Module 7: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Realistic fiction is one of the most popular genres of books for all ages.  One great realistic fiction novel for teens is The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, by Ann Brashares.

Image credit: http://www.kdl.org/categories/696/books/4328

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is the story of four teenaged girls who have been best friends since they were born.  This summer, however, they will all go on their own separate adventures.  On the eve of their separation, they find "the pants" - which seem to have the magical ability to fit and flatter each girl, although they all have very different body types.  A pact is made - the pants will travel to each girl, where she will have great adventures, and at the end of the summer they will document what has happened in the pants when they reunite.  Along the way, each of the girls experiences some relationship struggles (as all teen girls are apt to do!) and learn something about themselves.

One review of The Sisterhood reads:
"In this feel-good novel with substance, four teenage girls, friends since they were all born just weeks apart, are about to embark on their first summer as separate young women... The pants become a metaphor for the young women finding their own strength in the face of new love, unexpected friendships and death, a father's remarriage, and a reckless relationship-and without their best friends. Debut novelist Brashares renders each girl individual and lovable in her own right, emphasizing growing up without growing apart. Move over, Ya Ya Sisters."

I first read this book many years ago, when the movie first came out.  I was closer in age to the main characters of the novel then, but after re-reading it for this module, I realized that this books is very relatable to women of all ages.  I think most women have experienced close female relationships, as well as the struggles of finding oneself, navigating romantic relationships and changing family dynamics.  I think that is what makes this book so valuable - it is realistic and the descriptions of the character's emotions are spot-on.

This book would make an excellent summer book club read for a public library setting.  Getting together over the course of several weeks to discuss the novel, teenage girls can learn more about themselves, possibly find some new friends, and at the end - enjoy a "night at the movies", watching the film adaptation and some refreshments.

References:

Brashares, A.  (2001).  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  New York: 17^th Street Productions.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  (2001).  Kirkus Reviews, 69(15), 1117.  From Literature Resource Center.  http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA77756727&v=2.1&u=txshracd2679&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w