I just returned from a quick trip back to upstate New York where I lived until last year. I spent 25 years around the Finger Lakes- specifically Canandaigua Lake just south-east of Rochester. Brent Runyon's Surface Tension was the perfect book for me to be reading while I was there visiting. First of all- the book takes place on Seneca Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, where Luke and his parents have a cottage where they spend 2 weeks each summer. Second- with summer fast approaching, I am always reminded of the wonderful, carefree summers 'at the lake' where we spent day after day doing nothing but sitting on the dock, swimming with the fishies and picnicing by the shore and this story brought ALL those memories of growing up at the lake, back to me. Over the course of 4 summers- ages 13-16- you follow Luke through physical, emotional and hormonal changes- through family dynamics, growing friendships and personal experiences- he grows up! A simple coming-of-age story. I highly recommend this book as a light, quick, summer read.