Title: Summer Sisters Author: Judy Blume
ISBN: 0385337663 Pages: 399
Publisher: Delta Trade Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1998
Readers Annotation:
After spending a summer together in Martha's Vineyard, Victoria and Caitlin were determined to forever remain 'summer sisters'. Will the challenges of growing up ever break that impenetrable bond?
After spending a summer together in Martha's Vineyard, Victoria and Caitlin were determined to forever remain 'summer sisters'. Will the challenges of growing up ever break that impenetrable bond?
Author Information:
Judy Blume received her Bachelor's in education from New York University in 1961. She was also honored as the Distinguished Alumna in 1996 by NYU, and the American Libraries Association gave her the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Judy Blume has written for a wide audience, including children, young adults, and adults. Blume's books Summer Sisters, Wifey and Smart Women are all New York Times bestsellers. She has sold over 80 million copies of her books and they have been translated into 26 languages. Fans and readers send her thousands of letters every year to discuss their feelings and concerns.
Judy lives with her husband George Cooper on the east coast, and she spends summers with family on Martha's Vineyard, the setting of Summer Sisters. Together they have three children who are grown up, and one grandchild.
http://www.judyblume.com
Plot Summary:
Victoria Leonard lives with her parents and three younger siblings in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Money doesn't come easy to her family, and that struggle effects Victoria's relationship with her parents. Caitlin Somers is the most popular girl in Vix's class. So, when Caity suddenly invites Vix to spend the summer with her and her family at Martha's Vineyard, away from the suppressed life she has in Sante Fe, Vix doesn't hesitate. She is allowed to go, but her mother has reservations about Vix's exposure to a wealthier lifestyle.
Vix and Caity become immediate friends after their summer together, and vow to spend future summers together in Martha's Vineyard as 'summer sisters'. The Somers grow fond of Vix, and 'adopt' her every summer. Each year brings new adventures for the girls, as they discover the trials and tribulations of being teenagers. When the time comes for the girls to go to college, Vix learns to balance her everlasting friendship with Caity.
Judy Blume received her Bachelor's in education from New York University in 1961. She was also honored as the Distinguished Alumna in 1996 by NYU, and the American Libraries Association gave her the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Judy Blume has written for a wide audience, including children, young adults, and adults. Blume's books Summer Sisters, Wifey and Smart Women are all New York Times bestsellers. She has sold over 80 million copies of her books and they have been translated into 26 languages. Fans and readers send her thousands of letters every year to discuss their feelings and concerns.
Judy lives with her husband George Cooper on the east coast, and she spends summers with family on Martha's Vineyard, the setting of Summer Sisters. Together they have three children who are grown up, and one grandchild.
http://www.judyblume.com
Plot Summary:
Victoria Leonard lives with her parents and three younger siblings in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Money doesn't come easy to her family, and that struggle effects Victoria's relationship with her parents. Caitlin Somers is the most popular girl in Vix's class. So, when Caity suddenly invites Vix to spend the summer with her and her family at Martha's Vineyard, away from the suppressed life she has in Sante Fe, Vix doesn't hesitate. She is allowed to go, but her mother has reservations about Vix's exposure to a wealthier lifestyle.
Vix and Caity become immediate friends after their summer together, and vow to spend future summers together in Martha's Vineyard as 'summer sisters'. The Somers grow fond of Vix, and 'adopt' her every summer. Each year brings new adventures for the girls, as they discover the trials and tribulations of being teenagers. When the time comes for the girls to go to college, Vix learns to balance her everlasting friendship with Caity.
Critical Evaluation:
The author takes the readers on an epic journey of one character, Victoria Leonard, with sophisticated language that flows smoothly throughout the story. The book is written predominantly from the point of view of the protagonist Victoria, and follows the intimate details of her life. Simultaneously, Blume gives the readers insights written from the point of view of other supporting characters, by presenting selections from their perspective at the end of many chapters. During the early years, the settings vary between Victoria's hometown Sante Fe, New Mexico, and Caitlin's vacation home in Martha's Vineyard. The story continues in Cambridge and then New York, once the main character has grown up. Though the reader does not get a full picture of most of the places where Victoria is living, Martha's Vineyard is different as much of the relationship of the summer sisters takes place in that meaningful setting. The emotions of the characters in the story are detailed to the point where the reader can truly understand their depth. Though the mood of the book is not heavy, Blume does help her audience understand the conflicting emotions Vix has for Caity, while also allowing the readers to appreciate her undying love for her friend.
The author takes the readers on an epic journey of one character, Victoria Leonard, with sophisticated language that flows smoothly throughout the story. The book is written predominantly from the point of view of the protagonist Victoria, and follows the intimate details of her life. Simultaneously, Blume gives the readers insights written from the point of view of other supporting characters, by presenting selections from their perspective at the end of many chapters. During the early years, the settings vary between Victoria's hometown Sante Fe, New Mexico, and Caitlin's vacation home in Martha's Vineyard. The story continues in Cambridge and then New York, once the main character has grown up. Though the reader does not get a full picture of most of the places where Victoria is living, Martha's Vineyard is different as much of the relationship of the summer sisters takes place in that meaningful setting. The emotions of the characters in the story are detailed to the point where the reader can truly understand their depth. Though the mood of the book is not heavy, Blume does help her audience understand the conflicting emotions Vix has for Caity, while also allowing the readers to appreciate her undying love for her friend.
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Coming of Age
Curriculum Ties: English
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Vix has been 'adopted' by Caitlin, a wealthy classmate, to be her summer sister/friend. Have you ever left your family for an entire summer?
2. Caitlin's family is extremely wealthy and always trying to give Vix gifts and scholarships. If someone was always offering you monetary assistance, would you take it?
1. Vix has been 'adopted' by Caitlin, a wealthy classmate, to be her summer sister/friend. Have you ever left your family for an entire summer?
2. Caitlin's family is extremely wealthy and always trying to give Vix gifts and scholarships. If someone was always offering you monetary assistance, would you take it?
Reading Level/Interest Age: 14+
Challenge Issue: Teen promiscuity
- The book is a New York Times bestseller, and the author is an award winning writer
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy
- The book is a New York Times bestseller, and the author is an award winning writer
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy
Why I chose this item: Judy Blume is a famous author, and I thought a teen novel would be a great addition to my project.
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