Summerlings

Howorth (Flying Shoes) cleverly portrays a 1959 neighborhood in this satisfying story of childhood. John is an eight-year-old living on Conners Lane in a middle-class Washington, D.C., exurb, spending a sweltering summer with his two best friends, Ivan and Max. The boys’ families and others living on their block represent a wide mix of personalities with diverse backgrounds, resulting in drama of all types as seen through youthful eyes. Arguments are audible between homes, and sometimes the boys witness unsettling confrontations. They’re particularly worried about Elena, Ivan’s beautiful aunt, whose bruises are visible after a fight with Ivan’s father. Boyhood schemes and adventures are nevertheless a large part of this story, including planning a “Fabulous Family Fiesta” to draw the neighbors closer and collecting spiders during a bizarre infestation that overwhelms the area, hoping to find a poisonous variety that can be used as a weapon against the neighborhood bully. The playful fantasies of young boys are richly described, varying from sweet naïveté to coarse body functions, and disturbing learning curves toward adulthood are touchingly portrayed. John’s voice is real and guileless, a spot-on representation of the youthful innocence that can remain active inside an observant, intelligent young boy. (Aug.)