Punishment Summer by Peggy Rothschild

Title: Punishment Summer

Author: Peggy Rothschild

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Suspense

Pages: 260

Publisher: Evernight Teen

SYNOPSIS: Sixteen-year-old Nicki is sent to stay at her grandfather’s cabin near the town of Punishment in the Mendocino Forest. As always, she hides her burn scars and keeps quiet about the mother who ran out on her. But soon after arriving, she begins to suspect Grandpa is also keeping secrets. Her exile brings an unexpected bright spot—Grandpa’s German shepherd, Queenie. The hunky neighbor boy’s another plus, though she quickly starts to doubt his honesty. 

From secret pot farms to human trafficking, Nicki discovers nothing in the ‘Mendo’ is what it seems. When Grandpa takes off and the lives of new friends are endangered, Nicki must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect those she cares about. Before summer ends, Nicki will learn there are some choices she can’t undo. It’s a good thing Grandpa taught her how to shoot.

REVIEW: Nicki is sent to Punishment for the summer for her not following the rules her dad had made. I really didn't like that her dad didn't communicate with her. He just gave her 15 minutes to pack her stuff and took her to her grandpa's that she hadn't seen since she was a little girl. I felt he just decided he didn't want to deal with her and shipped her off.

Nicki had a lot of growing up to do in this story. I think she did a great job. The author tells the story and really draws you in. I couldn't put the book down. Especially when the mystery begins about the woman who comes to see her grandpa and the neighbor boys that aren't that honest with her. 

I feel that her grandpa taught her some very good lessons. Not only to hunt, fish and grow her own food but also to take care of herself when no one was around. This just helped her when he had to leave unexpectedly. Nicki really found out her true self and didn't worry about not fitting in anymore. She actually asked her dad to stay in Punishment. 

I hope that there is a second book to this one. I would really like to see what happens when her dad decides to go to visit her and her grandpa. Hopefully there will be another book soon.