Rating:  Summary: Sisterly Bonding Review: As the years go by, we learn from our childhood experiences. The environment they grew up in also plays a role in their behavior. As the story goes on, we can see how two different girls share something in common. They swore to be sisters at heart, but aren't there some limits that sisters have to abide by? I enjoyed reading this book. It kept my interest regarding teen issues. It touched on issues such as peer pressure, self confidence, and family situations. This story first starts off in 1977 when they were children growing up in New Mexico. They spend their first summer together on Caitlins vineyard on a island. They share experiences with each other learning from both failures as well as sucesses. As they grow older, they become stronger mentally and go on their own ways. Knowing the differenes between them, they still have a link that makes them sisters at heart. As a teenager, i can look back and reflect on my past experiences . Reading this book reminds me of the morals i have set as a child and have let go as the years flown by. Now i reflect and strenghten those morals that has made me. I recommend this book to teenagers who need to look at life in a new light. As years go by, we all change and forget the simple joys we know. The simple joys are the joys that help make life more enjoyable.
Rating:  Summary: Summers at the vineyard Review: Author bio: Ever since she was a child Judy Blume made up stories in her head. When her children started preschool was when she first began writing, and she started out writing only children's books. Now she writes both novels and children's books and is widely recognized for both. Judy Blume doesn't like to have her books set in places she is unfamiliar with. That is why many of her books take place in New Mexico, New Jersey, and Maine. Parts of Summer Sisters take place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Many women that grew up reading Judy Blume's earlier books are now responding to her more recent ones. She loves the fan mail she is receiving, and she responds back to as many letters as she can.Evaluation: Vix and Caitlin first go the vineyard together when they are twelve years old. As they return there every summer they experience new things such as sex, love, and learning. The girls are total opposites, but that may very well be what actually brings them together. Vix is a shy and reserved girl, while Caitlin loves to be the center of attention, and she is extravagantly beautiful. Each summer they return to the vineyard they grow closer and closer together, and they eventually call themselves "summer sisters." The first real conflict between them comes up the summer when they are seventeen. They are both at the beach with their boyfriend's having a great time, but a great time takes a turn for the worse when something very unexpected happens. The friendship gets mended with time, but it is not until they are adults that their friendship is really tested. After not talking to Vix for a long time, Caitlin calls her with astonishing news and a huge favor to ask of her. This is one thing that Vix doesn't know if she can do for Caitlin. When reading this story there is no limit to what type of emotion you will feel. At times it will make you laugh hysterically, but at other times it will make you cry. Judy Blume does a great job in explaining how complicated an adolescent friendship can, and she always makes it clear that the past is not easily forgotten. Summer Sisters is one of those books that you're never going to want to put down. The reading is enjoyable and never boring. I think that it could touch the hearts of both adults and teenagers because both can relate to the book. The ending of the book is very unpredictable, and the reader will be totally taken by surprise. In addition to the surprise ending, the reader will be able to interpret the ending as they see fit.
Rating:  Summary: Wonderful!! Review: Well, there was never a dull moment in this book! I thought it was great...Vix and Caitlin were wonderful entertainment! I'm not sure I believe that Vix would continue to be friends with Caitlin after all the awful things she does to her...but who knows. It made for good reading. I was a little annoyed with the ending, (which is why there are only 4 stars here) I like to know exactly what's going on, and have a solid ending to the books I read, I didn't like the big question mark hanging over the end of this book. Overall though it was a really enjoyable read, I couldn't put it down!!!
Rating:  Summary: The Best Book Review: I love this book, it was worth the reading. Never a dull moment
Rating:  Summary: Really Disappointed Review: There is nothing better than reading a well-written story of friendship...this is not it. Caitlin is a brash and free-spirited girl, and when she is twelve, she begins a friendship with quieter, shyer Victoria. Each summer, the girls go to Caitlin's father's house in Martha's Vineyard, and their experiences on these summer travels shape the rest of their lives. Events, often selfish and immature ones, strain the frienship at times, yet no matter what, the bond between the "summer sisters" endures. After you read that description, you are probably thinking how warm and fuzzy this book would be to read. But it's not. First of all, it's hard to really LIKE the characters. Caitlin, especially, is very, very selfish and never works to improve herself. Yes, she's exciting and spirited, yet the fact that she never grows up and seems to mainly "dump" on Victoria isn't remotely appealing. Victoria ("Vix") isn't much better. She just doesn't seem to have any personality. One could say that's she's loyal to Caitlin, but it often seemed that she just didn't have the self-esteem or courage to get out of such a nutty relationship. With its selfishness and strained moments, this "frienship" seemed more like dysfunction. Also, there was way too much sex in this novel. It's almost deceptive to say that this is a story about friendship; each girl, especially Caitlin, seems unhealthily focused on SEX. And lots of it! I am puzzled as to why Blume chose to portray two girls who so casually had sex with so many people. Yes, I know teenagers and adults DO have sex, yet why focus so much on such twisted sex lives? Especially in the latter half of the novel, a sex scene was in nearly every chapter...not for the sake of making any point, I think, but just to add some supposedly juicy parts. The only thing that remotely redeems this book are the interesting viewpoints from secondary characters present throughout the novel. I kept reading simply because I thought at some point someone would become a mature, interesting, and inspiring character, but unfortunately that never really happened.
