A Summer to Die

by Lois Lowry

The Chalmers family has moved from the town to the country. This family moved because Dr. Chalmers, the father, is writing a book and needs it to be quiet to focus. Meg and Molly are the two girls. They both experience many hardships. Molly is prettier, but Meg is smarter. Meg is longing for a friend. Her wish comes true. Her new friend is Will Banks. Will made her feel pretty by saying she was pretty. That meant a lot to Meg. Will is an older man who is in his 70’s. Will owns the houses on the road including the one they are renting. Molly suddenly becomes ill and has to be rushed to the hospital. Meg thinks it is her fault that Molly is ill. She believes that because they had an argument the night before and she never said she was sorry.

Meg not only has Will as a friend, she has Ben and Maria too, who are also renting one of Will’s houses. Maria is expecting a baby. Molly got ill again and went back to the hospital. Meg’s new friendships make her like the country more

There are two main themes in this book. The fist one is caring: caring because Meg cares for molly and her friends. The second one is believing: believing because Meg believes that Molly will get through her hardships, and that Maria’s baby will be healthy.

Catherine F.