Summer of Mud

by Rebecca Bischoff

In the summer of 1976, Scoob, a twelve-year-old musical prodigy, dreams of becoming a jazz legend like the great Louis Armstrong. But first, she needs to get off the streets. When Scoob lands a paying gig, she thinks her luck is about to change—she now has the chance to play in front of a famous band leader with his own TV show. This could be her big break! But Scoob’s older brother, RC, drags his little sister along on an unwelcome road trip. Broke and unable to afford food, Scoob and RC “borrow” gas along the way until they find themselves stuck in the small town of Rexburg, Idaho. The idyllic farming community is buzzing with controversy over a newly built dam, with residents divided over the safety of the structure.
Stranded in the tiny town and pestered by a growing group of well-meaning locals, Scoob tries her best to get back home to California and her audition, struggling to understand why her brother doesn’t seem to want to leave. RC is hiding something, and Scoob soon discovers he isn’t being honest with her. On a warm summer morning, a heartbroken Scoob decides to head home on her own, but that very day, Rexburg’s new dam springs a leak. Within a few short hours, a wall of water is rushing toward the tiny town, destroying everything in its path. Scoob must fight for her life and face mounting odds as she tries to decide what really matters.

Genres: Middle Grade

312 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Rebecca Bischoff is the author of five books including: "The French Impressionist," a contemporary YA novel, "The Grave Digger," a middle grade historical fiction mystery set in the Civil War era, "Hole in the Rock," a humorous middle grade novel, and "Streets of Shadow," a historical YA mystery set in 17th century Scotland. Both "The Grave Digger" and "Hole in the Rock" were honored as finalists in the Best Book Awards for 2019 and 2021, respectively. "Streets of Shadow" was recently honored with a silver medal in the Reader's Choice Awards of 2023. A new historical middle grade novel, "The Summer of Mud," is being released in May, 2024. Rebecca is an avid reader, Netflix binge-watcher and chocolate eater. She lives in Idaho with her family.

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Rebecca has the ability to transport you into the story where it feels real, has depth and is vividly rich in its telling. A place where you feel right alongside the wonderfully written characters. This is one of the many things she does right with all the stories I have read written by her.
It’s funny to me how a book that is set in 1976 is now classified as a historical tale. But I guess at my age now I am just as historic having been born in 1962. Any how I digress.
Summer of Mud is a compelling heartfelt and fun coming of age historical YA novel that takes you back in time when life was much different to the world of today.
We follow Scoob who has dreams, but those dreams may never come to fruition. Tragedy strikes causing emotional turmoil and Scoob to reevaluate somethings and the importance of Family. The relationship she has with her brother is endearing.
This gripping tale had a few twisty turns and had me on the edge of my seat and the ending…. Well, you will have to read it to find out what happens.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the summer of 1976 and Scoob has the chance of a lifetime to play trumpet with a band. Even though she is only eleven, she is talented beyond her years but when her brother RC insists they are heading out of town so he can perform at a music festival, Scoob has no choice but to follow. Scoob learns some tough lessons in life all the while trying to get back to audition for a major band. Life has a way of taking turns you do not expect though and Scoob will turn twelve soon and life lessons are going to be a bit harder to swallow, but hope is a powerful thing.

This was intriguing. I think the author got the vibe of the seventies correct, it was a different time and people were a bit more carefree and open. Scoob's story was a bit heartbreaking as she had her own life path she wanted to follow. Was pulled in and curious where the story would go.

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Home wasn't only a place. A place meant nothing unless people you loved were there. And I had plenty of people who loved me."

5 Exuberant Stars! Summer of Mud is a captivating, immersive novel that pulls readers back in time to 1976, traversing from California to Idaho, and taking us through a very real disaster. It is a story about family -- the families we are born into and the ones we build around us -- and rising up out of tragedy. It is a story about music and creating something beautiful where there once was silence. It is, most of all, a story about hope. I fell in love with Scoob from the very first page and cheered her on throughout her up-and-down journey during this life-changing summer.

