What We Found Last Summer by Javier De Lucia is a short YA coming-of-age story. Derek and Calvin are heading to an old treehouse for a carefree day of fun and friendship, but what they find isn’t what they expected. The treehouse should have been empty, but there are signs that someone has been there. There’s something in the treehouse that shouldn’t be there, something they should never have seen, and it puts them firmly in the sights of a criminal gang. Now their lives are in danger. Will they escape with their lives?

What We Found Last Summer by Javier De Lucia is a bit different from the usual coming-of-age story. It’s told from several perspectives, each chapter from the point of view of one group of characters, which does give you the full story. The characters are well-developed, and despite it being a short story, you do get to know them. It’s got plenty of action in it, some bad language, and a shooting scene, but nothing in graphic detail, and not unexpected given that it's told from the perspective of young teens. It is about growing up, about facing things you are perhaps too young to understand at the time, but being forced into a situation where you have to make the right choice for survival—physically and metaphorically. The ending comes as a surprise and gives the story a little more meaning. Overall, an enjoyable read for anyone who likes a short story with a twist in the tail.

What We Found Last Summer is a young adult crime drama by Javier De Lucia. Best friends Calvin and Derek love venturing into the woods with their friends, Ravi and Ryan. However, when the two friends come upon an abandoned treehouse deep in the woods, they stumble upon a brown paper bag full of money. Not knowing any better, they retrieve the bag and bring it home. But they don't realize that the money belongs to the mob. Meanwhile, their rivals, the Eicher boys, get hold of the bag, and now, the mob guys are after them. After one of the Eicher brothers gets shot, Calvin and Derek realize that their own lives are in danger. What's next in store for them?

A seamless mix of suspense, adventure, and action makes What We Found Last Summer an absolute joy to read. This is the perfect crime adventure for teenagers and young adults. It's short, action-packed, and full of surprises. The pages flew by for me, as Javier De Lucia doesn't waste a single word and spins an absorbing plot from start to finish. The author drops the reader in the midst of the action from the get-go, and it's a wild rollercoaster of a ride from there. I was completely invested in the story arcs of the main characters. They are likable and have distinct personality traits that leave a mark on the reader. You can really feel the stakes as no one is truly safe in the story. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and you will too!

In What We Found Last Summer by Javier De Lucia, Agent Baker and his partner were on a drug task force. Their efforts were yielding results and had been focused on a suspect, Tony, for a while now. Agent Carter wants to arrest him, but Baker wants to follow him so he can lead them to the source of the money financing the drugs. Meanwhile, three kids are building a tree house and want to explore another abandoned tree house for materials to build their new tree house. When they get to the abandoned tree house, they discover a bag full of money hidden there. As things unfold, Calvin and his friends lose the money to another rival group of boys. Tony gets in a lot of trouble with his gangster friends, but the boys with the money are soon discovered. How will things unfold, especially after a child is shot as the gangsters try to retrieve their money?

What We Found Last Summer by Javier De Lucia is a story that, once you start reading it, there is no putting it down. The writing is crisp, engaging, and filled with well-crafted dialogue that brings the events to life. This amazing work shows the need to protect kids, and the thought-provoking work also got me thinking about how something small can get out of control. The pacing was steady, and Javier also ensured all events and places were vividly described, which helps to capture the imagination of the reader. The characters were well-developed, and the reader will also appreciate the seamless flow of the plotline. This was an amazing read, and I look forward to more books by Javier De Lucia.

In the suburban neighborhoods of Southwest Connecticut, four young boys—Calvin, his small brother Ryan, Derek, and Ravi—are scouring for wood for their treehouse when they stumble upon money hidden in a package. They take the money. Soon, they learn that two members of the mob are looking for the money. It turns out their friend Rochelle’s parents are in trouble with the mob over the missing money. The boys want to return the money, but there is one huge problem. Other kids had raided their tree house and stolen the money. As they try to get it back, they witness a crime that not only puts their lives in danger but is also about to change things. Find out more in What We Found Last Summer by Javier De Lucia.

If you are looking for a young adult crime novel laced with suspense and a splash of action and drama, What We Found Last Summer by Javier De Lucia is a perfect pick. With a dramatic introduction, De Lucia weaves a short, enthralling tale reminiscent of childhood and preteen experiences, exposing the danger in the mischief associated with the latter. The lively conversations and introspective thoughts reveal the social dynamics that kids and preteens navigate, and how these shape their characters and lives. Derek is the embodiment of a bad influence. Only twelve, he is also the reason the boys take the money, albeit reluctantly. However, his character highlights the impact of this type of upbringing on children. The story warns kids against taking what does not belong to them; instead, it urges them to inform adults or law enforcement.