In 2010 Raina Telgemeier‘s auto-biographical graphic novel Smile was published. It received both critical and commercial success. In the book Telgemeier shares the story of her own sixth grade experience of falling, damaging her teeth and requiring braces and headgear. Readers could empathize with Raina’s fear, frustration, embarrassment and confusion.
Raina is back with her sister Amara and their little brother Will in Sisters. We are introduced to the characters in fun anecdotes which give us a peek at the family dynamics and home life. We journey with the children and their mother for three weeks on a road trip in which we learn that their parents are separated. Far from being an issues book, Sisters explains the family’s situation as an aspect of the girl’s life, not as a moral or ethical issue. The story begins and remains being told from Raina’s perspective and this slice of life will be relate-able for many teens.
Telegemeier has a whimsical, comforting drawing style with an impressive skill set reminiscent of influences, Calvin and Hobbes and Foxtrot which she mentions in the book. The brightly colored frames and love-able characters can be enjoyed as a supplement to Smile but can also be equally enjoyed and appreciated as a free standing work. Sisters is a must for Grade School and Middle School Libraries and will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-545-54066-7
Page Count: 208 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
*Thank you Scholastic Books for providing me with a review copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
HipMamaJenn 