[Brandy Jo Rymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Mud was such a heartwarming book about the true kindness of people and a lesson of perseverance. Rebecca Bischoff has written a real tear-jerker novel with such a strong lesson that life may not always bring what we expect, but good things are yet to come if we persevere. As we meet our main characters, Scoob and RC, we see they are doing everything they can to make ends meet for their survival. They had their mother leave them years ago, and after their father passed the year prior, they became homeless, all they had was their musical instruments and each other. Musical talent does not have an age limit, as we see through the brilliant trumpet playing of Scoob, a 12-year-old prodigy who is determined to find a gig playing in a band to help support her and her older brother. Unfortunately, RC has other plans for the two of them, taking them far from home in California, to take a road trip to where he claims to have a big job playing in a music festival. To Scoob's surprise, they end up in Rexburg, Idaho where they meet up with a girl in a restaurant, Cherish, who RC seems to have a crush on and doesn't seem to be in any hurry to leave. Scoob and RC meet so many different types of people, from snobbish locals, and suspicious shop owners, as well as police officers looking to question them. They finally come across some nice, good Samaritans who are all about helping those in need with no questions asked on whether they were being honest about who they were or the situation that brought them to town.

This book is a great read that had me in tears by the last few chapters as I followed our characters through their ups and downs. There were times when I wasn't sure if they would be able to make it through all of the situations that they were caught up in. There were moments when I was in shock by the outcomes that didn't seem like they could ever survive, it just broke my heart. If I could give this story more than 5 stars I would, because it was such a beautiful story showing how strong community is, especially when times are tough.
@Brandy Rymer
05/2024

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scoob and RC are a brother and sister duo who have been through a lot, but they both get their therapy through music, RC with his guitar and Scoob with her trumpet. She is so good that at the tender age of twelve, she has an audition for a local band who plays in one of her favourite restaurants, it is somewhere she knows well and is more than excited to play there, but just as she finds out that her audition was successful, her brother has some news for her as well, unfortunately for Scoob, it completely derails her dream.

It turns out that RC has a gig, but it's not in their California home, not that they have much of a home on the streets homeless, but at least they are together, but this road trip to a festival takes her further away from her gig and from the opportunity it would give her to play in front of a major producer, so Scoob hatches a plan. Once they are on the road and RC tells her she has no choice but to go, however, Scoob is not in the mood to hear, so as soon as she can, she calls to find out when she needs to be home so that she can play in front of this extra special guest.

Unfortunately, this road trip becomes a bit dicey as RC decides to borrow some items along the way, Scoob is appalled, but when she sees their next stop in a tiny town called Rexburg and this is where things get really interesting. As they become embroiled in the drama around a new dam and how safe it is, as well as keeping up their cover about why they are there, Scoob and RC drift further apart as she feels like he is hiding something and when it all becomes too much and she decides to go it alone, disaster strikes and the controversial dam fails, causing a huge wave to smash towards Scoob, will she be able to survive the watery onslaught and see what the future brings, or will she end up in a watery grave? This is an emotional tale of a sibling roadtrip, with a rollercoaster of emotions throughout as truth, lies and secrets create a web of entanglement which you will untangle along with Scoob in this book you will not want to put down.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

You are crying. I am not crying. There are so many emotions in this book. How could you not be angry at RC? Were you not proud of Scoob when she won her trumpet back? Everyone knows you were anxious waiting to hear about Cherish. And, when Scoob found out who the three little girls in the picture were, you know you were thrilled but also so very sad.

Scoob and her brother, RC, have had the worst year of their lives. It actually started before that when their mother left without a word. In the last year, their father died suddenly, leaving them unprepared. RC was barely an adult and left to care for his 11 year old sister. They struggled, lost their apartment and all their belongings, lived on the beach and anywhere else they could find to sleep. The only thing they did have was each other.

Two days before her 12th birthday, Scoob tries out for a local band leader that she has known all her life. He agrees to let her play in the band for tips. Scoob can’t wait to start playing when RC packs her in car and tells her that they are on the way to Montana for a music festival where he has a job. On the way to Montana, they take a detour to Idaho. RC meets a girl and the detour keeps getting extended.

When RC finally comes clean to Scoob about everything, it turns out that he lied. RC didn’t have a job in Montana, he has known the girl for almost a year, they are moving to Idaho, and Scoob is supposed to live with some family while RC attends a local college. Just as Scoob has found a way back to California, the town she is staying in is flooded by a broken dam and chaos ensues. What happens next is just … devastating, amazing, outstanding, heartbreaking, fantastic. Yep.

Read this book for an emotional rollercoaster ride. Read this book to remember the bond between siblings. Read this book for the history of this small Idaho town. Read this book for hope.

