Maturing of Teenagers

The process of maturing to adulthood is a central connecting idea of the novel. The story initially shows the somewhat carefree attitudes of its main characters as they begin their last summer after high school. They all have the summer mapped out in their minds. The summer will begin with them taking jobs and will end with a party to retire the Pants they formed the club around.

The summer turns out to be very different from what the girls envision. Each girl experiences a certain fear and uncertainty as the summer progresses. During this time, each girl finally identifies the uncomfortable emotion that is plaguing her and has uncertain apprehensions about herself. This identification process is the first in a series of experiences that must be dealt with in order for each girl to conquer her particular fear.

As each girl addresses this portion of...