Rating:  Summary: It's Great Review: "Summer Sisters" By Judy Blume The book Summer Sisters, by Judy Blume is a nonfiction book about friendship, love, and the realities of life. This book was very interesting to me; a teenage girl, because the characters in the book at one point were my age and faced the same issues I face in life. This book was about two best friends who face many problems through life, but are always there for eachother. The help eachother through problems, like drugs, first relationships, marriage, children, and life. Victoria Leonard and Caitlin Somers are best friends. Even though they have problems through the years they stick together like true summer sisters do. Caitlin and Victoria come from very different worlds. Caitlin comes from a very wealthy and well-known family. Victoria comes from a hard work family that is more on the average side. Every summer since the age of twelve, Caitlin has invited Victoria to her summerhouse on Martha's Vineyard. On the wind-blown Island they find friendship, drama, love, and teamwork. This book affected me in many ways. It showed me that other teens are going through the same problems I am. It also taught me a great life lesson. It taught me that at some point you should forgive and forget, because there are bigger problems going on in the world. This book was excellent; I recommend it to teens and young adults. It teaches great life lessons, and puts things into perspectives. I give it five stars! by:A.S.
Rating:  Summary: Through Everything-Summer Sisters Forever Review: Victoria Leonard's whole life is turned upside down when the most popular girl in class, Caitlin Somers, asks her to spend the summer with her on Martha's Vineyard. This racy book deals with the upsides and downsides of best friends, of being Summer Sisters. On the vineyard Vix and Caitlin learn the adventures and heartbreaks of true love, the importance of family, and find themselves. Vix finds that throughout all Caitlin's reckless betrayals she will still always love her, as her Summer Sister. Vix is quiet and reserved and Caitlin is wild and outgoing. Vix comes from a struggling family with many brothers and sisters. Caitlin's parents are divorced and still learning how to be adults, let alone parents. Vix is very intelligent and was accepted to Harvard and Caitlin skips college to travel the world. In spite of their differences the two come together every summer and share experiences that they will remember all their lives. I personally loved the book. It shows the hardships the two girls go through to discover themselves. You go deep into the minds of the very different characters of the book. Judy Blume sucks you into the book and you never want to put it down. When the character's hearts are broken, your heart is broken, you feel with the characters. I recommend this book to all women who want to remember the excitement of first love and best friends.
Rating:  Summary: Absolute chick drama Review: This book brings me back to the days of growing up with my best friend. Blume totally taps into your deepest emotions from every angle and every aspect. I've literally felt growned up after reading this book. If you ever felt insecure or that the grass is always greener on the other side, then this is a must read.
Rating:  Summary: Wonderful Review: I love this book. I have now read it 4 times. It is like a good movie that you want to watch over and over again.
Rating:  Summary: Classic Judy, a must have for all women. Review: This book, like for instance Charles Frazier's "Cold Mountain" breaks a new genre--its hard to categorize, and for that alone it is wonderful. A lot of people have complained this book is too 'childish' or 'boring' and I want to give them a slap! I digress, of course I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I respect everyone's opinions, but sometimes I do think people overlook or simply just can't see the beauty and truth that lies in this novel by legendary childrens and teens author, Judy Blume. First off, this is not a book for children--Judy Blume stated this quite clearly in many interviews, and it isn't. I wouldn't want my twelve year old reading it. Its full of sex but not in the 'romance book filler' kind of way, its real, its experiences most of us can read and reminince about. I first read this when I was fourteen, and six years later I still not only relate to it but i'm still wrapped up in Vix, Caitlin, their families, friends and adventures. The genre is time-old classic, but I don't think it is really told very well by the authors who turn out 'women friendship' books fifty times a year. The story itself, two women, best friends (although certainly its not a healthy relationship) who compete with each other, who love each other, who are jealous of each other's husbands for having a part of them they can never have (but not in the sexual way) but who have grown up together and know each other better then they thought is a story every second woman can relate too if not entirely but partly. I have given a copy to two of my best friends, who in turn have given it to their friends or sisters or mothers. This novel isn't just about sex and friendship. Its about family, college, growing up, death, loving a place so much you can't breathe, making choices, learning and growing from your choices and loving a friend who is intent on self destruction. It may seem simple at first, but it will stay with you, nurture you and grow with you, until you too find yourself thinking about Caitlin's stepmom Abby, Vix's crush Bru, ot Vix's disabled brother Nathan, or the loveable Gus, and especially the mysterious Caitlin. Read it on the beach, and let those feelings of nostalgia flow over you like water--and drift off to Martha's Vineyard and get wrapped up in Caitlin and Vix, summer sisters.
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