[Rebecca Bischoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

The Summer of Mud is a work of fiction in the coming of age, recent historical fiction, and slice-of-life subgenres. The work is best suited to mature teen and adult readers. Penned by author Rebecca Bischoff, the plot follows twelve-year-old Scoob, a musical prodigy dreaming of jazz stardom as she navigates the challenges of the summer of 1976. Landing a gig seems like her big break, but her plans are disrupted when her older brother RC takes her on an unexpected road trip. Stranded in Rexburg, Idaho, they become entangled in a community divided over a newly built dam. As Scoob struggles to return home for her audition, she discovers RC's hidden secrets. When disaster strikes with the dam's leak, Scoob faces a fight for survival and learns what truly matters in life.

Author Rebecca Bischoff puts heart and soul into this emotive coming-of-age tale to craft a captivating experience, immersing readers fully in Scoob's journey of self-discovery and resilience. The vivid depiction of 1976 leaps off the page at you right from the start, bringing the recent past back in full living color with immersive descriptive language and atmospheric, moody undertones. The intricacies of Scoob's relationships, particularly with her brother RC, are well-realized with realistic and amusing dialogue that sets up their complex relationship and lets a lot of the hidden details play out naturally between the lines. The tension builds steadily as the story unfolds, with plenty of heart-wrenching and surprising twists before it culminates in a gripping climax that kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall, readers seeking an emotive drama with masterful storytelling and compelling characters will certainly enjoy The Summer of Mud.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Summer of Mud by Rebecca Bischoff is an intriguing adventure story, a bit of a self-discovery story which is aimed at middle grade aged children (8 to 12 years old). I always enjoy Ms. Bischoff’s stories as she has a knack of painting such vivid imagery that her stories come to life, playing out before my eyes in rich detail.
Scoob is a talented 12 year-old musical whizz, with jazz music igniting her blood and soul. With the chance of a lifetime up for grabs, Scoob is excited for the opportunity to shape her future by getting her big-break and making her dreams come true…. But instead, she finds herself on a bit of an unwanted road-trip with her older brother. Soon, circumstances have them stranded in a small town in Idaho, where neither could have foreseen or prepared for what happens next. When a catastrophic disaster strikes, the story becomes a fight for survival. Throw in some secrets, family dynamics, emotion, suspense, tension, dramatic developments, love, loss, heart-wrenching details, twists, community, controversy, and finding what really matters- I found this story hard to put down.
What made this story even more intriguing, for me, was the fact that it is set against a real-life historical event, the Teton Dam Flood in 1976- where the Teton Dam wall catastrophically collapsed, releasing a deluge of water to engulf several towns in its path. The devastating aftermath, absolutely heartbreaking….

Well worth the read!
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Rebecca Bischoff!

[Sharon the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
This was a great coming of age story with a lot of heart and heartache. Lessons learned, bad decisions made, forgiveness given, and love found.

Scoob and RC, siblings, are both extremely talented musicians. They’ve also been dealt more than their share of hard situations. With the passing of both parents- they are homeless and trying to find ways to survive. They take off on a road trip and end up in Idaho where they meet people that change their lives, and it’s not all sunshine and potatoes. Catastrophe has a way of bringing out either the best or worst in people- they come to find out how it will affect them.

I used to live near Rexburg, and have been to the Teton Dam museum. It made the story even more alive to me- and I was already into the story because of the descriptive writing and how invested I was in the characters.

“I tossed another jagged bit of stone from the edge of the cliff and watched it fall into the deep water below, wishing people could throw away their sadness just like that. That we could take whatever was weighing us down, tie it to a rock, and toss it as far from us as we could. Poof! No more sadness.”

“ I tucked my legs under me, opened my book, and dove into the story, ignoring the world as it flew by.”

“Home wasn’t only a place. A place meant nothing unless people you loved were there.”

“It’s not where you come from. It’s where you’re going that counts.” Ella Fitzgerald

