Module 7 - Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Cover art retrieved from its listing on worldcat

 Bibliography

Brashares, A.  (2001). The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  New York: Delacorte Press

 Summary

Lena, Tibby, Carmen, and Bridget are best friends who do everything together.  At least that was the case until they are forced to spend the summer apart.  On their last day together, Carmen brings a pair of pants that she found at a thrift store.  She was going to throw them out but all of her friends liked them.  The decision was made that whomever the pants fit, that person would take them for the summer, but the unthinkable happened; they fit each of them perfectly, even though each of the girls wore different sizes.  A schedule for the pants is created, going first with Lena who will be visiting Greece who in turn would send the pants to Tibby, who sends it to Carmen, who finally sends it to Bridget.  Each of the girls deals with important issues in their lives, which seems to improve once they receive the pants.

My Impressions

I think this is a great book for middle school or young adult girls.  The book deals with family issues, relationships, and boys, which are prominent in most girls’ lives today.  Sometimes having a book that they can relate to makes everything come into perspective.  I think this is the perfect book for girls to relate their own issues.

Reviews/Awards

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2003

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2002

“A complex book about a solid group of friends, with each one a strong and courageous individual in her own right.  They form a true sisterhood of acceptance and support, resulting in a believable and inviting world.”  —School Library Journal.

“A feel-good novel of substance.  Move over, Ya-Ya Sisters.”  —Kirkus Reviews

“The different story lines are competently interwoven, and the friends emerge at summer's end stronger for their experiences.”  —Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2002

Suggested Activities

Since this is the first book in a series, it would be a good title to use for introducing series books.  This can be done through a book talk at a public library or for a class unit on realistic fiction or series books at a school library.