Set in 1950s-60s Massachusetts,The Girl with the Black and Blue Doll by Linda Summersea, is a raw and unforgettable coming-of-age memoir. Linda, a bright, but neglected child, seeks refuge from her volatile home life by hiding in the far reaches of her bunk bed underworld with her Betsy Wetsy—and her imagination. 

Raised on a three-generation family farm, Linda is "parentified" far too young and discouraged from dreaming beyond factory work. But when she steps into the world of education, the fire inside her begins to burn. Through determinations, empathy, and unexpected friendships, Linda fights to escape the emotional shackles of her upbringing. Her transformation unfolds against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the Hippie Movement, and a culture finally beginning to question silence, shame, and survival.

Today the result of Linda's emotional neglect would be recognized as depression in the form of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and her family as dysfunctional. Linda's book is especially relevant to today's Teen Mental Health Crisis under the influence of social media, especially TikTok. 

 Advance Praise

“A moving coming-of-age story and a powerful testament to a girl's determination to overcome unbelievably difficult circumstances and finally succeed. I couldn't stop turning the pages. I believe it will someday make a great movie … but don't wait for that—read it now!”

— Jack Canfield, Coauthor of #1 New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul® series

✍️ About the Author
Linda Summersea earned her BFA and MFA from the University of Massachusetts. She spent her career as a teacher and arts administrator working with Youth-at-Risk and leading arts residencies across schools and museums without realizing that she, too, had been a Youth-at-Risk. She also produced and hosted ArtBreak, an award-winning Art program on Community Access Television. Linda began writing after her segment aired on NPR’s Tales from the South, with further work published in online
periodicals.
At 67, she discovered her love of expedition hiking by camping and hiking with Berber nomads for 50 miles in the Moroccan desert, followed by treks across Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia, and Jordan. She has lectured about the transformative power of hiking in wild places.

Linda will be the Author of the Month at the Northampton Senior Center in January 2026.