The Last Last-Day-of-Summer

The Last Last-Day-of-Summer

book

2020, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life

WISE
89%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Two cousin-detectives freeze time on summer's last day and must save their town before the clock stops forever.

Amazon4.7
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the middle grade adventure book you hand to a kid who claims they 'don't like reading.' Time-freezing mystery? Black kid detectives? Slapstick humor and cartoon illustrations? It's got the goods.

Lamar Giles (who usually writes YA) brings real craft here—the premise is creative, the pacing is tight, and the cousin dynamic feels authentic. Otto and Sheed bicker like real kids but ultimately model cooperation and problem-solving. The representation is important but never heavy-handed; these are just two Black kids having a wild adventure, which is exactly what we need more of in middle grade.

At 4.7 stars on Amazon and glowing reviews from TIME for Kids and other outlets, this isn't a hidden gem—it's a proven hit. If your 8-12 year old needs a book that's genuinely fun and not homework disguised as entertainment, this is it.

Age Fit

Solidly middle grade, best for 8-12 year olds who love mystery, adventure, and sci-fi concepts. Strong readers at 8 will devour it; kids up to 12 will appreciate the humor and fast pace without feeling like it's babyish.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

Features two Black cousins working together to solve a time-freezing mystery, modeling cooperation and family bonds. The bickering between Otto and Sheed feels authentic to real kid dynamics without being mean-spirited. Jason Reynolds' endorsement highlights how it creates 'magical spaces where their imaginations and familial bonds will them into heroism.' The tone is described as funny and relatable with slapstick adventure that keeps things light.

Imaginative
92

A camera that literally freezes time? That's a killer premise. The book combines sci-fi concepts with mystery-solving in a 'zany Virginia town' full of 'very strange people and even stranger creatures.' Reviews consistently praise the high-speed, high-stakes adventure and the imaginative world-building. The fact that it's sci-fi middle grade with Black kids on the cover fills a gap in representation while delivering genuine creativity.

Safe
94

Common Sense Media lists this for middle grade readers with no flags for inappropriate content. Reviews describe it as 'slapstick adventure' with 'friendship, drama, laughs, action, and suspense' but nothing suggesting violence, scary content, or mature themes. As a middle grade book, it's designed to be age-appropriate. The adventure stakes are high but handled in a kid-friendly way with cartoon-style illustrations.

Enriching
86

The Legendary Alston Boys are 'local sleuths' who use 'unmatched powers of deduction,' modeling problem-solving and critical thinking. The cousins must 'put aside their differences to save their town—and each other,' teaching conflict resolution and teamwork. It's entertaining first but sneaks in themes about family, cooperation, and heroism. The representation of Black children as protagonists in a sci-fi mystery is culturally enriching and important for all readers.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • A genuinely creative sci-fi premise (time-freezing camera!) that middle graders haven't seen a thousand times
  • Black protagonists in a mystery-adventure that's just fun, not a 'message book'—though the representation matters
  • Fast-paced slapstick action with cartoon illustrations that keep reluctant readers hooked
  • Models real sibling/cousin dynamics—bickering but ultimately having each other's backs
  • Part of a series, so if your kid loves it, there's more Legendary Alston Boys waiting
⚠

What to Watch For

  • The zany, high-speed adventure style might be too chaotic for kids who prefer slower, quieter stories
  • Some sci-fi concepts (time manipulation, strange creatures) could confuse younger or more literal-minded readers
  • If your kid struggles with chapter books, the cartoon illustrations help but it's still a commitment

Conversation Starters

  • "If you could freeze time for one day, what would you do with it?"
  • "Otto and Sheed argue about what kind of fun to have—do you and your friends ever disagree about how to spend time together?"
  • "What do you think would be the scariest part about time stopping forever?"
  • "The boys have to work together even when they're annoyed with each other. When have you had to do that?"

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