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Book club questions for Summer Sisters by Judy Blume explore the themes of friendship, privilege, nostalgia, and the passage of time.
How does the dynamic between Vix and Caitlin evolve over the years, and how does their relationship shape their individual paths? How does the narrative’s shifting timelines enhance your understanding of the characters and their motivations? … and many more questions!
While reading this novel, I felt its portrayal of the ups and downs complexities of friendship were written with such authenticity that they almost mirrored real-life relationships.
What were your impressions of this novel?
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
This blog post contains the book club questions for Summer Sisters, a printable PDF at the bottom of your post for use with your book clubs, and some additional recommendations.
I’m excited to hear your unique perspectives during your book club discussions.
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section!
About the Story
Set in the summer of 1977, Summer Sisters follows the life-changing friendship between Victoria Leonard and the dazzling, reckless Caitlin Somers. From their enchanting vacations on Martha’s Vineyard to the complexities of adulthood in New York City, their bond transforms over the years.
As Caitlin’s wedding approaches, Vix is drawn back into her friend’s world, driven by a desire to uncover the truths of their past and understand why their once-unbreakable connection still holds the power to affect her deeply.
Blume beautifully explores the dynamics of friendship, nostalgia, and the lingering impact of our closest relationships.
About the Author
Judy Blume, an acclaimed author, spent her childhood in Elizabeth, NJ, crafting stories in her mind. Now, she brings those stories to life on paper, with beloved titles such as “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret“, “Superfudge” and “Blubber“.
Her books have sold a remarkable 75 million copies, translated into 26 languages. Beyond writing, Judy is dedicated to education and literacy, serving on boards and advocating for intellectual freedom.
She resides on the East Coast islands with her husband, George Cooper, and is a proud parent to three children and a grandchild.
Book Club Questions for Summer Sisters
1. Which character, Victoria (“Vix”) or Caitlin, do you relate to more in terms of personality? Are there similarities between your friendships and theirs? Have you ever encountered someone like “Caitlin”? Reflect on your own best friends and their significance in your life.
2. What draws Caitlin to befriend Vix initially? How does their friendship thrive? Consider what each of them gains from the relationship. What does Vix receive from Caitlin, and vice versa? How do these exchanges shape their bond?
3. Social class disparities are evident when Vix and Caitlin attend the Cotillion together. How does Caitlin’s candid remark about the event highlight the divide between their backgrounds: “I could practically hear Caitlin saying, ‘I thought this was going to be fun. A Cotillion. I’ve seen them on TV. Rich people with daughters in white dresses.'” Discuss how their differing socioeconomic statuses impact their attitudes and actions throughout the novel.
4. The enduring connection between Vix and Caitlin remains even as their paths diverge. What do you think sustains their closeness through the years and despite their evolving lives? How do their expectations of each other shift over time, and does this resonate with your own long-term friendships? How have your own enduring relationships transformed?
5. When Caitlin discusses Phoebe with Vix, Vix contemplates the idea that individuals might not always belong with the parents they have. Do you believe Vix is referring to her parents or Caitlin’s? What does this reveal about Vix’s sentiments toward both sets of parents? Do you agree with her perspective?
6. Martha’s Vineyard serves as a sanctuary for Caitlin and Vix, but it also mirrors their inner conflicts. Explore the symbolism of the island, especially during the beach bonfire scene: “She looked out at the ocean, the moon’s reflection shimmering on the water. This was the night, she thought. She could feel it.” How does the island’s serene beauty juxtapose with the emotional turmoil the characters experience
7. How does Vix’s relationship with Abby and Lamb influence her dynamics with her own family? To what extent does her strong bond with Caitlin’s family shape her life differently? Could Vix have forged her own path independently of her friendship with Caitlin?
8. Consider the impact of Vix and Caitlin’s respective backgrounds on their personalities. Would their core traits have remained unchanged if their circumstances were reversed? How do you envision their behavior in a world with reversed situations?
9. Judy Blume employs a non-linear narrative to explore the characters’ past and present. Analyze how the shifting timelines reveal crucial moments in Caitlin and Vix’s lives, such as Caitlin’s wedding: “‘Do you, Caitlin Somers, take this man…?’ ‘I do,’ she said, her voice strong and sure.” How does this narrative technique enhance your understanding of the characters’ motivations and the development of their individual stories
10. Could a future between Vix and Bru ever have materialized? Was their breakup inevitable, or could she have pursued her fulfillment while being with him? Can you draw any parallels between their relationship and your own experiences with first love?
11. What prompts Caitlin’s decision to pursue a relationship with Bru and eventually marry him? What aspects of a settled life and motherhood appeal to her? Was this a conscious choice on her part, or did circumstances lead her down this path?
12. The characters in the book often make choices that lead to both positive and negative consequences. Can you identify instances where decisions made by Vix, Caitlin, or other characters shaped their destinies? How do these choices reflect their values and priorities
13. How does Vix find it in herself to forgive Caitlin for her marriage to Bru, her abandonment of her daughter, and her subsequent disappearances? Why does Vix avoid probing into Caitlin’s life beyond their friendship? Do you think Vix should have considered ending the friendship due to any of these critical junctures?
