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The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
- By Ann Brashares
- Genre: Friendship
Common Sense Media says
Second book in friendship series is a good fit for teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sequel continues to focus on the relationships of four close friends. The girls demonstrate a great love for each other, and teens can learn a lot from how they support each other. There's some mature material -- one teen faces her mother's suicide of years ago, while another single mother has an affair. Plus, the girls make out with boys (more than in the first book) and make some poor decisions from time to time. But it's the strong friendships as well as the girls' individual coming-of-age stories that make this series sing.
What's the story?
The girls embark on another dramatic summer in THE SECOND SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD. Tibby goes off to a film school's summer program, where she'll confront her relationships with her mother, her sort-of-boyfriend Brian, and her late friend Bailey. Bridget goes to Alabama under an alias to reestablish contact with her maternal grandmother and delve into her own and her late mother's past. Lena discovers things in her mother's past that she'd rather not know; she also returns to Greece for her grandfather's death and to find out why Kostos has broken off their relationship. And Carmen, having ripped apart and resewn her relationship with her father in the previous book, now does the same with her mother, who has fallen in love.
Is it any good?
Author Ann Brashares is a strong writer, and the scenes and events flash easily by, imbued with good and important lessons that aren't too didactic. Fans of the first book -- and there are lots of them -- will certainly want to follow the girls' melodrama into its second summer and will be enthralled as their favorite characters plow through their trials and tribulations.
There's more of everything here: more pages (it's almost 100 pages longer than the first book), more peripheral characters (so many that it's sometimes hard to keep track), more tears, more dark and selfish behavior, and more graphic make-out scenes. Even the Pants travel around more, though they're less central to the plot. Even though the characters are less sympathetic and less dependent on each other in this book than they were in the first novel, . The Second Summer will resonate with fans of the first book, as much of what happens to the girls this summer builds on events from before.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about friendship. How are girl friendships in particular typically portrayed in the media? Does this book offer a counterpoint to many of those representations? How?
How do publishers decide which books will be stand alone and which ones deserve sequels?
This book was much longer than the first -- is it as good? Do you expect each installment to be equally well done?
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AGE
One of my fave books. In a way you get to know the girls as one of your friends. You relate to them through hard times and good times. You learn from this book. Also even the moms in this book learn their story, which is setting a good rolemodel for their girls. Amazing charecter, I cant wait to read the 3rd one!
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AGE
Great!
Great like the first book. A little more sad and dramatic, though. Worth-reading.
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AGE
The best book ever!
When I finnished reading this book, these girls were ny best friends. I cired for Lena, I was proud of Tibby, I laughed at Carmen, and I was happy for Brigdet. The only thing that would of made this book better is Bailey (R.I.P) but obviously she can't come back. The hummor in this book is wonderful! Yes it swares but doesn't everyone? So we have alredy herd others say these swares. The message was wonderful! Peole should read it who are 11 and up because thats when the story will appeal to them and need to be exposed to these topics. They have sex (Kostos gf gets pregent and Lena goes pretty far with Kostos) but they don't describe it. they just talk about Lena's overwhelmingliny saddness. It's a wonderful book with mother daughter relationships, boyfriends, young love, friendship, and much more! I am 12 and I read it. Fabulos book!
Read this book if:
*Your mom is staring to date again
*Boyfriend broke up with you
*Made a mistake
*Had someone die in your family/friends
*Or just need a good book
Trust me, you will LOVE it!
Laugh. Cry. Love. Share The Pants!
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AGE
okay...a little dramatic
This was a pretty good book but i liked the first one better. Can't wait to read the last one!
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AGE
Great Book =)
I read The First Now i Am reading This One Great Book!
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AGE
Great Book
I thought that this book was better than the first. I agree that some parts of the book was not right for the book. Overall I thiught that the book was great.
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AGE
A great book for teens...
It's a very good book. I would not recommend for young teens...
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| Author: | Ann Brashares |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Friendship |
| Publisher: | Delacorte Press |
| Publication date: | April 22, 2003 |
| Number of pages: | 370 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.95 |
| Paperback price: | $6.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
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