(1949) Excellent teen romance about a young artist who goes to work in Peter Hunt's studio in Provincetown decorating furniture for the summer. Hijinks and romance ensue. ( )

Handed down from my mom, I have re-read this teen novel numerous times. It's like comfort food! While the story is dated, the idea of figuring out who you are is timeless. Ms. Cavana does a good job of capturing that tug between wanting to please the people you love, and also embracing the person you are becoming. I also liked the way Ms. Cavana explored the theme of romance. Kate "falls head over heels" for a young fisherman, feeling a strong attraction to Manuel. But while her attraction doesn't subside, she is forced by circumstances to see how her desires for other things are more important in the end. That's a good lesson no matter what the age. ( )

From vintage scholastic flyleaf: Kate Vale is looking forward to a dreary summer at home, when the chance comes to paint peasant furniture for Peter Hunt in his world-famous shop on Cape Cod. Kate sets of joyously, convinced this will show her parents her desire to go to art school is more than a teen-age whim.

At Peasant Village, the Peter Hunt art colony, Kate makes friends with Misty and Rhoda, and lives in a wharf apartment that juts out over the bay. She falls head over heels with a handsome young Portuguese fisherman. But then there is Bill--just Bill, who is always there, and somehow becomes more and more a part of her life. ---- The back cover shows a photo of Betty Cavanna interviewing artist Peter Hunt. Cavanna visited Peasant Village "and got to know Peter Hunt and his students. Mr. Hunt permitted Miss Cavanna to use him as a real charater in the story. It's like stepping into his shop to step into PAINTBOX SUMMER."