Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick
A Novel
by Judy Blume
Dell 1999
Mature content — preview before assigning
Reading level 5.7 (5th grade) · ages 14+
Flagged for mature content — preview before assigning
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- coming of age
- class and privilege
- identity
- first love
- loyalty and betrayal
- family dynamics
- choices and consequences
About this book
In this sweeping coming-of-age story, two very different girls—Vix and Caitlin—forge an intense friendship that begins on Martha’s Vineyard and follows them from the late 1970s into adulthood. Summers together open Vix’s world to privilege, freedom, and first love, while testing loyalties and boundaries. Judy Blume explores how class, choices, and secrets can shape who we become. Best for mature high school readers who enjoy character-driven stories about friendship and identity.
Setting: Martha’s Vineyard and New York City, late 1970s–1990s
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick right for my child?
Use caution — Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick has mature content worth previewing first. The reading level is AR 5.7, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include friendship, coming of age, class and privilege. This book is flagged for mature content — worth previewing before assigning.
How long does it take to read Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick takes around 13h to finish. The book has 126,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick have an AR quiz?
Yes — Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick has an AR quiz available, worth 18 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick?
Summer Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick has an AR reading level of 5.7, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.