Summer Brook Spring

by Lynne Lumsden Green

INTRODUCING THE SUMMER BROOK BESTIES Can two people from opposite ends of the earth really be friends? Summer Brook Spring is the first book in a cosy series for kind and curious young readers who love books, animals and best friend adventures. 10-year-old Freya Patel think it is RUBBISH her family are living at Summer Brook Farm, her Gran's farm in Australia, for a year. It is so far away from everything she knows, and all her friends at home in London. Emma Lloyd is excited to have a girl her own age living next door to the dairy farm that has always been her home. But can a country girl be friends with a girl from a big city on the opposite side of the planet? When Maisie the cow gets in trouble, Freya and Emma must join forces to save her little calf. The Summer Brook Besties series offers young readers an escape to a cosy place where life isn't easy, but where problems are solved through cooperation and kindness. Freya and Emma learn about friendship and family through their adventures together in a farming community in Australia. This is a thoroughly modern take on the cosy Enid Blyton series so beloved by readers, featuring diverse characters and contemporary issues that offer rich opportunity for home and classroom discussion. Each book has 10 chapters with original B&W illustrations by Caitlyn McPherson. Four books are planned for release in 2020/21.
SUMMER BROOK BESTIES #2 Bushfire Christmas Christmas in Australia is in summer. It's too hot and too strange for Freya. Emma is irritated and hurt by Freya's longing for home and they fall out. When bushfires devastate the area, their squabbles seem petty-but is it too late for the Summer Brook Besties' friendship?

198 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2021

Reviews

[Carrie]

Home-sick for London, eleven-year-old Freya is shocked by the stark contrast of outback Australia. But as she acclimatises, she begins to thrive. Freya develops newfound connections with her extended family, and discovers an unexpected friendship with her new neighbour, Emma.

Titbits of information are woven into the story, providing insights about how it might feel to experience Australia as a newcomer. The pictures are delightful. This book is a wonderful introduction to the series, with questions left unanswered, compelling the reader to stay tuned for the next instalment. An enjoyable read!

[Neen Cohen]

A purely delightful book about an 11 year old who has to move from England to Rural Australia. I adored the way the authentic view of Australia, it's landscape, and hardships wrapped around me like a familiar blanket. Not only is the landscape beautiful, but the writing is rich in description and emotion. The view point of Freya was so spot on and memories from my own child hood flooded back from her perspective and way of seeing the world around her.
* Emma Lloyd was a gold and brown girl; she had tanned skin and long hair bleached by the sun.
* A few dozen caramel-coloured cows, with a sprinkling of black-and-white cows among them.
* She felt like she was dipping her toast soldiers into liquid sunshine
I can't wait to read more of these books and am eager to see what other hobby farm adventures the Freya and Emma get up to.

[Caitlyn McPherson]

A cute and cosy tale of friendship, family and the charm and trials of the Australian outback. Recommend this to any young reader getting into chapter books.

[Pamela Jeffs]

Highly recommended. A sweet book with a good message for young adult audiences. Beautiful illustrations inside. Well worth a read!

[Jem McCusker]

Freya is struggling to adjust to life in Australia. She's left behind her best friend in the UK.

This is a beautiful story, of exploration, friendship and rural Australian farm life.

Enjoyable read, looking forward to the next in the series.

My 8 year old son read it. He told me it was 'cool they were on a farm and when can he read the next one?'

[Robyn Evans]

This is a delightful, cosy read that will remind adults of their favourite childhood books. It is a thoroughly modern story about a girl from London who moves to a small farm in rural Australia