Caitlin and Victoria become "summer sisters" when Caitlin first invites Victoria to come with her to her father's vineyard for the summer in only second grade. Each summer after that throughout junior high, high school, and beyond, they remain best friends, sharing secrets and making memories about love, life, and growing up. When they are teens they both fall into lust with these two older boys. Caitlin being the girl she is, she lets hers go without looking back, and Victoria, true to herself, stays with Bru throughout her entire Harvard career. When the book starts off with Caitlin announcing to Victoria that she is getting married, Victoria is forced to remember all of the times she and Caitlin shared in the Vineyard, and the times that followed.
The best part about Blume's style is her vivid descriptions and thourough continuity. Through the whole story, both main characters, Caitlin and Victoria, stay true to their nature. Each girl matures in her own way, and the feelings may change, but their perceptions, and style always stay the same.
Blume writes Caitlin as emotional, spontaneous, flamboyant, spontaneous, and very open with her feelings. Victoria, on the other hand, is quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't want the world to know how she feels. She doesn't often tell other people how she feels. Victoria is easier to relate to, and she thinks the way many teenagers today think. The characters get along well because of the "opposites attract" idea. I think both of the characters were very well described by the author. Judy Blume did a very good job making the characters come to life and making you feel what they feel throughout the story.
I think that the universal idea behind the story is "Never judge people". I think the author did a very good job relaying this message because she shows how Caitlin never judges people by being so spontaneous about everything, and always looking on the bright side of a person.