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Summer Sisters by Judy Blume — book cover

Summer Sisters

by Judy Blume
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Overview

In the summer of 1977, Victoria Leonard’s world changes forever when Caitlin Somers chooses her as a friend. Dazzling, reckless Caitlin welcomes Vix into the heart of her sprawling, eccentric family, opening doors to a world of unimaginable privilege, sweeping her away to vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, an enchanting place where the two friends become “summer sisters.”

Now, years later, Vix is working in New York City. Caitlin is getting married on the Vineyard. And the early magic of their long, complicated friendship has faded. But Caitlin begs Vix to come to her wedding, to be her maid of honor. And Vix knows that she will go—because Vix wants to understand what happened during that last shattering summer. And, after all these years, she needs to know why her best friend—her summer sister—still has the power to break her heart.

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Synopsis

In the summer of 1977, Victoria Leonard's world changed forever—when Caitlin Somers chose her as a friend. Dazzling, reckless Caitlin welcomed Vix into the heart of her sprawling, eccentric family, opening doors to a world of unimaginable privilege, sweeping her away to vacations on Martha's Vineyard, a magical, wind-blown island where two friends became summer sisters. . . .

Now, years later, Vix is working in New York City. Caitlin is getting married on the Vineyard. And the early magic of their long, complicated friendship has faded. But Caitlin has begged Vix to come to her wedding, to be her maid of honor. And Vix knows that she will go—for the friend whose casual betrayals she remembers all too well. Because Vix wants to understand what happened during that last shattering summer. And, after all these years, she needs to know why her best friend—her summer sister—still has the power to break her heart....

Cosmopolitan

You'll love it like a sister.

About the Author, Judy Blume

A pioneer of books for young adults and the author of classics such as Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, the Fudge series, and many others, Judy Blume has always had the uncanny ability to capture the embarrassments and worries of growing up, striking comforting chords with readers of all ages.

Reviews

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Editorials

Cosmopolitan

You'll love it like a sister.

Denver Post

An exceptionally moving story. . .a rich tapestry of characters.

Hartford Courant

Her writing sings.

Ruth Coughlin

Compulsively readable. . .her powers are prodigious. -- NY Times Book Review

Seattle Times

Blume catches perfectly the well-armored love between longtime female friends.

Library Journal

Blume's new novel for adults will appeal primarily to those who loved young adult novels when they were YAs themselves. Narrator Annabeth Gish's tone, unfortunately, is that of a jaded know-it-all (adults are soooo absolutely out of it). The story concerns rather implausibly a friendship begun when Caitlin and Vix (for Victoria) are 12. Caitlin, daughter of wealthy, divorced parents, declares that Vix, eldest daughter in a blue-collar family, will be her best friend. Caitlin invites Vix to spend the summer at the family home on Martha's Vineyard. Vix is taken in by Caitlin's family, who arrange for her scholarship to private school and then support her Harvard education. Summers on the Vineyard are filled with sun and adolescent sexual encounters. The girls' friendship endures betrayal, love for the same man, and diverging career paths. Gish's "attitude" is very wearing on the listener; it is a relief that this is a three-hour abridgment and not the entire book.--Nann Blaine Hilyard, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL

School Library Journal

Caitlin lives with her mother in Sante Fe, but spends summers on a New England island with her father, brother, and stepmother. Both parents give her free rein, and her beauty, independence, and talent for getting away with outrageous behavior make her an intriguing star to her middle school classmates. Victoria can't understand why Caitlin would single her out to be her "summer sister" on Martha's Vineyard as she sees herself as quiet and dull. She senses, though, that this vacation is an important turning point and convinces her conservative parents to let her go. The girls become fast friends, sharing six unforgettable summers together. The strength of the novel lies in the portrayal of those six seasons. The author provides an engaging tableau of teenage experiences, worries, and emotions. Together, the girls cope with their changing bodies, difficult family relationships, boyfriends, and concerns about their futures. After high school graduation, Victoria goes on to college and a career while Caitlin travels to Europe and spins out of control. She even marries Victoria's former lover and has his child before escaping to Europe. The end of the novel seems rushed but, overall, both the story and the girls will quickly capture readers' interest. The author's perceptive treatment of special childhood moments, the trials and joys of adolescence, and the magical possibilities of summer make this an entertaining read.- Mary Alice Giarda, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Seattle Times

Blume catches perfectly the well-armored love between longtime female friends.

The Denver Post

An exceptionally moving story. . .a rich tapestry of characters.

Book Details

Published
May 1, 1999
Publisher
Random House Publishing Group
Pages
416
Format
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN
9780440226437

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