Make sure the tissue box is close at hand when you read this novel. Loosely autobiographical, Lowry writes with compassion and understanding of a difficult topic, the death of a sibling. Lowry's older sister died of cancer, although she was older than the character in the book when she passed away. We felt that A Summer to Die dealt with death for adolescents in a way that would make them comfortable with the topic. Death is not the only thing this book is about.
Life is also an important theme throughout the entire novel.
Molly does die, but there is new life all around Meg in the form of Ben and Maria's baby. There were also the wildflowers that Will showed to Molly. As the summer wanes, Meg is learning that their differences aren't all that large and starts to get along with Molly. Before they really have a chance to become friends, Molly dies. That is the saddest part of the whole novel.