Summer: A Spiritual Biography Of The Season

by Gary D. Schmidt (Editor), Susan M. Felch

Explore the rich vibrancy of summer and reflect on how nature teaches us to value time?in this lush collection of reflections by our greatest writers. ?Summer has gone by so fast, ? we often say?the only season for which we say that. Summer does seem to make us keenly aware of time. In our vacations, we step out of time. Watching our gardens, we see the progress of time. Seeing the geese come honking back, we are aware of the passing of time. In essays, poems, and meditations organized around themes of time and our responses to it, twenty-five writers consider summer and its spiritual meanings. Contributors include Anne Lamott, Luci Shaw, Ray Bradbury, Mary Gordon, Richard Selzer, Thomas Lynch, Celia Thaxter, Robert Clark, Michael Pollan, Francis Bacon, Jim Heynen, and Emily Dickinson.

Genres: Poetry, Essays, Summer, Nature, Nonfiction, Spirituality

257 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Gary D. Schmidt is an American children's writer of nonfiction books and young adult novels, including two Newbery Honor books. He lives on a farm in Alto, Michigan,with his wife and six children, where he splits wood, plants gardens, writes, feeds the wild cats that drop by and wishes that sometimes the sea breeze came that far inland. He is a Professor of English at Calvin College.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this at the library and renewed it so I could keep it longer. It is an anthology of poetry, essays, excerpts from other books, prayers, art and recipes - all relating of course to Summer. I started out just browsing through but ended up reading it cover to cover. There is one of these books for each season and I have already ordered Fall and Winter. I will own those so I can really take my time, savor, and re-read.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect seasonal reading. I am sure I will return to this book around the same time next year. In the meantime, Autumn waits on my nightstand.

[Dennis Schvejda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read in the series - ranging from poems composed in eighth-century China to letters from a pioneer woman in the American West, from the Declaration of Independence to Ray Bradbury's musings on childhood summers--invites us all to fully experience the rich and bountiful spirituality of Summer.

[Your Common House Bat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the spring book, this was a nice little collection of essays and poetry. I really liked the 'Camp Food' story there was just something so nostalgia about it. I really liked the little recipes that they had every now and again. This was just a nice read for summer.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even after reading these for the fifth time, many of the essays and excerpts touch my heart in a deep way. A favorite way for me to slow down and savor the summer.

[Dawn Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of writings about summer. Loved it!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of a four-book series with lovely illustrations and selections that will help you live in the moment of summer. One to return to year after year.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked this book, I did not finish it. I like the way it is written; peoms, short stories, etc. I may pick it up again and finish it. Thanks for suggesting it Linda.