In Missing May, the characters are all in a state of yearning. The title makes sense because Summer and Uncle Ob are actually always missing May; they just want to have her back with them. And this wanting—this lack of May—frames their whole lives. The story is focused around how Summer and Uncle Ob deal with missing May, and how they need to move on in order to keep living.
Does May make you think of anything in particular? It reminds Shmoop of springtime, which in turn makes Shmoop think of sunshine and growth and happiness. With this in mind, do you think Summer and Uncle Ob are missing May on more than one level?