I was sent the ebook by BookSirens for my honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and at times heartbreaking YA novel which kept me captivated throughout. The wonderfully detailed description narrative transported me back to the summer of 1976, making me feel immersed in the story. Twelve year old Scoob is a musical prodigy who dreams of becoming a jazz legend. Having lost her parents her older brother RC looks after her, but they have ended up on the streets and don’t even have money for food. Just as Scoob gets a paying gig and a chance of getting the attention of a famous band leader on tv, RC drags her off on a mysterious road trip. The siblings find themselves stuck in the small town of Rexburg, Idaho.
Within the idyllic farming community the residents are divided over the safety of a newly built dam. Meanwhile the well-meaning locals want to help Scoob and RC, but she just wants to return home and to her audition. Scoob is heartbroken when she learns that RC has not been honest with her. She decides to return home on her own, but then the dam springs a leak. Soon a wall of water is heading for the town destroying everything in its path. As Scoob fights for her life she has to decide what really matters to her. This story literally took me on an emotional rollercoaster and I found it was a real page turner.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Mud by Rebecca Bischoff is an interesting book about a young girl who has big dreams. There is quite a bit of emotion in this book and the author had a great writing style that brought even more depth to the story. Even though this book was made more for the younger audience, I found it to be extremely entertaining and the characters were wonderfully created and animated in the book. This is a magnificent coming of age story that intertwines adventure and emotion. The main character, Scoob, is a character that is so easy to follow in the book. She is engaging and relatable and I found myself willing things to turn out for her the whole way through the book. The journey she goes on is captivating and absolutely amazing to watch unfold, and I loved how she is learning about herself and how to handle life.
I felt that the overall pace of the book matched the feel of the story, Rebecca did a great job of making sure you didn't feel lost in the story. The characters go through a major development, which only made reading about them even more enjoyable. This is a brilliant story that I would highly recommend to anybody who is looking for a great read!

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting YA read. It also has historical elements and the author does an amazing job of transporting you back to that time period. One thing I loved was seeing the growth of Scoob through the story. She seemed to develop from a child who was souly focused on her own wants and dreams to maturing and realise that sometimes things aren't all about you.
This story is fast paced, and in parts heartbreaking.
Scoob is a talented young child. When she lands a job playing in a jazz band and a possible meeting with someone very influencel in the industry. It seems her life and dreams finally have a chance to come true, that is until her brother takes her away.
RC makes her leave to attend a music festival however that isn't the real reason they are leaving. What is RC hiding.
When a dam breaks flooding the town they are living in it leads to chaos and heartbreak for everyone.
This is an emotional rollercoaster of a story. The love between the siblings shines through from beginning to end, even when Scoob was angry at RC you still feel the bond between them. When things go wrong does Scoob realise what is more important. Following her dream or her brother.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Summer of Mud" by Rebecca Bischoff is a gripping novel set in the summer of 1976, following the story of twelve-year-old musical prodigy Scoob as she navigates the challenges of being stuck in a small town in Idaho with her older brother, RC. As Scoob dreams of becoming a jazz legend like Louis Armstrong, she faces the dilemma of choosing between her big break in the music industry and helping her brother unravel his mysterious past.

The author expertly weaves together themes of family, friendship, and perseverance against the backdrop of a divided community grappling with the safety of a newly built dam. Bischoff's writing is captivating and emotionally resonant, drawing you into Scoob's journey of self-discovery and resilience.

The plot is fast-paced and engaging, with a perfect blend of mystery and suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each facing their own struggles and challenges that add depth to the narrative.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed reading from beginning to end. I enjoyed the author’s writing style as well as their attention to details that make the story come to life. I also enjoyed how the author kept the story engaging throughout. There is alot going on in this story but the author did a great job of keeping you wanting to know more. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story. It is easy to read and entertaining as well. There is great growth of the plot as well as the characters throughout the story. This is a story about Scoob and how she and her older brother get stuck in a small town. But what happens with the town’s dam leaks and she is left to figure out what is really important to her. I enjoyed her character and what she brought to the story. She is a strong character that I had no trouble relating to. She adds so much to the story and is my favorite. I really enjoyed reading this story and it is one you don’t want to miss out on. I highly recommend this book.

[Heidi Eich Woodring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Mud by Rebecca Bischoff is emotional coming of age story about Scoob and RC whom are siblings and Both are very talented musicians but who has also been dealt with so much from losing their parents to being homeless. RC decides to take a road trip to a festival where a job awaits him and he must bring his sister with him. Along the way they get stuck in the small town of Rexburg, Idaho. This town is buzzing with drama over the new dam that was built and so many worried about its safety. Scoob is all about wanting to get back to finally be able to play for band leader hoping this could be here big chance and just as she was about to get her way back, all heck breaks lose in Rexburg and the town is being flooded.
This book is filled with so much emotion, devastation, lessons, bad choices, and forgiveness. I could NOT put this book down and read it In one sitting. I was fully thrown into the world of RC, Scoob, and Rexburg and did not want to leave. Truly a great read and HIGHLY recommend this!!!

