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Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
Kat Baker dreams of running for a cross-country team at New Canaan High. She plans to train all summer, but her mom, Maria, takes Kat and her little brother, James, for a long vacation to her home country, Greece. Kat is devastated. The small village of Paralia, where Maria grew up, doesn't have wi-fi or electricity. It's so hot there that a midday siesta is obligatory, and "good" Greek girls never go out without adults. Kat slinks out of her grandmother's house to train and meets a handsome Greek boy, Theofilus Zafirakis. But there is a language barrier between them, and Theofilus's strict grandfather disapproves of American girls. Kat must find a way to see Theofilus and stay fit to make the team. Young adult fans of coming-of-age, romance, and adventure will appreciate Kat's Greek Summer by Mima Tipper.
In Kat's Greek Summer, Mima Tipper motivates us never to forget our roots and heritage, or it backfires on our kids. The theme of belonging is the centerpiece of this soulful and engaging story. While James embraces his Greek roots, Kat struggles with her cultural identity because her mom has hardly talked to her about it. Maria and Kat undergo a revealing and transformative journey together. Another topic is the achievement of dreams despite difficulties. Kat vows to conquer a mountain—an excellent metaphor for a challenge—and Theofilus works hard to earn money for his education. But, most importantly, they must convince their family members to hear them out. The beautiful romance between these two reminds me of Romeo and Juliet and other classic love stories. This inspirational YA novel is well-paced. Tipper skillfully balances dramatic elements with humor and surprises us with a moving twist at the end. I hope to read more about Kat and Theofilus.
