Sisterhood Everlasting

Summer book #18: Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

I came across this book one day while perusing the aisles at Target.  I didn't buy it that day because I am vehemently opposed to spending $12 for a paperback book.  So, I came home, and bought it off of ebay for a fraction of that.

I have read all of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants books.  Way back when I used to watch Good Morning America, it was recommended for mothers to read with their daughters. I thought I'd read them to see if the books were something I would share with my daughter when she was old enough. I fell in love with these books.  The bonds that Bee, Tibby, Lena, and Carmen shared were magical, and you knew that they'd always be friends. When Forever in Blue came out, I thought that was the end for these girls. Imagine my surprise to learn that there was another book.

I started this book on Sunday evening, and finished last night.  It started out like all of the other books in the series: catching up on the lives of each of the girls.  It's been ten years in their lives, and although they are still good friends, their lives have taken different directions.  Carmen is an actress in New York, engaged to a man she's not sure she loves. Lena is an art teacher in Rhode Island, but still wonders what would have happened between herself and Kostos. Bee live in California with Eric, the boy she met at soccer camp all those years ago.  She's a wanderer, and has trouble staying in one place. Tibby lives in Australia with Brian.

They've lost touch incrementally over the years, and Tibby tries to bridge that gap.  She sends them each a plane ticket to meet her at Lena's grandparent's house in Santorini, Greece.  Bee, Lena, and Carmen can't hold in their excitement to all be together again, but are quickly sobered when Tibby doesn't come to pick them up.  Why? Because Tibby died, drowned in the waters of the Caldera.  This is a blow to the girls, and they grow further apart.  For months they don't talk to each other.  Things don't feel the same without Tibby. Tibby, however, anticipates this, and gives each of them letters from beyond the grave with instructions.

Will the remaining Septembers follow the directions? What will they learn about themselves? Will they ever be close again? Read and find out.

Despite the fact that I was sad throughout most of this book, I enjoyed it. It ended well, and Brashares left it open to revisit it later, if she so chooses.  Maybe not my favorite summer book, it was one I enjoyed. Not it will find a place on a shelf in my classroom library.