Meg struggles to navigate adolescence while overshadowed by her beautiful and popular older sister, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Meg's objective is to find her own identity and worth amidst the turmoil of her sister's illness and her family's grief. She faces the internal conflict of jealousy and love, and the external pressures of societal expectations and the harsh reality of loss. The narrative is framed through Meg's first-person perspective, offering an intimate look at her evolving understanding of life, death, and family.

Lois Lowry's "A Summer to Die" is a poignant exploration of a young girl's coming-of-age amidst the profound challenge of a sibling's terminal illness. The narrative is praised for its sensitive portrayal of complex emotions, including jealousy, love, and grief, as experienced by the protagonist, Meg. Readers often connect with Meg's struggle for self-identity when compared to her more outwardly successful sister, finding the story's honesty about family dynamics and mortality to be deeply resonant. The book is recognized for its ability to handle difficult themes with grace, offering a thoughtful perspective on life's fragility and the enduring strength of familial bonds.