About This Book
Lois Lowry's debut novel, "A Summer to Die," is a deeply moving story about thirteen-year-old Meg, who initially struggles with jealousy towards her beautiful and popular older sister, Molly. When their family moves to a country house for their father's writing sabbatical, Molly is diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. The narrative follows Meg's emotional journey as she witnesses her sister's decline, transforms her jealousy into profound love, and grapples with the inevitability of loss. The book tenderly explores themes of grief, sibling relationships, identity, and finding solace in unexpected friendships and creative outlets like photography. It is a powerful read for middle-grade children and their parents, offering a sensitive portrayal of a family coping with tragedy.
Thirteen-year-old Meg envys her sister's beauty and popularity. Her feelings don't make it any easier for her to cope with Molly's strange illness and eventual death. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.
Concepts
illness
Character Death
Scary Scenes
Discussion Prompts
1
How do Meg's feelings about Molly change throughout the story? What causes these changes?
2
What role do the adult characters, like Will Banks, Maria, and Ben, play in Meg's journey?
3
How does Meg use photography to cope with what's happening?
4
The author, Lois Lowry, wrote this book based on her own experience of losing a sister. How do you think personal experiences can make a story more powerful?
5
What does this book teach us about dealing with sadness and loss, and finding hope even in difficult times?
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