In this book there are four 12-year old Callahan cousins, Neeve, Phoebe, Kate, and Hillary. In the beginning of the story Hillary’s parents are almost divorced. Hillary is sad but realizes since she is 12 now she gets to go to Grandma Gee’s place with her 3 other cousins for the summer. When Hillary arrives she is depressed and doesn’t feel like a Callahan cousin. But when she sees her cousins she begins to feel like a real Callahan. Later in the book Hillary remembers to tell the 3 cousins that she wanted to carry on the flag planting that her dad and his brothers did with the Bickets, a family who lives in town, when they spent the summer with Grandma Gee. The flag planting was a challenge to see who could win Gull Island. Kate and Phoebe were not too thrilled about it but Neeve was. Finally all of the cousins were happy about the plan. To find out who wins Gull Island, which is where the flag is going to stand, read the book The Callahan Cousins: Summer Begins by Elizabeth Doyle Carey. My favorite part of the book was the conclusion because it was surprising.  I would rate this book 9 out of 10 because of the adventure at the end. I would recommend this book to mostly girls. I hope that whoever reads this book enjoys it.

Claire P.