Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood
Common Sense says
- Ann Brashares
- Friendship
- 2007
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sisterhood has grown up. In this last installment of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, the four friends are losing their virginities, fearing pregnancy, posing nude for artists, becoming involved with married men, and drinking a fair amount of alcohol. Like many young adults, they are also learning much more about themselves and facing painful realizations from their pasts, often with tears but also self-acceptance. Though they spend less time with their sisterhood counterparts, they keep their connection intact via phone, email, letters, and, of course, the run-down, never-been-washed pair of blue jeans. While the series' start was a good fit for older tweens, this is really better for a more mature reader, who will better understand what the characters are feeling.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Forever in Blue.........Fab
Never will I allow it. . . .
For older readers, but a great story
What's the story?
It's the fourth summer for the women of the Sisterhood: Bridget works on a dig in Turkey and becomes involved with a married man; Lena returns to RISD, becomes involved with a boy in her class, and is reunited with an old flame from Greece; Tibby enrolls in a summer class in New York, takes her relationship with boyfriend Brian to the next level, and then questions everything about it; Carmen, under the wing of a popular friend at school, travels to Vermont to pursue theater, lands a plum role, and must face her friend-turned-rival. The four women keep in touch electronically and through the pants, until the pants disappear. This loss brings them together and on a trek to Greece to search for this symbol of their bond.
Is it any good?
This book is a logical and satisfying end to a successful series, though the subject matter is a better fit for teens, who will better understand what the girls are going through. The main characters continue to grow into their own unique women; as they transition to young adulthood, all four struggle with learning more about who they are, but they accept their faults, solve problems on their own, and embrace the future. There's enough plotting here to keep readers interested in these beloved character's stories -- and even the magical pants themselves go on a little adventure.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about this book's more mature content. Why do you think the author decided to include more sex and romance in the final book in this series? Do you think that was a good choice?
Also, these books have been made into movies. How do they compare? Do you like it when your books become movies -- or do you prefer to have your own ideas about what the characters look like?
Book details
- Author: Ann Brashares
- Genre: Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: January 9, 2007
- Number of pages: 400
For kids who love romantic reads
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