Sisters by Raina Telgemeir

Title: Sisters
Author: Raina Telgemeir
Illustrator:  Raina Telgemeir
Publisher:  Graphic (Scholastic)
Copyright:  2014
Price: $24.99
ISBN: 978-0545540599
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Raina and Amara do not get along. Amara was not at all what Raina had in mind when she wished for a sister. Fast forward to the summer before high school. Raina, Amara, their brother, and mom are road tripping across states to visit family in Colorado. Camping and sightseeing should be fun, but not when everyone is cramped in a van and there is an "incident" with the front seat. It's a summer of realizations and growing for Raina.
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Recommended Audience: Tweens and up.
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Things to be aware of: None.
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Further Thoughts: Sisters is just what it is about: Raina's relationship to her sister. As a child, Raina makes the wish to have a sister and like any young child is so certain it'll be awesome. Sadly, she's confused when it isn't awesome. It'll probably prompt kids to ask what they might have been like when a brother or sister was announced. Readers will also understand the conflict of having that annoying sibling. Raina tells it like it is, but with wit and animation.

The art is boldly colored with strong lines. I love her art. It's animated, bright, and colorful. The story seems to move like a cartoon while dealing with life issues. At this point, if she illustrates it and writes it, I'll probably read it, which I know a lot of readers do too after how popular Smile was.

One thing I found interesting is how well this story holds up despite the story definitely taking place in the late 80s or early 90s (That make-up! The hair! A Walkman!). I'm sure readers will have some questions such as "why doesn't the van have a DVD player?", but overall, I hardly noticed those details. It was more about the family dynamics more than the time. The time period just helped showcase the family dynamic.

On the other hand, it felt slim for the size of the book. As in the story, which happens over a few weeks in summer with a ton of explanation flashbacks, seemed kind of slim. If you just wrote the text, it'd probably be a small book. I might have wanted a little more and I know for a fact, I'm not as crazy about this as the kids are. I can't explain why.

**SPOILER...kinda, sorta...**
What I'm most worried about is, if there is more, it'll be about her parent's divorcing. The end just felt like it was heavily foreshadowing it. It's like "I will probably read it, and it'll be handled well, but I just don't know if I want to read that."
**End Spoiler**

Overall feeling: If you haven't gotten this, what are you waiting for? The kids eat this up and love it.
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Source: Library