Do you have siblings? Where do you fall in the order? I am the youngest of three girls. I went through my elementary school being called my middle sister's name and then in middle school one of the art teachers kept calling out my oldest sister's name for an end of the quarter review and when he finally used our last name I realized he meant me. He had never taken the time to learn my first name and my oldest sister is truly an artist so he remembered her. (She earned a degree in art.) So I can completely relate to today's book. The book is Kyle's Little Sister by BonHyung Jeong. It is a graphic novel for middle school ages (age 8-12).
From the Publisher:My name is Grace, not "Kyle's little sister!"
Having a good-looking, friendly, outgoing older brother sucks—especially when you're the total opposite, someone who likes staying home and playing video games. Your parents like him better (even if they deny it!), and everyone calls you "Kyle's little sister" while looking disappointed that you're not more like him. I was really hoping I'd get to go to a different middle school, but no such luck. At least I have my friends...until he finds a way to ruin that, too...! Argh! What do I have to do to get out of his shadow?!
From Me:
This book covers so many things about growing up. There is the sibling relationship and rivalry. There is also starting middle school and how friendships can change. I love that this book shows both of the siblings' sides. Most of the book is about Grace but there is a part about Kyle and it shows when Kyle steps up for his little sister. It shows the honest annoyance of having a sibling on both sides but also shows the love and how much they actually care. I also love that it shows Grace's insecurities as she is beginning middle school. She questions everything as she tries to get out of the shadow of her popular brother. After a fight with her best friends she finds herself making new friends but struggles to figure out if the new friends like her or are using her to get to close to her brother.
I love that the older brothers (Kyle and his friend who is the older brother of one of Grace's friends) help the girls work through their issues and find their way back to one another. It is a great book about the scariness of starting a new school, sibling issues as well as friendship issues with a reminder that family and old friends really do matter and love one another. I hope you will check it out!
