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I tried to ignore the hype, the flocking
customers, the chatter, and of course those cutesy-looking blue jeans on the
covers. However, when I realized that perfectly intelligent people, whose
opinions I value when it comes to literature, were singing the praises of some
contemporary teen novels (not the greatest evil, but certainly not my first,
second or third choice of genre), my interest was piqued.
Ann Brashares' three-novel phenom begins with The Sisterhood of the Traveling
Pants. Tibby, Carmen, Bridget, and Lena are proclaimed friends for life. The
four fifteen-year olds are entering into the summer following their sophomore
year of high school. It will be their first summer spent separately, and in true
teen-age girl fashion, they fear disconnection. Shopping at a thrift store,
Carmen finds a seemingly ordinary pair of blue jeans that she nearly discards
after purchasing. These blue jeans, however, are far from ordinary. Fitting each
girl perfectly (picture the pair of pants you don't dare throw away), the jeans
are determined to be magical. Deemed "The Traveling Pants," they are the
solution to their time apart. Throughout the summer the girls share the pants,
recording important events on the unwashed denim and drawing strength from them
that would normally be found in each other.
I am aware that the storyline sounds in danger of being immature and
melodramatic. However, the three novels have something very important elements
working in their favor: Anne Brashares is a good writer. Her words are
eloquent, the characters are likeable, and the story is far from only being
about a pair of blue jeans. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The
Second Summer of the Sisterhood, and Girls in Pants span the three
summers before the girls leave for separate colleges. The novels involve common
themes of family, death and first loves, but with unique details that give the
individual stories dimension. Brashares loves her characters and took great care
in creating four distinct, intelligent young women who are not without the
personal faults, inner turmoils and confusions to which any teenager can
relate. The maturity with which the
novels are written bridge generation gaps, placing it above many of the 'coming
of age' stories that have been written for teens in the past few years.
Teens, if you are looking for contemporary teen novels that won't damage your
brain cells, read these! Everyone else, ignore the hype, the chatter and those
cutesy-looking blue jeans. Take a chance; if you hate them, you know where to
find me.
Review by Meridith Jones, August 7, 2005
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