One Pale Summer Kindle Edition by Debra Phillips

Book Excerpt:

"Embark on a captivating tale of bravery and friendship for readers of all ages, where perceptions are challenged and secrets unravel. Within this enchanting story, cautionary tales encircle an eccentric elderly lady, Isabelle Ickleberry, warning others to avoid her grumpy demeanor.

However, eight-year-old Evee dismisses the rumors as mere fabrications. Placed in the care of her unkind aunt after her mother's abandonment, Evee yearns for a mentor and a special companion to share wisdom about nature and gardening, particularly trees and flowers. Despite her aunt's constant reminders of her mother's permanent absence, Evee and her four-year-old sister, Mina, relentlessly cling to hope, believing in a future reunion with their mother.

The sisters yearn to beautify their spacious backyard by cultivating trees and vibrant flowers, seeking permission from their aunt. Little do they anticipate the extraordinary and puzzling discovery that awaits them. Fate intervenes when Isabelle Ickleberry, driven by a misguided assumption based on Evee's appearance, forms a deep connection with her. Isabelle envisions in Evee the ideal daughter she never had, despite Evee never making such a claim. Bound by a hidden bond, their relationship turns unexpectedly as Evee grows weary of hurtful remarks targeting people of color. Determined to teach a valuable lesson, she sets in motion a series of events that ultimately unveil a dreadful truth."

Title: One Pale Summer
Author: Debra Phillips
Publisher: D.P.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
'One Pale Summer' by Debra Phillips

My Sentiments:

One thing is for sure...this author gives the reader a fascinating read starting in her acknowledgments..." as she thanks anyone for working to end the plague of racism in a world filled with so many horrible things to focus on. We all should strive for a world where we love everywhere, not for the color of their skin, but for the color of their character."

Now, let's get into the story that, for me, was sad about what had happened to two small children being left behind as their mother left them with a person who wasn't even a step-parent. But what did this person Curtis do? He drove these children to Killen, Texas, to their mother's sister by the name of Sassafene Galloway...known as Miss Sassy.

After being dropped off and treated horribly by their mother's sister [Aunt Sassy], who had her reasons for how she acted toward Evee, who was eight, and Mina, only four, who had to sleep in a closet on a mattAunt Sassye floor, oh well, I will stop at that point and say wow! What had happened in Sassy life that caused her to be so mean, especially to these children? Oh well, moving on, there was some good from it when Mr. Bo moved into the rented room, and things did get livable somewhat for these kids due to him being so nice to them.

But these kids had to work hard around the house as their aunt Sally sewed all the time and cooked somewhat the same foods until Mr. Bo came into the picture.

We find Evee was friendly as she made friends with a girl named Cutie. And close lovely, as will come to light in the story as she meets an older lady named Isabelle Ickleberry and her dog Digs. What will happen in and to that friendship when everything comes out? Did this have anything to do with how Evee looked in her treatment by this old lady?

I will stop at that point because as you pick up this good read, you, the reader, will find what Ms. Ickleberry was all about.

I did enjoy seeing Evee wanting to know about life, the plants, and what she did about her aunt's yard, only wanting to make it beautiful using the flower seeds her mom had left her with; however, that got into quite a mess before things came to a head of that situation. What was up with that pond that appeared? I will stop hand-read to learn about what took place in that situation in the backyard of their aunt Sassy.

Evee, bless her heart, didn't know things and was trying to figure out why certain things were happening, and in trying out, she kept lots of secrets from her aunt Sassy that would eventually all come out. What happened to this specific person had me laughing so hard, and you will have to read to find out what Evee did that she thought would help, and that's all I have to say about that...other than saying karma happens to those who deserved it as this person did. I was reminded not to tell too much; I'm working on it! So, I will stop here!

Now, at the end of the story ...will Evee and Mina's mom ever show up to get her children from her sister Sassy's place in Killen, TX? Well, I will say ... pick up this good read, "One Pale Summer," to find out if Clarice, their mom, comes for them and to see if the reason why Sassy hated her sister so much.

The title of this book had me puzzled for a minute, but as I read through the story...I understood why it was called 'One Pale Summer.' By picking up this good re, all your questions will be answered by the end of the story.


This was an excellent read... from sad to a little bit of happiness...back and forth, but by the end, the reader will get a complete story of what it was all about. There is no place in our world for the hatred and racism that we see going on in our world today. All that is left is prayer because I don't see anything else that will fix this situation.

'One Pale Summer' was an exciting read that I am sure the readers will love long after the read. It tells quite a story out there in the world we live in that is very much needed.