It's a memory that's stayed with Seth for years, since the summer he was 16 and his world was falling apart: His parents are splitting up -- for no apparent reason -- leaving him confused and bitter. Even worse, his mother insists on dragging him along with her to Toward Transformation, a unique personal-growth camp - a trip he is certain will be disastrous.

But Seth finds unexpected camaraderie with other kids there: brash, self-appointed leader Rafe; gorgeous, daunting Diana; quirky, endearing yet unsettling Morgana; and enigmatic Grace, with whom he forges a strong, emotional connection. He's also heartened, intrigued and sometimes disturbed by what he encounters at Transformation, which after 10 years is showing signs of dissension among its participants. Well into his adulthood, Seth continues to process what happened during those two weeks at Transformation, and long afterwards.

Sean Smith's Transformation Summer is not just a coming-of-age novel, but an exploration of how we experience memories of youth -- from the perspective of accumulated years and wisdom, or as if we were still that same young person trying to make sense of the world. This poignant and thought-provoking book invites readers to consider the enduring influence of our past experiences on our lives.