Ämpärikesä
(The Bucket List Summer) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
During their last Finnish language class in elementary school, a group of ninth-graders in a small town are tasked with writing a shared bucket list of dreams they want to achieve in their lifetime. Matilda and Meri have been inseparable, but now things have changed. Jere is having a hard time at home with his alcoholic mother and the pressure of getting a summer job to earn money. Even though it’s been three years, Saana is not over the death of her brother and keeps having panic attacks when being near lakes. Former footballer and current troublemaker Arttu lives in a luxurious house, but his relationship with his father is not good. Samu arrives in the small town to surprise his online friend Niila, but Niila, who has a crush on Samu, is not ready to come out yet. Does the group of young people dare to let go of their fears and reveal the secrets they have been hiding and been ashamed of?
Edited by: Lastenkirjainstituutti
Comment:
The story, which takes place at the start of summer holiday, tells about a group of young people, about their lives and dreams. Matilda, Jere, Arttu, Saana, Niila and others have many kinds of dreams: one wants to jump from the highest platform of a diving tower, one just wants to forget. Not every dream is said aloud in the graduation event, but they can come true even in the first days of summer holiday. The teens face their own issues by themselves, or with the help of others. One learns how to do things on their own, another faces their fears and someone builds up courage to seek help for their close one.