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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
Fans of the Sisterhood series (myself included) know that Ann Brashares's characters can sometimes have wisdom well beyond their years - creating complex metaphors for their lives, instantly seeing the consequences of their actions. The same happens here, except the characters are middle schoolers.
SpoilerThat being said, the message of this book is something I find even more important than that of the original Sisterhood series. You don't need a pair of pants to keep you together, to keep you close, to almost force you to be close. They tried to copy the Sisterhood, and failed. Realistically, these girls find themselves drifting apart as they find other friends and interests. I almost wish that the story ended with the girls realizing that their childhood friendships were not meant to last, only because that is a more common occurrence at that stage in life. But the second-best case, they find out the importance of true friends, something covered very little in the original series (where the girls always intended to remain friends and stuck by each other through everything).
The book is labeled a semi-sequel - it takes place in the same universe as the Sisterhood, and those characters are referenced occasionally. I read the original series and loved it, but I don't think prior experience is a requirement for liking this book. However, I think the very young (especially those too young for the original series) will enjoy it most.
SpoilerThat being said, the message of this book is something I find even more important than that of the original Sisterhood series. You don't need a pair of pants to keep you together, to keep you close, to almost force you to be close. They tried to copy the Sisterhood, and failed. Realistically, these girls find themselves drifting apart as they find other friends and interests. I almost wish that the story ended with the girls realizing that their childhood friendships were not meant to last, only because that is a more common occurrence at that stage in life. But the second-best case, they find out the importance of true friends, something covered very little in the original series (where the girls always intended to remain friends and stuck by each other through everything).
The book is labeled a semi-sequel - it takes place in the same universe as the Sisterhood, and those characters are referenced occasionally. I read the original series and loved it, but I don't think prior experience is a requirement for liking this book. However, I think the very young (especially those too young for the original series) will enjoy it most.
Though this novel shares a setting with the Traveling Pants books, this is a new story.
Ama, Jo, and Polly have been friends since they were children, but find themselves growing apart as they prepare to enter high school. Ama is an academic overachiever who wins a scholarship to an outdoor camp--her worst nightmare. Jo stays at the beach house with her mother for the summer and her father does not join them. It's a "trial separation," but Jo has little hope for her fractured family. Throw in a cute boy with a jealous girlfriend and Jo has more than she can handle. Polly struggles with her self-esteem as she tries to diet her curvaceous body into a model-thin ideal.
Though their individual struggles take them in different directions, the girls finally realize what real friendship is all about.
Ama, Jo, and Polly have been friends since they were children, but find themselves growing apart as they prepare to enter high school. Ama is an academic overachiever who wins a scholarship to an outdoor camp--her worst nightmare. Jo stays at the beach house with her mother for the summer and her father does not join them. It's a "trial separation," but Jo has little hope for her fractured family. Throw in a cute boy with a jealous girlfriend and Jo has more than she can handle. Polly struggles with her self-esteem as she tries to diet her curvaceous body into a model-thin ideal.
Though their individual struggles take them in different directions, the girls finally realize what real friendship is all about.
A fine book, but it lacked the spark of Traveling Pants books. I liked the overlap on the fringes - the girls in this book go to the same high school as the four from Traveling Pants, but they weren't as endearing as Tibby, Carmen, Lena, and Bree. It's a solid YA book, but it lacks the crossover appeal - I'd only recommend to diehard YA fans.
I felt that the parents read a little like the adults in a Peanuts cartoon, but it was still good to revisit Bethesda, albeit with new faces.
3.5 stars. If you’re reading the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, this is not a necessary read. It’s pretty much a spin off with three new girls the summer before high school. It’s a cute read, but it also does cover some more serious issues like alcoholism and body image. This one doesn’t hold the nostalgia that the Pants series does for me, but it was still a good read.
I started this book thinking that I was reading the new sisterhood of the travelling pants one, but then realised it was more of a spin off. I didn't think that the characters came to life as well as the characters in the other series. I wouldn't read another one about these characters.
3.5 stars.
Honestly, all 3 of the girls annoy me. Ama I have some sympathy for, but she's rather prone to jumping to conclusions. Also quitting. Jo can be so arrogant and selfish; Polly's babyish and hard to relate to or believe. They also fight for half the book, which seems to undercut the theme of sisterhood.
Honestly, all 3 of the girls annoy me. Ama I have some sympathy for, but she's rather prone to jumping to conclusions. Also quitting. Jo can be so arrogant and selfish; Polly's babyish and hard to relate to or believe. They also fight for half the book, which seems to undercut the theme of sisterhood.
From the author of "The sisterhood of the traveling pants", this book is suitable for a younger audience. The "sisterhood" are legends, and Effie (Lena's sister) makes an appearance. Overall, it was a perfect beach read, although I read most of it on planes. It's the story of three girls who had been best friends for about 5 years. As they finish junior high, they have grown apart. It is the summer before their freshman year, and each has challenges she must face within her new self. Will the challenges bring them back together? Well, you must read to find out. There was one major problem I had with one of the story lines so stop reading if you don't want to find out.....one of the girls goes on a wilderness adventure for school credit. She's the "brainy" one and does not want to do this; she wanted to do an academic study. One night, she sleeps outside of her tent, rolls down a hill (without waking up? really?), and is left behind in the morning. She finds her way to a rangers station. All this was a little unrealistic to me as would a group really not take a roll call being that they are responsible for these minors? And, suddenly, she's good at reading maps well enough to know how to find the rangers station? Perhaps, but I found it hard to believe.
One of Ann Brashares strengths is that she puts so much into her characters that readers can always find someone like them. The experiences the girls have never seem over the top or unrealistic, and their friendship will resonate with readers making the transition from middle school to high school.
Although reminiscent of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Polly, Ama, and Jo each bring something new to the story - and their stories are original. Fans will enjoy the appearances made by characters from the previous series, as well. 3 Willows is a great pick for readers looking for a wonderful, charming book about the challenges of friendship and growing up.
Although reminiscent of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Polly, Ama, and Jo each bring something new to the story - and their stories are original. Fans will enjoy the appearances made by characters from the previous series, as well. 3 Willows is a great pick for readers looking for a wonderful, charming book about the challenges of friendship and growing up.