FernFolio

In their house at the end of the road down in Hog’s Hollow, that year of 1965, the River family dreams. While Flo writes her epic of life in pre-Civil War America, she dreams of fame and fortune and of moving her family to a mansion in the South. Twelve year-old Beau builds models of fighter jets and space capsules, watches his hero, Gus Grissom, travel into space, and dreams of becoming an astronaut. Charlie “Old Man” River dreams terrible dreams of nuclear war and starts to build a fallout shelter in his family’s yard. Nine year-old Danny River draws dogs, plays with dogs, encourages strays to follow him home, and dreams of one day soon having a dog of his own.
When tragedy strikes, the River family is frozen in pain and regret. Flo puts away her novel, Charlie shovels the mountain of soil back into its hole, and Danny rebuffs the overtures of affection offered by a little half-starved pup who worms his way into Flo’s and then Charlie’s hearts. It seems that none of them can allow themselves to by happy – or to dream – again.
Gradually, however, Danny begins to find comfort in the little dog’s company. With his bright brown eyes, his odd way of ‘speaking’ and his almost uncanny ability to read the boy, Rocket helps Danny begin to overcome his grief and guilt.
When Rocket is threatened by animal control officers, Danny makes a desperate bid to save him, one that involves reaching all the way to the stars themselves.
Iain Lawrence’s Gemini Summer is about love and dreams, and their loss. Set in the mid-1960s, against the backdrop of post-war hope and prosperity, as well as post-war trauma and fears of nuclear Armageddon, this is a deeply moving story. Simply told from the perspective of Danny, this book is worth reading. It will stay with you long after the last words are read.
Gemini Summer won the Governor General’s prize for Children’s Literature.
FernFolio Editor