February 17, 2013
The Summer Prince
Johnson’s first novel for young adults is a heart-stopping story of love, death, technology and art set amid a futuristic Brazilian city. It appears to be a peaceful and just metropolis, but beneath the glittering facade emerges a rigid class-stratified society. June Costa, 18, is a privileged and talented artist who becomes involved with fellow artist Enki, a handsome bottom-tier resident who will serve a year as the bold new Summer King. Together, they stage explosive projects that inadvertently fan a growing rebellion against the government. June falls deeply in love with Enki even though like all Summer Kings before him, he is destined to die.