Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick

I found this book on a clearance rack at a big box book store. I almost looked past it but then saws the name Judy Blume and thought, Awww maybe my niece would like to start reading her books. You see, I LOVED Judy Blume as a young girl. But as I read the dust jacket I realized this wasn’t a teenage novel. Judy Blume had written an adult book - apparently a few of them - so of COURSE I had to buy it! And I’m glad I did. Easy read and definitely one of my beach books, but I loved the story and found myself reading it in a single sitting….just like I did as a teenager.

Young or old this is truly a wonderful story about friendship between two girls who have completely different personalities. Blended families, non-nurturing parents, low-income and wealthy parents who have difficulties relating to their children. There is a surprising twist to the plot that was a little unrealistic. Judy kept my attention by her complex characters. A very enjoyable read.

I, too, am a Judy Blume fan from years ago as a teenager and was excited to read Blume as an 'adult' writer. I was not disappointed. Though shocking at times, this story of the friendship that blossoms between unlikely friends - Caitlin and Victoria - drew me in and held me tight. I loved the honesty and frankness in Blume's writing, especially when talking about the growing and changing in these young women's bodies and minds. I'm sure these are things many young girls have thought about and experimented with, but no other author addresses them so openly. The story continues as these two young girls explore love and sex and relationships apart from each other, yet remaining best friends through it all.The tragic ending was a surprise but I appreciated the reality of the book, rather than wrapping it up all neat and clean. Victoria deserved true happiness, after being loyal to her first friend for so long, and I'm glad she found it.

Any woman who has had a best friend will enjoy this story of two girls from different worlds who become best friends. The shared laughter, heartbreaks and other problems of growing up are all there for the reader to experience all over again. This book is a quick read that will take you back to your own teenage years and the struggle to become a woman that we all must go through. Ms. Blume has a knack for bringing back memories both good and bad. Read this book and enjoy the relationship between Vix and Caity. These two will surprise you.

Judy Blume is my favorite author, and once again, she has not let me down. This is by FAR my favorite book. I got lost in it over the summer and read it in 3 days. She captures the characters' emotions and the scenery so beautifully that I was disappointed when I reached the end because I wanted there to be more. If you haven't already, trust me when I tell you to READ THIS BOOK!

I've been a major fan of Judy Blume for years, ever since I read "Superfudge" (gosh, that was a long time ago!). I was very much pleased with her latest work, aimed at the adult level. It just goes to show that she is still one of the most versatile authors around.The characters of this book are just so... real. I really identified with Vix. Her at age fourteen could have been me, unsure but solid. Caitlin, by contrast, reminds me a lot of one of my friends, so confident and sophisticated and yet so vulnerable. The minor characters were extremely well done, as well, and the background issues in family and other matters really drew me in. Abby was one of my favorites; I could really understand who she must feel, watching her children and children's friends grow up and go off where she couldn't really watch over them- having to let go.Of course, the front issues of Vix and Caitlin's friendship is the real attraction. Blume's lucid writing style really played up the tale of love and heartbreak, promises and betrayal. The result was a heart-wrenching journey through two turbulent decades of well-worn friendship, and its a heckuva ride. I actually cried at the end. I was glad that everything didn't wrap up neatly. There were lots of loose ends that weren't tied, and that's the way it should be. Life isn't always perfect.I recommend this book to everyone, with the exception of children under twelve or so. I'm fourteen, and I could handle most of the sex scenes, but younger kids probably wouldn't need so many... details, shall we say? A great mother-daughter book; I might share it with my mom sometime. Definitely buy this book!