City Summer, Country Summer

By Kiese Laymon, Alexis Franklin (Illustrator)

Three boys discover deep friendship during a transformative summer in the South.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 276 ratings

32 pages· 839 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In a transformative summer, three Black boys journey to the South, where laughter and exploration in Mississippi's woods forge a bond that transcends their differences. Under the watchful eyes of Grandmama and Mama Lara, they navigate the joys and challenges of friendship, playing games and sharing secrets. As they sled on cardboard and play marco polo, their camaraderie grows, revealing the unspoken connections that unite them. This lyrical tale captures the essence of a summer that changes everything, highlighting the tender ties of friendship and the freedom found in shared adventures.

From the publisher

CORETTA SCOTT KING ILLUSTRATOR HONOR BOOK - A lyrical picture book from the award-winning author of Heavy, about three Black boys who form a deep connection during a transformative summer trip down South to visit family. On the ground of that garden, covered in vegetables and dirt, coated in laughter, I want to say that the Mississippi and New York in our Black boy bodies were indistinguishable. Three Black boys spend one special summer exploring the Mississippi woods and woulds and coulds of sharing the kind of freeing friendship that is love. Watched over and given space to discover by Grandmama and Mama Lara, New York, Country, and little C find camaraderie in their contrasts and all the unspoken things between them while playing games of marco polo in the thick garden and sledding on cardboard by the underpass. With text brimming with love by award-winning author Kiese Laymon and deeply evocative illustrations by Alexis Franklin, City Summer, Country Summer illuminates the tenuous and tender bonds of friendship Black boys forge with one another.