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Mud by Rebecca Bischoff. This is an amazing coming of age story set in 1976 that sticks with you long after you've finished it. It's the story of Scoob and her brother RC who are both musical prodigies. They have been dealt a hard hand in life losing both of their parents at a very young age and have found themselves homeless. When Scoob gets a gig she just knows that this is the break she has been waiting for. RC wants her to go on a road trip so she gives up the gig to go with him but they are broke and find themselves in a small town in Idaho, not sure where their next meal is going to come from. This town is a farming town that is up in arms over a newly built dam. When another tragedy comes within striking distance of Scoob and her brother it can either break them or make them. Its a story of family, loyalty and a tale of simpler times. I truly enjoyed every minute of this book. It's one I wish I could read again for the first time!

[Shadel ayerbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer of Mud by Rebecca Bischoff is a great historical children book

Twelve-year-old musical prodigy Scoob hopes to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Louis Armstrong and become a jazz legend in the summer of 1976. She must, however, leave the streets first. Scoob believes her luck is going to change when she gets a lucrative gig; she gets to perform in front of a well-known band leader who has his own TV show. However, RC, Scoob's elder brother, takes his younger sister along on an unwanted road trip. Scoob and RC are broke and unable to buy food, so they "borrow" gas along the route until they become stuck in the tiny Idaho town of Rexburg. Residents of the picturesque rural village are divided over the safety of a recently constructed dam, which is the subject of intense discussion.

Every page was exciting and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. The story really brings us into their world. I couldn’t put the book down.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of RC and Scoob, a brother and sister who are doing everything they can to keep their lives together. It's been a rough couple of years with their mom walking out and then their dad dying in a freak accident. RC is so excited when he gets a vehicle for him and Scoob and when he picks her up, life is grand. Scoob has good news too but it's short-lived as RC basically kidnaps her and they head to Montana.

There are so many emotions in this story! One minute, RC is the best big brother ever and the next I want to smack him upside his head. I really felt for Scoob on many different levels as she's trying her hardest but she's only 12 years old and doesn't have the level of maturity to be doing life all on her own. She's resilient though and I admire her strength and courage.

This is a great read and I recommend it! It's geared for middle grades but this "old girl" really enjoyed it.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was impossible to put down! I lost quite a bit of sleep just trying to finish this book and find out what happened. The sheer number of emotions that coursed through me while reading about Scoob and RC is astonishing. There were several times I had to stop and reach for tissues because a moment caught me off guard and caused a few tears. It’s not all sad or gloomy as there are plenty of heartwarming moments throughout this story. I’m still such a band nerd for the trumpet, so this book touched more of my heart than I had expected. The flow of the story is magnificent, and everything unfolded so naturally. The relationship between RC and Scoob definitely exemplified siblings, and I truly loved seeing them fight together to make it through. If you are looking for an emotional rollercoaster with strong family dynamics, and yes, possibly shed a few tears, then this book is for you. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. Scoob, a 12 year old girl, was an interestingly consistent character from start to finish. She was spirited and ambitious, a real force. All of that made her an intriguing protagonist. I was rather surprised and pleasantly so, that the book created more than a few intense emotional moments, enough that the story held my interest from start to finish. Many of those moments centered around the sibling relationship of Scoob and RC (Scoob’s older brother). They definitely had their struggles with each other and RC made a very reliable antagonist. Many secondary characters show up in the book as well, and it was fun to see how they all interacted and connected. I think Summer of Mud would be an excellent book for teen readers. The story moved quickly and was filled with relatable tension and nothing obscene or provocative in the entire book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story. I liked the suspense and drama that follow these two along. This pulls on the ol’heart strings for a couple reasons. None that I will mention because of spoilers but believe me they are there. I really kept tuned into these two main character’s, which are kids. I felt sorry for them and was very suspicious of RC more than once. This is told from Scoob’s point of view and while she is a twelve year old she seems much older at times. In the end it shows the strength, endurance and love can help some prosper. I loved all the Dad sayings and thoughts that ran through Scoob’s head on repeat.

Overall this is a wonderful story that kept me turning pages so I could figure RC out. The ending is good and had me feeling complete with a little wonder. Thanks for letting me come along on your trip.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
Summer of Mud by Rebecca Bischoff

Summer of Mud is a wonderfully written Historical children’s book/YA that is aimed for middle school aged kids but adults can enjoy it as well. I was very eager to dive into this book and truly enjoyed reading it. This is a fairly new author to me but her style of writing and attention to detail along with developed characters make the story come to life. There’s a lot going on in this fast paced story but it’s not overwhelming but pretty easy to follow. Get ready to be taken on quite the adventure with Scoob and her older brother as they travel to a small town. Scoob is a young girl but man she has talent and big dreams. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to reading more from this Author.

