Raina Telgemeier took her childhood struggles with her sister and adapted them into this funny, and at times touching, graphic novel about the joys and angst of sisterhood. I have two sisters, however with a twelve year age difference between my first sister and myself, and a fourteen year age difference (plus the complexities of autism) between me and my second sister, with the added complication that I moved away from home when they were seven and five respectively, I’ve never had what I consider a “normal” sister relationship. One might argue there is no such thing as “normal” sister relationship but this graphic novel gave me an idea of what might have been. Sisters is told through through alternating time lines. The current time line is a family cross country trip for a family reunion. Interwoven are flashbacks telling the developing relationship between Raina and her younger sister Amara.
Having fun with her close in age female cousin during reunions gave Raina the dream of how awesome it would be to have a sister. Being an only child she longed for a sister to be her friend and playmate. For some time she campaigned for her parents to give her a sister. When it was announced that her mother was pregnant, Raina was ecstatic and hopeful for the sister she had been wanting. However, like many things in life, getting what she asked for isn’t what she thought it would be.
Sharing your room sucks, babies make awful playmates, toddlers have a talent for destroying things, pre-schoolers like repetition (which can drive you mad listening/doing the same thing over and over again), and regardless the age competition has a way of looming over all. Even when there is the common ground of wanting a pet there is still the push pull of who’s is better or what pet to get.
By the time of the road trip tensions between Raina and Amara have hit an all time high. However an unforeseen circumstance forces the sisters to be alone together. Shared adversity has a way of bringing people closer together, and this is no exception, at least for a little while. Presumably the two have grown closer together with age. At least enough for Raina to make a light-hearted graphic novel about their shared experiences growing up.
I found this an entertaining and at times laugh out loud funny read. My 10 year old, who has a 6 year old sister, has read it nine times (by her count). We have two other graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier and the 10 year old is clamoring for the fourth one we don’t have yet. I would definitely recommend this for any young person in your life who is challenged by a younger sibling or who thinks they want a younger sibling. I would also recommend this for those who can look back fondly on their experiences with a younger sib.
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