Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Book 1) by Ann Brashares.
I don't really feel strongly one way or another about this
book. It was a great book about teenage friendship and the hardships we all
faced at that age: boys, family, and friends. This is a book about four best
friends, practically sisters, about to spend their first summer apart since
they were in utero. Lena is on her way to Greece, Bridget is going to soccer
camp, Carmen is headed to South Carolina to visit her dad, and Tibby is stuck
home with her first part time job. Before departing, they find a pair of pants
that magically fits all four of them, despite having very different body types. While
off on each of their adventures, they all find something that brings their
world crashing down. The book was cute, and Brashares made you really care
about each of girls and even secondary characters. I did, however, find much
that really bothered me about the book. First off, I think this could have been
the same story of friendship without the magic pants. I never saw it as the
pants giving them bravery or courage, but it was them doing it to have a story
to tell with the pants. Second, I think some of the story lines were dull and
inadequate. Lena and Kostos should have had more of a story line. Given Lena's
personality, I feel like that's where the strange love story should have come
into play. The thing that bothered me most was the lack of character
development. The only one who really changes is Tibby. Despite everything the
rest of them went through the summer, I didn't see a change in any of them
from beginning to end. The thing I loved most though was all the true emotions this book portrayed. You really felt for Carmen when her whole summer blew up
after one car ride. Your heart truly broke for Tibby when she learned how much
worse things could really be. And mostly you understood the whole let down
Bridget experiences at camp. I wish I had read this when I was younger, because
I would have gotten much more out of it than I did. I think it is a
heartwarming story that if I was a teenager I would have loved reading. As an
adult, it seems oddly reminiscent of a summer I didn't get to experience, but
am still glad I got to read about it. I really enjoyed each of their stories. The
girls were all unique. Lena was my favorite, probably because she was shy and
quiet like me. Carmen was so sure of herself. Tibby thought she knew what was
going on with the people around town but they surprised her. Her friendship
with Bailey was super sweet. Bridget got on my nerves a bit, since she was so
overconfident and cocky at the beginning. My other complaint is how at some
points the writing seemed clunky. Not only that, but sometimes the characters
would say things that could've been said in a clearer way and those minor
details sort-of unnerved me. Also, Lena's romance with Kostos seemed a little
too quick. They hardly talked to one another, and then right before she leaves
back home she suddenly realizes she loves him? Hmm. I didn't really like that.
But Lena is cool, either way. There's something magical about those summers in
high school, filled with possibilities and new experiences. The Sisterhood of
the Traveling Pants speaks to that, while also celebrating women and female
friendships. There's romance, but there's also a healthy dose of
self-awareness, self-discovery, and inner strength formed in each character. A
fast read with substance, set in the glorious summer days of youth. I would
truly recommend this book to any teenage girl and any mom who has a teenage
daughter, because sometimes you need to be reminded of what it is like to be
fifteen and sixteen.
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