76 pages • 2 hours read
Summer of the Mariposas
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
352
Novel • Fiction
Mexico • Contemporary
2012
YA
10-14 years
840L
Super Short Summary
Summer of the Mariposas, by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, follows five Mexican American sisters on an epic journey from Texas to Mexico to reunite with their family and rekindle sisterhood, solidarity, and self-love. Influenced by Mexican folklore and blending magical realism and fantasy, the story draws from Homer’s Odyssey as the sisters face various challenges and mythical beings along the way.
Adventurous
Fantastical
Suspenseful
Emotional
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
2,722 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Summer of the Mariposas by Guadalupe Garcia McCall is celebrated for its engaging blend of Latinx folklore and Odyssey-inspired adventure, appealing particularly to young adult readers. Praised for strong sisterhood themes and cultural richness, critiques include a somewhat predictable plot and occasional pacing issues. Overall, it is a heartwarming and culturally vibrant tale.
Who Should Read Summer of the Mariposas?
Readers who enjoy Summer of the Mariposas by Guadalupe Garcia McCall are typically preteens to young adults interested in magical realism and Latinx culture. Fans of Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros will appreciate the blend of folklore, adventure, and family dynamics.
2,722 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
La Llorona
La Llorona
In _Guadalupe García McCall's_ novel, she is portrayed as a misunderstood woman whose children’s deaths were accidental. She serves as a guide for the Garza sisters, challenging their perceptions of their mother.
Juanita Garza
Juanita Garza
The second eldest sister who is sullen and rebellious at first, Juanita seeks to reunite her family by embarking on a journey to Mexico. She learns to respect Odilia's leadership during their challenges.
Delia and Velia Garza
Delia and Velia Garza
The twin sisters known for their beauty, who start off vain and entitled but learn to use their energy positively as the story progresses.
Pita Garza
Pita Garza
The youngest sister, who evolves from being coddled to becoming more mature and resilient during the sisters' journey.
Tonantzin
Tonantzin
A deity in Aztec religion, she symbolizes maternal love and guides the sisters, including La Llorona, emphasizing cultural lineage and solidarity among women.
352
Novel • Fiction
Mexico • Contemporary
2012
YA
10-14 years
840L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.