The September Sisters

by Jillian Cantor

Book Overview

Abigail Reed and her younger sister, Becky, are always at each other's throats. Their mother calls them the September Sisters, because their birthdays are only a day apart, and pretends that they're best friends. But really, they delight in making each other miserable. Then Becky disappears in the middle of the night, and a torn gold chain with a sapphire heart charm is the only clue to the mystery of her kidnapping. Abby struggles to cope with...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061686484
• ISBN13: 9780061686481
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Harperteen
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.0" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Hauntingly Beautiful...

Jillian Cantor's debut novel, THE SEPTEMBER SISTERS, is a beautifully told tale of loss, living, coping, and first love. This story is about Abby and how her life changes when her younger sister Becky vanishes. I was hooked from the very first scene, and felt strongly connected to Abby through each and every moment depicted in the book: from the second she realizes that Becky is *really* gone, to dealing with the emotional absence of her mother, to her developing friendship with Tommy, to the very last page. The September Sisters is a hauntingly beautiful not-to-miss read. I can't wait for the next Jillian Cantor book!

Couldn't Put it Down!

Anyone who has a sister will relate to this beautifully written story of love and loss. This book captured me so completely that I couldn't put it down! I will definitely look out for Cantor's next book.

Nothing Short of Amazing

Beautifully written prose and heartbreaking characters fill this wonderful debut by Jillian Cantor. She does an amazing job of hooking you from the first opening scene and the mystery of Abby's lost sister will keep you turning the pages. Jillian's impressive and emotional debut should not be missed--by adults and teens alike!

Wonderful story!

A tender love story, a page-turning mystery, and a beautiful coming of age tale, September Sisters is a wonderful book for people of all ages. I read it as an adult and could not put it down, and I could only imagine how my 13-year-old self would have loved every twist and turn of the plot. You'll fall so deeply in love with Abby that you'll have trouble separating the book from reality!

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Abigail and Becky are exactly two years and a day apart, and are often referred as the September Sisters by their mother. However, despite their close proximity of age, they constantly squabble with one another and compete for their parents' attention. But after the sudden disappearance of Becky, Abby's whole life changes. Her mom grows more and more distant and her dad becomes overbearing and obsessed with the investigation. Abby is officially no longer an ignorant child, as she desperately tries to keep her family together. Abby has no one to confide in until Tommy moves in next door. She soon finds herself expressing all of her emotions, pain, guilt, and resentment towards Becky and her disappearance to him. Along the way, Abigail also falls in love with him, even when everything in her world is less than perfect. THE SEPTEMBER SISTERS, Jillian Cantor's debut novel, was truly unforgettable, with the perfect mixture of realism, great character development, and plot. Ms. Cantor did a clever job at crafting the opening scene, because I was hooked from the very first page. The main character, Abby, was really well-written. All of her emotions were portrayed effectively and realistically, making it easy to sympathize with her. But, most importantly, she was a strong heroine, even given her tragic situation. One of the things that I thought was especially memorable were the contrasting emotions Abby endured throughout the book. At one point she was frustrated and even jealous of how much attention her sister received, even after she disappeared. Her relationship with Tommy was a perfect depiction of first love and its exploring nature. It was interesting to see how their relationship developed, because when they initially met they were hesitant to become friends since they were forced to talk during lunch. This one is definitely recommended and worth adding to your wish list. Reviewed by: May A.