The Summer I Turned Pretty

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. In the United States, turning 18 generally marks the milestone when one becomes an adult. What areas of life change when one is considered an adult? Socially and morally, what are the characteristics of an adult?

Teaching Suggestion: Throughout The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly deals with The Challenges of Growing Up and, in doing so, grapples with the meaning of becoming an adult. Teen readers may enjoy discussing the problems inherent with any line intended to mark the difference between child and grown-up; they will likely be quick to point out how some people mature more quickly than others due to life’s circumstances. Some students may liken the concept of adulthood with increased responsibility and hardship; as Belly goes through several difficult events including her parents’ divorce, an adult’s illness, and heartbreak, this notion of hardship may be a connecting point for readers. Having students consider the definition of adult (legally, culturally, and subjectively from their perspective) will help to prepare them for Belly’s conflicts and coming-of-age.

• The Atlantic’s “When Are You Really An Adult?” claims that the line between childhood and adulthood is blurrier than ever. (Subscription may be needed to view.)
• The 5-minute TED-Ed Talk “When Are You Actually an Adult?” explores whether a consensus can be found regarding maturation.

2. Notable psychoanalyst John C. Lilly once said: “Our only security is our ability to change.” What do you think Lilly meant by this? How can the concepts of “security” and “change” be linked?

Teaching Suggestion: Students might meet with a partner or participate in a brief “turn-and-talk” with a nearby classmate to paraphrase Lilly’s quote and brainstorm 2-3 examples to share. As Belly learns throughout the novel, the only constant in life is The Inevitability of Change. A tenant of stoic philosophy, Lilly’s quote embodies the idea that the only thing that is truly permanent is change itself: Throughout life, things move in cycles and phases, and nothing stays the same forever. These and similar resources offer additional context on the topic.

• Classical Wisdom’s “How to Deal with Change: Advice from the Stoics” explains how the ancient stoics practiced radical acceptance of change.
• In a 2-minute video by What Makes It Tick, “This Ancient Thought Experiment Will Help You Embrace Change” walks viewers through a thought experiment by Heraclitus.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to poetry to modern fiction, there is no shortage of media focused on being young and in love. What films and books in this genre have connected with you? Choose one of your favorite romance titles and discuss why it speaks to you. 

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt may be best suited to a private, brief writing exercise for the purpose of identifying characteristics in the romance genre and possibly thinking of their own experiences with The Power of First Love.

• Read Brightly’s “16 YA Books on Love That Will Make You Laugh and Cry” is a round-up of popular, contemporary books in this category. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing without teacher guidance due to mature content and potentially sensitive topics)

Differentiation Suggestion: For an approach that includes additional literary analysis opportunities, students might read and discuss poetry on this evergreen subject. Students might research their own poems or preview select, appropriate poems in the Poetry Foundation’s collection entitled “Love Poems.” After choosing a poem on which to focus, students might analyze the work and complete a journal-style entry of reader response for their Personal Connection Prompt.