14. Judy Blume employs a unique narrative technique in the novel by providing insights into the thoughts of various characters, but deliberately excluding Caitlin. What might be the author’s purpose behind this narrative choice?
15. What specific qualities captured your interest in each character? Which characters did you empathize with the most, and were there any you struggled to connect with? Share your reasons for these emotional responses.
16. The theme of unfulfilled dreams is prevalent in the novel. Which characters have dreams that go unrealized, and how do these unfulfilled aspirations impact their lives and relationships? What commentary might the author be making about the nature of ambition and desire
17. Did you perceive the ending as an inevitable outcome or a tragedy? Can you find common ground in your interpretation of the events? How do you respond to the deliberate ambiguity of the conclusion?
Selected Reviews
“Compulsively readable . . . [Blume’s] powers are prodigious.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Summer Sisters is a book to return to again and again.”—Colleen Hoover
“An exceptionally moving story that can leave the reader laughing and crying . . . sometimes at the same time . . . Blume creates a rich tapestry of characters.”—The Denver Post
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed the book club discussion questions and reading guide for Summer Sisters by Judy Blume!
Here are some more of my book club recommendations related to this book:
Welcome to Beach Town by Susan Wiggs
Every town has its secrets…
In idyllic Alara Cove, a California beach town known for its sunny charm and chill surfer vibe, it’s graduation day at the elite Thornton Academy. At Thornton, the students are the worldly and overindulged children who live in gated enclaves with spectacular views.
But the class valedictorian is Nikki Graziola, a surfer’s daughter who is there on scholarship. To the shock of everyone in the audience, Nikki veers off script while giving her commencement address and reveals a secret that breaks open the whole community. As her truth explodes into the light, Alara Cove will face a reckoning.
Nikki Graziola’s accusation shakes the foundation of Alara Cove, pitting her against the wealthy family whose money runs the town. Her new notoriety sends Nikki into exile for years, where she finds fame—but not fortune—overseas as a competition surfer…until a personal tragedy compels her to return to Alara Cove.
As Nikki struggles to rebuild her future, she finds that the people of the town have not forgotten her. But time has changed Alara Cove, and old friendships, rivalries, and an unexpected romance draw her back into the life of the beach town she’s never quite forgotten, and where joy and redemption may be possible after all.
The Seeing Garden by Ginny Kubitz Moyer
Set on a lavish California estate, The Seeing Garden is “a moving story with strong female characters” (Kirkus Reviews) for fans of Edith Wharton and Downton Abbey.
It’s 1910, and Catherine Ogden is aching to live a creative and meaningful life. That’s not easy to do when her aunt and uncle—and all of New York society—consider a good marriage to be the pinnacle of feminine achievement.
But when Catherine visits Oakview, the Northern California estate of handsome bachelor William Brandt, she thinks that it might be possible to satisfy her family’s hopes as well as her own. In that beautiful place, she finds the promise of a new start and the opportunity to use her artistic gifts in designing the garden. But as Catherine is drawn into William’s hidden life, as well as the secrets of his estate staff, she discovers that Oakview holds both more opportunity and more risk than she ever imagined. It will take all her courage—and the lessons of some shocking revelations from the past—to choose the path that leads to real freedom.
Full of rich period detail and complex characters, and set against an unforgettable backdrop, The Seeing Garden explores what it takes for a woman to discern the path to her most authentic life.
My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank
Escape to the South Carolina Lowcountry, where family bonds and hidden secrets run deep. In this gripping tale of self-discovery, Victoria Benton Frank introduces us to Maggie, struggling to find her place in the world when she receives a phone call bringing her back to her hometown of Sullivan’s Island.
In New York City winter never seems to loosen its hold and for South Carolina transplant Maggie (born Magnolia after the fairest summer flower) the balmy beach weather of April back home on Sullivan’s Island feels like a distant memory. Until a phone call from her sister, Violet, changes everything.
Gran, the treasured matriarch, has fallen into a coma after a car accident caused by Maggie’s troubled mother, Lily. But once Maggie returns, she finds that her hometown of Sullivan’s Island holds even more secrets. The Magic Lantern, the restaurant owned and run by generations of women in her family, is now rudderless, and her sister seems headed for a savage breakup.
Once she is between the marsh grasses and dunes of South Carolina, she feels herself changing like the Atlantic tides, rediscovering the roots she left behind, and a new and different version of herself—one who can see how a minor crash into the back of a very handsome farmer’s truck may become fortunate. Or perhaps it’s even… fate?
When the three generations of South Carolina women join forces—the family pillar Gran, troubled Lily, impulsive Violet, and redoubtable Maggie—anything is possible.
With stunning descriptions of the magic of the Lowcountry, this novel will transport you to a world of treasured family traditions and unexpected twists of fate.
Printable PDF
Feel free to distribute these discussion questions to your book club members before your meeting. Simply click the link below to download and print the PDF file.
Happy reading! ❤️