The Space Between You and Me
That summer, I finally grew into myself. The problem? I grew too fast. And fruit that grows too fast often bursts in the sunshine.
For Clem, summers are for wandering the blueberry barrens, helping her grandmother on the farm, and stargazing with her parents. But her grandmother is gone, she hasn’t talked to her mom in months, and her dad is devoted to the family business. Now, all Clem wants to think about is a dance audition that could get her into Juilliard. She doesn’t need another distraction. Then she meets Rico. He’s nothing like the boys back home in LA or the boys in Maine, either. His secrets rival her own and as they grow closer, she must confront the hidden realities of places she thought she knew. In Julie True Kingsley’s debut novel, Clem and Rico’s worlds are threatening to tear them apart. Can they bridge the space between them before summer is just a memory?
Read the first chapter here.
The Space Between You and Me is a heartwarming story from the blueberry fields of Maine. The love story of Clem and Rico is a beautiful portrayal of the complex relationships between locals and immigrants working the summer harvests. Kingsley beautifully integrates Maine culture, the power of love, and the importance of a strong local community into this page-turner. This story is a must read for young adults and readers of all ages. A perfect summer read!
Clementine is a teen girl with big dreams and an even bigger heart, but this summer in Maine is like no other and she’s caught between two worlds, faced with tough choices about who she is, what she wants, and what’s worth fighting for. At turns hilarious, spirited, vulnerable and passionate, Clementine, and her story, won me over in a heartbeat.
Extras
Clem’s Blueberry Recipes
Clem’s Blueberry Recipes:
One cup whole milk yogurt
Two cups frozen Maine blueberries
A frozen banana
Classroom Questions
• Discuss Clem’s relationship with her dad. Could you identify with any of Fountaine family pressures?
• Clem had a love at first sight experience with Rico. Do you believe in this? Why or why not?
Q&A with Julie
What part of The Space Between You and Me was your favorite to write?
The relationships were so much fun. Naturally, the connection between Clem and Rico was first and foremost.