The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood of Traveling Pants, Book 2)

Since my introduction to "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" was through the movie made of the first book in this series by Ann Brashares, I was initially surprised that the titular pants did not play as important a role in the novels as they did in the film. But I quickly understood and accepted the fact that the Sisterhood was more important than the traveling pants. So even though the pants come into play in a couple of surprising ways (they do not fit one of the members of the sisterhood and they end up looking really good on someone who should not be wearing them), the focus is once again on Tibby, Lena, Bridget and Carmen.It is Lena's turn to write the introduction and as was the case the previous summer when Carmen had the honors, this portends that during "The Second Summer of the Sisterhood" that it is Lena whose life is most traumatized (at least I am willing to argue that is the case). The previous summer Tibby was the only one to stay home, so this time it is Lena and Carmen who have no place to go (at least at the start of the summer). I was not surprised that once again Bee hit the road, because of all of the girls she is the one who most needs to rediscover herself, while Tibby gets her chance to see what life is life away from friends and family for a few months.Bridget impulsively decides to go to Alabama and visit her maternal grandmother while Tibby is doing a summer film program at a college in Virginia. This summer Carmen is upset by the love life of her other parent as her mother starts doing some serious dating. As for Lena, she has decided to break off her long-distance romance with Kostos and now has to deal with being hurt and angry that he apparently has a new girlfriend back in Greece. Now, since I am the parent of a teenage girl and not myself instead of having an intense sense of identification with any or all of the Sisterhood, what I like about these novels is that the girls are all flawed, but that their friends always call them on their imperfections. Carmen is quick to anger, Lena is reluctant to talk about her feelings, Tibby has a tendency to ignore things (and people) right under her nose, and Bee is a dangerous combination of reckless and fearless. I do not know if younger readers pick up on these human flaws from the start, but Brashares does make them clear by the end of each book.If the problems Brashares gives her characters are common traits for teenagers, then hopefully her readers will endorse her idealized way of dealing with the inevitable problems that result from anger, silence, ignorance, and recklessness. These girls talk to each other about the things that friends should be talking about. When one of them wants to run and hide, then the others, either individually or collectively, seek and find her so that they can talk about the things that need to be talked about. Sometimes they even talk to their mothers (or other adults), which is obviously even harder, but which can also have good results. Granted, in this regard the Sisterhood is probably most unrealistic given the awesome destructive tendencies of teenage girls with regards to how they treat each other, but for those interested in something more proactive than what they say in "Mean Girls," these books by Brashares are a good place to go.The back of the book contains a series of Questions for Discussion. These are all multiple part questions, so you do not only have to decide which girl you would most like to be (Tibby), but which one would make the best friend for you (Tibby), and which mother you would most like to have (Christina, I think, but ask me again later on). This is followed by a conversation with Brashares and three pages of Readers Circle Books suggestions for what to read between Sisterhood novels. There is also a preview of Brashares' third book, "Girls in Pants," although that is hardly needed as a marketing ploy since I have to believe everyone who gets beyond the first book is going to read all four and bemoan the fact that the author plans to leave the Sisterhood to their own lives at that point.

'This sequel to the fictional story “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” again tells the story of the four best friends from D.C. This summer the girls all think they will be staying home besides Tibby who will be going to a film program at a college. Although, Bridget does decide to go and visit her grandmother, who she has not seen or heard from in years. This leaves Carmen and Lena home for the summer. Carmen goes through a lot this summer involving her mother, Lena has a pretty tough summer as well, and she reunites with an old friend from Greece but then is forced to go back to Greece near the end of the summer because of a tragedy in her family. A lot has changed since last summer, and the girls are experiencing new difficulties but they are still close friends. Although they all have their different experiences this summer, the pants are still sent around to each of the best friends. They all go through a lot again this summer, but once again they never lose sight of their friendship and love for each other.'“The Second Summer of the Sisterhood” is another great story for all ages from Ann Brashares. It is a great book for teenage girls, mostly because what the girls in the book go through is what teens are going through now; heartbreak, loss, friendship, and so much more. As teens grow and begin to understand that life is harder and more complex than they ever thought, it is easier to get through these awkward and tough times knowing that other people are going through the same things they are. This book is a great support system if someone needs reassurance that what they are going through is normal. Many people say the second book of a series is never as good as the first, I believe that this is false for this series. The books do not have a lot in common, they play off of each other very well. It really does help show how the girls are growing and how they are maturing, because their stories are getting to be more problematic. At the end of the summer the girls are reunited, they talked about their summers and all that happened. “Carmen let out her breath when she saw the three mothers sitting at the round table” This is showing how close the mothers have become again, for the first time after Bridget’s mothers death they all came together to talk and have a good time. The girls were all so happy to see this because I believe it gave them hope for their futures. “The Second Summer of the Sisterhood” is a great book to help girls of all ages remember what is important, friendship and staying close to the people who are loving and caring.

After I was blown away by the first installment of this series, I was quick to pick up the second. I was as skeptical as I normally am of sequels - they too often abuse the characters with distorted storylines that conflict with what we came to know and love through the original work. When this book began I was worried that it was following the same path - it seemed as if the changes that came between the first and second were done for either shock value, or to be allowed to misuse the characters for the purpose of gaining their audience to tell a story. As I continued reading, I will admit that this book felt much more slow-burning than the first, and the at times I was sure that it would leave out the powerful moments of wisdom and connection that the first brought. Remembering how the first novel had merely kept me turning pages until finally the heart-wrenching resolutions came to the major conflicts of the story, which were delivered in the final parts of the book, however, made me hold out hope - and I am glad that I did. This novel lulled me into a feeling of false omnipotence. Just when I was sure I knew exactly what was going to happen, and preparing myself for the disappointment of cliches, The author once again found a way to surprise me both with the twists of the plot and cause me to marvel at the characters and their growth in the way that I would my own friends, family, and even self. This book has delivered exactly what it should have as a sequel.

Great read

The stories of this wonderful young women continues to bring tears to my eyes! Love, disappointment and family are the base for this follow up. The book is a easy reading and you find yourself rushing to know what happens next! Nice and soft story!

My child couldn't but this book down read it in just over a week during the school hols, so it must be good

I read all the books back in high school. Wish I had adventures and friends like these girls. A good book to read over the summer.

Very pleased with this purchase! Good seller item as described and very speedy shipping.

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