If I had read this in Middle School I think I would have given it 4 or even 4.5 stars. I am a HUGE fan of the Sisterhood series so I was excited to read this book, but it is definitely for younger readers. There are many references to the Sisterhood as an added bonus for those who have read that series, but it isn't necessary to read those books first. I really liked the character development of Ama, Polly and Jo, but I do think the ending was quite predictable. Sometimes predictability is okay, though. Sometimes it's the journey to get to the end that matters the most. I would recommend this book to fans of the Sisterhood as well as young girls about to enter Middle School or High School. I actually tried to read this book a few times and continued to give up until one day when I was bored. Though it's not quite as engaging and the characters don't have quite as much depth as the Sisterhood, it's a good girlyish story. At first I was a bit repelled by the points-of-view things that came up, but the characters were very clear. I was interested in seeing how they changed throughout the book. I mean, they were very clear characters. Jo is the one who acts older than her age. This becomes increasingly evident when she makes out with a boy she barely knows on a bus by herself and works as a busser in a beach restaurant. Polly, at least in Jo's opinion, acts younger than her age. She's the "weird" one with a feminist mother and is almost expected to be a feminist as well, though really she takes pleasure in mainstream things like modeling and fashion magazines. Ama is the one obsessed with grades. She goes on a hiking trip in the forest so that she can get extra credit in high school. While she starts out skeptical and uncomfortable, she grows more used to nature. I have to say that I found her and her story the most relatable. She wasn't completely incompetent, but she definitely had flaws. On the other hand, I thought that some of these girls acted much older than their age, Jo especially. I can't actually imagine a graduate of middle school being so mature and independent with her new older friends as Jo was, not to mention her making out with a boy whose name she doesn't even know. It seemed like she SHOULD be easily understood, but I didn't like her very much. Polly's storyline I found very sad. I enjoyed Ama's the most, she underwent the most transformation. I liked the addition of the Sisterhood story, and some of the characters. There was no mention of Carmen, however! I guess I was a little confused at first, but I was glad that Lena made an appearance. And Effie. I always liked Effie, but she did not seem like a very nice person in this book.
Do You like book 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows (2009)?
I never thought I would love this book as much as I did. Such a great sisterhood story!
—vinay
Will be a lovely book to read with my daughter some day.
—teambella23