[Jennifer P Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for characters who have artistic passions and run through challenges along their journey. I love reading of their determination to overcome their obstacles. This book has these themes and I enjoyed it! Scoob is a 12 year old trumpet player who has been taught to play since she was very young thanks to her father. Now after finding herself homeless, she is doing what she can to earn her keep and gets a job at an Italian restaurant in Santa Monica. Unfortunately her brother RC has other plans with an unexpected road trip for work. En route, Scoob finds out a very famous jazz player will be scooping new talent in an upcoming visit to the restaurant she was recently hired for. She is determined to get back but one thing after another leaves her feeling hopeless until one life changing event.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a brilliant coming of age story that mixes adventure and emotion so well. The main character, Scoob, is one that is so easy to get behind. She is engaging and relatable and I found myself willing things to turn out for her the whole way through the book. The journey she goes on is amazing to watch and I loved how she discovered so much about herself.
The story is really well written. Although it is not aimed at my age group, I was still drawn into the story in a way that made me want to read more. The overall pacing of book matched the feel of the story. The characters go through a fantastic development which only made me enjoy reading about them even more. This is a brilliant story that I would highly recommend.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely ate this story up. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. This story was well written and put me through all the feels. It follows a young girl, Scoob, and her brother RC who lost their parents and are homeless in California. Scoob gets a gig with a jazz band playing trumpet but just before she's due to play her first night, her brother whisks her away to Montana. The entire way, RC is acting really weird and obviously keeping things from her. They end up in Idaho and he drags his feet moving on until finally he comes clean and tells Scoob the truth about why they really ran off. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone. Despite it being geared toward a younger audience I, at 33, loved all of it.

[Amber Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Mud by Rebecca Bischoff was pretty amazing. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. This story about a young girl and her brother’s journey from homelessness and barely surviving to finding family, friends, and home was written so well. The author did an amazing job capturing the thoughts and feelings of a twelve year old who had to grow up pretty fast. I smiled, I cried and I felt the emotions written on each page. So many aspects of life were captured in this novel. From grief and betrayal to community and hope. This is definitely in my top 3 books I’ve read so far this year. If you are on the fence, please do yourself a favor and read this masterpiece (yes it’s for 10 and up but I as a 30+ year old woman loved it).

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Mud by Rebecca Bischoff is a compelling coming-of-age story that beautifully weaves together themes of love, loss, and identity. Scoob’s journey from a determined, angsty 12-year-old to a compassionate and self-aware young girl is portrayed with depth and heart. The road trip adventure and the small-town drama around the dam create vivid, cinematic scenes, while the musical elements add an engaging and unique layer to the narrative.

This book is highly recommended for middle-grade readers who love adventure, relatable characters, and stories that explore family bonds and personal growth. With strategic visibility on Goodreads, Amazon, and social media, Summer of Mud has the potential to reach and resonate with a broad audience of young readers and parents alike.

[Mary Bleckwehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Bischoff is becoming one of my favorite authors. I've read Hole in the Rock (funny, unusual, tender) and Streets of Shadow (thrilling, emotional, strong). Her newest novel, The Summer of Mud, did not disappoint. The idea of a dam breaking causing dangerous flooding is just the start of this gripping story! It is both thrilling and heart wrenching with an ending that kept me on the edge of my seat. The 12 year old main character is wonderfully developed (as are all the characters). Something for middle grade readers as well as adults for sure!

[Mare Lars · Rating 5 out of 5]

I somehow don’t think I’ve ever read a book set in the 70s?? But the descriptions helped set the scene perfectly. The historical fiction was interesting, especially if you have ties to California and Idaho. The whole thing was so sweet and so fun. I really enjoyed this! And if a book can make me cry that’s pretty much a guaranteed 5 ⭐️ Joey made me cry several times near the end. It made me think about however old you are (not just a 12 year old!) sometimes you just need to feel connected to your mom.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing read. I was hooked the moment I started it. A story of basically growing up and learning what family is. This story will tug at your heart strings. You will definitely feel every emotion. The main characters are so wonderfully written. A story of two siblings trying to survive and understand each other and the choices made. This is also the story of a community in Idaho that pulled together after a natural disaster. It's a beautiful story that I couldn't put down. I recommend you give this a read.