Kat's Greek Summer by Mima Tipper

Kat's Greek Summer by Mima Tipper
Publisher:  SparkPress
Format:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   248 pages
Publishing:  May 13th, 2025
Source:  Books Forward

Opening Lines:  "Love the running. Love it."

Kat Baker repeats the mantra "love the running" to herself to psych herself up or to push through any discomfort she might be feeling.  She wants to be the fastest runner, and follows all the running sites while trying to visualize meeting her goals.  Kat is determined to join the cross-country team next year, convinced that she will finally feel a sense of belonging.  She'll be in the "know" about boys,  high-school, and can finally meet her crush, Mike.  

Kat's younger brother, James, then breaks the devastating news that they will be spending the summer in Paralia, Greece.  Her mom feels it's the perfect time for them to connect with their Greek roots.  Kat attempts to find the silver lining, reasoning that at least she can come back with a tan and plenty of stories about her vacation.  However, she worries that two weeks without training could jeopardize her chances of making the team.

Upon arriving in Paralia, home to her grandmother's charming rustic village, Kat is immediately overwhelmed by the intense heat.  She's further disappointed to learn that each day includes a three-hour mandatory quiet siesta period where she's to remain indoors.  However, Kat devises a plan to go for early morning runs.  Yet, her first experience doesn't go as planned as she's met with the disapproving glares from the older fisherman.  Then Kat catches sight of Theofilus Zafirakis, a local boy working for his grandfather for the summer and is instantly captivated.  

Theofilus is even more handsome than Mike and Kat quickly sets out to learn everything she can about him, despite facing disapproval from his grandfather.  Although, Kat speaks little Greek and Theofilus speaks little English, they somehow are able to communicate effectively and begin meeting secretly late at night.  Thus, avoiding detection by Kat's mother, grandmother, and Theofilus' grandfather. 

Everything appears to be going well at first, but Kat lands herself in trouble by becoming distracted while watching her brother and cousin at the beach leading them to get trapped at sea, requiring a huge recovery effort.  Kat and Theofilus also get caught and their sneaking around comes to light.  Following some frank conversations, and Theo's grandfather witnessing Kat standing up for her cousin Yeorgia when some local boys were scaring her, the families come to an agreement about letting their relationship continue.  

Children may relate to Kat's desire to fit in with the popular crowd and how participating on the cross-country team helps her to connect with her peers, in navigating relationships with boys and in adapting to high school life.  Kat's trip to the small Greek village led to her confronting a new set of social norms she doesn't understand and a language barrier.  It also is a way for her to understand a new to her culture and how she fits into it.   Kat identifies being Greek as mostly being olive skinned and dark haired like her mother and brother.  She's often wondered about how she fits in with her family.  What characteristics make her Greek?   

I loved that the story included three generations of Greek woman and Kat received insights from each of these women.  Kat's relationship with her grandmother/Yiayia is really sweet.  I love that she learned a few words in Greek so they could communicate together and even became involved in preparing a meal together.  Not only was she learning about Greece, but she was also able to form some wonderful memories.  (I'll never forget making cherry pancakes with my Oma.)  Kat also spent time with her cousin, Yeorgia and even encouraged her to follow her own dreams to be a pilot.  Kat learned that one's ethnicity or nationality isn't about our physical characteristics, as her mom said, it's about our "blood and bone" and that she is both Greek and American. 

Overall, Kat's Greek Summer is a lovely coming of age story about first loves, complex feelings, standing up for yourself, and finding one's cultural identity.  Kat returned from her trip to Greece having developed a deep connection to her Greek heritage, a newfound confidence and an understanding of what it means to own our choices. 

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review**

                                                         About the Author…

MIMA TIPPER: Half-Greek, half-American, Mima Tipper and her writing reflect her heritage—a little bit old-country, a little bit rock and roll: one foot wandering through the dreamy realms of myths and faerie tales, the other running on the solid ground of fast-paced, contemporary story. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and has published YA fiction in Hunger Mountain and Sucker Literary magazine. Her YA short story “A Cut-out Face” received an honorable mention from Hunger Mountain’s Katherine Paterson Prize, her work-in-progress “Chasing a Blue So Wild” was a top ten finalist in Voyage YA’s first chapter contest, and her work-in-progress “Channeling Marilyn” came in second place for Paranormal Romance in the Chesapeake Romance Writer’s annual Rudy contest. “Kat’s Greek Summer” will be her first published novel. Beyond devoting most of her time to writing, Mima volunteers at her local library and is committed to promoting literacy. Mima lives in Vermont with her family. Learn more at: www.mimatipper.com

Follow Mima Tipper on social media:

Facebook: @mimatipper | Twitter: @meemtip | Instagram: @mimatip