Watercolor Summer Nan Corbitt Allen

Watercolor Summer 
Nan Corbitt Allen
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Deep River Books (April 6, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1935265679
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1935265672
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Description
If Kathleen could relive any moment, it would be the one in 1969. Not because of its sweet memories, but because it changed her life forever.

Just thirteen, Kathleen felt isolated and alienated by her family. A victim of her parents' lack of connection to each other and to her, she was dragged by her mother to another artist colony for the summer. There she met the annoying Malcolm, a sixteen-year-old, mentally-challenged boy living with his caregiver.

In Watercolor Summer, Nan Allen tells the story of the difficult summer when Kathleen learned how Malcolm and his colorful guardian were examples of true and selfless love. She paints a story on the canvas of Kathleen's life which was transformed by the Master Artist--a life once stained by pain and trial, that became a thing of beauty.

My Review

This is a book about the life of a 13 years old girl (Kat) in 1969. 

Kat is staying the summer at an artist's colony with her mother. Kat is befriended by Malcolm. The read deals heavily with reacting to life and relationships, life-changing events, and self-awareness.

The book mentions the milestone events that occurred such as Apollo 11, Woodstock, and Hurricane Camille, and the music and clothing give a flavor for the time period.

The heartwrenching story provides us with a view of true love, the consequences of choices, understanding motivations, and how stressful events can bring about comorbid psychopathologies. 

In reading this story we are afforded an opportunity to view events from the perspectives of the people involved and question how we may have handled similar circumstances during that time period versus now.

About the Author

You can learn more about author Nan Corbitt Allen here