John Boden, JEDI SUMMER – Review

In the summer of 1983, A boy and his younger brother have one goal in mind–a priority to trump all:  To see the highly anticipated Return of the Jedi once it’s released in theaters.  In the meantime, life happens.  The boys experience situations that some of us may have too and some we’d never dream of.  JEDI SUMMER is a coming-of-age tale that takes a nostalgic trip back to carefree days on Pennsylvania turf.  The book is a tug-of-war between hope and heartache with moments of random surrealism that is often downright disturbing, yet holds strong to an uplifting and inspiring look at the lives of the two brothers.

John Boden’s JEDI SUMMER, in every sense of the word, is for coming-of-age fans.  But this  isn’t McCammon’s BOY’S LIFE.  Not even close.  This isn’t Simmon’s SUMMER OF NIGHT, King’s IT or Bradbury’s SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES.  But it’s for those who appreciate such tales.  JEDI SUMMER reads nontraditionally–entries intertwined with subplots that keep you reading much longer than you anticipated, and you’re not sure why.  Before you know it, you’re completely drawn in and rooting for the main character with everything you’ve got.  And then it’s over.  At just the right length.

JEDI SUMMER is an organized chaos, reading like a book of memories with no true north, yet it works. Perfectly. Boden scratches that coming-of-age itch with the best of them.

Rating:  5/5

Pre-order JEDI SUMMER:  With the Magnetic Kid here.