SOLVED. Juvenile fiction. Beryl is main character, possibly adopted. Stern grandfather or father figure kept a scrapbook of newspaper clippings. Title: includes Summer? Read in 1970's. [s]

[Marge]

In the 70's, I read and re-read this book from my mom's bookshelves. It was worn then, possibly a beach read, There was possibly a plot about adoption. The main character's name was Beryl. There was a stern grandfather/father figure who was unloving towards her, took a "constitutional" every day, and kept a scrapbook of newspaper clippings. "Summer" was possibly in the title.

[Rainbowheart]

How old was the girl?

Was this book for kids, teens, or adults?

[Marge]

Beryl was late teens or early 20’s

[Adele]

This is just a guess: The Sound of Summer Voices Note that the description does not mention Beryl but she is a significant character.

[Marge]

Adele! This might be it!!

[Kris]

Here's the Kirkus Review of The Sound of Summer Voices by Helen Tucker - Adele's suggestion:

"...And so is orphaned Patrick, a curious and tenacious ten year old who lives with his great uncle Darius and two Aunts -- Atheha who is grim and Beryl who is gentle -- in the old house which like Darius defies change and where every tomorrow is like yesterday. Too much like yesterday. Nettled by his friend Rusty, Patrick begins to wonder whether his mother, Celinda, who had died at his birth, had even existed; there are no photographs of her and the grave at the end of the property, which he digs up, proves to be empty. In his attempt to resurrect other Unknown and unmentionable episodes of the past Patrick finally confronts Darius and makes liberation possible at least for Beryl."

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

[Adele]

The Sound of Summer Voices is available from openlibrary.org if you want to look at it to see if it looks right: https://openlibrary.org/search?q=titl...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Marge, was that your book?

[Marge]

yes it was! Thank you!

[Kris]

Great. Glad you found your book, Marge. Thanks for the update.