how the beach looked, whether they stayed in a busy or tranquil location, and whether it was close to local businesses or not.
The author did give some description, but I felt like it was more from the characters’ point of view instead of an outside look of the world around them. Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty is a novel about love, loss, and growing up. The story follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin and her friends as they spend their summers at their beach house on Cousins Beach.
Belly falls in love with Conrad Fisher, the boy next door, and must deal with the loss of her mother and her own changing body as she grows up. The novel is told from Belly’s perspective, and readers get to see her thoughts and feelings about the people and events in her life.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is a coming-of-age story that will resonate with many readers. The characters are well-developed and likable, and the story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The novel deals with some heavy topics, but Han handles them with sensitivity and care. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a touching story about growing up and learning to love oneself. Highly recommend.
