Sisters

 

Bibliography

Telgemeier, R., & Lamb, B. (2014). Sisters. First edition. Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic.

Paperback ISBN-13: 978-0545540605

Plot Summary

Sisters is a graphic novel that tells the story of two sisters, Raina and Amara, who are heading on a road trip. Raina always wanted a sister, and when Amara was born, it was nothing like she expected. Through the years, the bond between the two changes very little, a baby brother is born into the family, and their parents begin to face challenges in their marriage. 

Critical Analysis

The story Sisters brings real-life issues, sisters arguing, parents' troubled marriage, emotional distance, money issues, and other issues. All of these family issues are shown through a child’s point of view, and I felt like it wasn’t made to be the main focus. Rania and Amara show what a typical sister relationship could look like, and I swear it was like I was reading about my own two oldest daughters. The fighting, competitions over the smallest things, and the way they would make each other mad just because they could. 

I loved that the drawings say so much and allow the reader to see how frustrated, happy, sad, and annoyed the sisters are. I had my oldest daughter read this book, and she was hooked right away. She laughed and shared the story with her 7-year-old sister. At the end of it, she said, “Mom, I guess Lotte is not as bad as I thought.” She is currently reading the other books by this author and says this is one of her favorite series. 

This would be a great book for 4th grade and up. It is written so that children can relate to the sibling bickering and the family issues. 

Review Excerpts

★ “A wonderfully charming tale of family and sisters that anyone can bond with.”

– KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review
— BOOKLIST, starred review
A New York Times Editors Choice
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller

★ “Alternately poignant and laugh-out-loud funny…Telgemeier’s visual storytelling skills are well-honed, and readers will be left wishing for more.”

★ “Profoundly familiar…a cheerful, vivid cartoon simplicity allows readers to instantly engage even as it leaves room for deeper truths to take hold.”

Awards and Recognitions

WINNER: Eisner Award for Best Writer/Artist, 2015

A USA Today Bestseller

Connections

• Have students write about their relationship with their siblings or best friends.

• Have students write about why the mom had to get a ride with a stranger, what year do they think this is, and what they would think would happen nowadays.