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Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood (by Ann Brashares)

common sense media says

More girl self-discovery in teen series' third.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book is the third in a hugely popular series for teens. The four friends certainly deal with some drama, including romances, anxiety about college, and an accident that leaves a young child seriously hurt. But they always continue to stand with each other, even as they learn to stand on their own. There are some references to "getting stoned," detailed descriptions of kissing, and mentions of sleeping with and skinny-dipping with a boy. But in the end it's these girls' friendships -- and each girl's growing sense of who she is -- that will leave an impact on teen readers. 

Educational value: The reading might be light fare, but this book can still lend itself to some fun discussions. See our "Families Can Talk About" section for some ideas. 
Positive messages: This is pretty classic coming-of-age fare as these girls continue to learn to stand on their own (even as they continue to stand together!)
Positive role models: These girls experience their share of drama, but they remain true and respectful of their friends and families. Their loving, lifelong friendship is something that can certainly be an inspiration to teen readers.
Violence: A 3-year-old falls from the window and sustains a life-threatening head injury. Grandmother trips and hurts her knee.
Sex: Detailed descriptions of kissing. References to skinny dipping with and sleeping with a boy. A past sexual experience is discussed.
Language: "Damn" and "ass" are used occassionally.
Consumerism: Third book in the popular series. A film was made of the first.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The book includes references to getting stoned and drinking, but the female protagonists are clean.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about reading a series. What's fun about it? Do you notice the quality changing at all as you progress through the books? Many people say that a sequel is never as good as the original -- do you agree?  
  • These books have now been made into popular movies. Are they as good as the books? How do they compare? What would you have left in (or left out) if you were making the movies?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The pants are back -- and with them, adventure and self-discovery for four college-bound friends: Lena's ultra-conservative father threatens to pull the plug on art school; Tibby's relationship with a male friend takes a romantic turn in the midst of a family crisis;  Carmen begins a job caring for Lena's depressed and cranky Greek grandmother, meets a boy, and is horrified to discover that her middle-aged, newly remarried mother is pregnant; and Bea, still processing the death of her mother, is reunited with a past fling -- but learns this time to start with friendship before romance.

 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Ann Brashares' third novel in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series continues the odyssey that has struck a chord with teens. Readers may not find all aspects of the story perfectly believable, but the author is such a good writer, and the characters are so lovable, that this book is sure to be a hit for teens who enjoy coming-of-age books, especially if they've read the other installments. As the girls grow during the summer after high school graduation, the "magical" pants that were a symbol of their friendship and support become less prominent. Even so, Brashares makes their love for one another clear as she weaves expertly through each of the four girls' adventures, sometimes even changing point of view within the same chapter.  

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Ann Brashares
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: January 25, 2005
Number of pages: 338
Hardcover price: $16.95
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

Girls in Pants
adult
 
I loved it to death!!!!
Very Very Very GOOD book. I highly recommend it!!!!
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MillyMolly
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Loving the books
I love these books, they are great!
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alabasterduchess
adult
 
good for 10 year olds!
i loved the other two traveling pants books. they were funny and good reads. this one wasnt nearly as good as the other two, and was ment more for a younger audeince. the author didnt really use complex language, and the issuse in this book would have appealed to me more if i was younger(i am 14). it was ok though, and defenately not a terrible book.
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commonsensegal
teen, 18 years old
 
i like it
i liked it.
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bookworm112
teen, 16 years old
 
Fantastic
This book-like all the others-was absolutely phenomenal. It seems almost impossible how you can squeeze so much emotion into one book and still have room for some humor. This book was amazingly well written and kept me reading for days. You'll laugh, you'll cry, but most of all, you'll be moved at how far the girls have come since that fateful summer when they found the pants.
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missmissy
adult
 
This is a great book for all teen girls.
I loved this book. I would say it is a must read for all teen girls, but dont forget to read the first two.
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iliveforyou3
adult
 
LOVE IT!!!!!!
this book was amazing i fell in love with it from the first page of course i've read the whole series LOL
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LissaNicky
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Read the whole series!
Good book, could have done without the sex. Its very heart warming. Read the whole series!
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dodobird16
parent of 13 year old
12
 
i think that this book really teaches you what happens behind family and friends and it gives you clues on boy drama i think that when i read it it changed me i even learned to control my temper.this also shows the importance of friends. there are some sexual things but its ot graphic trust me!! definatly ead this its sooooo good
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gigglegirl77
teen, 17 years old
 
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superjojo
kid, 10 years old
15
 
it is NOT for young children
it is NOT for young children they have many sexual refrenses and dosn't have good rollmodles. parents should read befor their child. WATCHOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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