Why does Scout become closer to Miss Maudie during the summer?

Scout also becomes closer to Miss Maudie during the summer because Atticus is so busy with the trial of Tom Robinson that he does not have quite as much time to spend with Scout (and Jeb). As Jeb is off playing with Dill, Miss Maudie essentially becomes a surrogate mother to Scout during the summer. Miss Maudie provides some comfort to Scout during this time and helps open her eyes to the world around her when she discusses why several people in Maycomb act the way they do. Miss Maudie also tells Scout new things about Atticus. For instance, in chapter 10, after Atticus shoots the rabid dog, Miss Maudie tells Scout, "Atticus Finch was the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time." This comes as a complete surprise to Scout. Miss Maudie, in her wisdom and folksiness, changes Scout from being ashamed of Atticus to being proud to have him as a father.

As Jem matures, he begins spending more time playing with Dill and neglects his little sister. Jem has hit puberty and views Scout as rather annoying and irritating. Scout mentions that Jem and Dill spend the majority of their time plotting and planning in the treehouse and only ask her to play with them if a third party is necessary. In chapter 5, Scout laments about not being included in Jem and Dill's games and spends the majority of her evenings sitting on the porch with Miss Maudie. Scout mentions that Jem and Dill drove her closer to Miss Maudie by excluding her from their games. While Jem is running around with Dill, Scout sits next to Maudie on her porch swing and has enlightening conversations. When Scout asks Miss Maudie about Boo Radley, Maudie tells her that she remembers Boo being a pleasant, polite child. She then elaborates on the fact that Boo's father was a religious fanatic and tells Scout that she isn't sure how Boo's father kept him inside the home all these years.