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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This is an autobiographical graphic novel which can appeal to middle schoolers and adults alike. Set in the 1980s, most of the action takes place during a family road trip, between a young Raina and her younger sister Amara.
I was underwhelmed. There's no great drama involved, but the book is funny, occasionally touching, and easy to relate to. Personally, I found the drawing style a bit simple and bland, but at least three of Telgemeier's graphic novels have been on The New York Times best Seller lists, so somebody likes it.
Sisters is a perfectly innocuous Christmas present, a Hallmark graphic novel if you will, but another book by her (Drama) has been banned. Go figure.
I was underwhelmed. There's no great drama involved, but the book is funny, occasionally touching, and easy to relate to. Personally, I found the drawing style a bit simple and bland, but at least three of Telgemeier's graphic novels have been on The New York Times best Seller lists, so somebody likes it.
Sisters is a perfectly innocuous Christmas present, a Hallmark graphic novel if you will, but another book by her (Drama) has been banned. Go figure.
Reading 2020
Book(s) 112: Smile and Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
So late to the reading party on these two graphic novels by Telgemeier. I have read Guts and Drama, but thought I should circle back and pick these titles up as well. Both of these graphic novels are award nominees, and are autobiographical in nature.
Sisters is the story of Raina and her sister growing up. Raina so wanted a sister, then she arrived and as she grew the sisters found that they fought a lot, and were different people. The book contained a story line that was both in the present and flashed back to their younger years. I thought the flash backs were well done, as the pages were a different color so the reader was clear that something different was happening. This book is reviewed for grades 3 and older. Good classroom library selection. My rating 3⭐️.
Smile is the story of Raina's journey with mouth issues. After a girl scout meeting, Raina is racing her friends to her front door, she falls and knocks out her two front teeth. She was already scheduled to get braces, so things progressed. There were many problems with the teeth along the way, and lots of self esteem issues surround braces, false teeth, headgear, elastics, etc. As anyone that has had braces knows, this process takes years, and Raina has to try and juggle middle school and the start of high school with mouth issues, as if fitting was not hard already. I enjoyed this book better than Sisters. This book has contrasting reviews. Amazon reviews it for 3rd grade and older, School Library Journal reviews it for 5th grade and older. I would agree that it is for middle school kids. The main character is dealing with more mature issues than a third grader would care about, spin the bottle, boys liking her, etc. This would be a good middle school classroom library addition. My rating 4 ⭐️.
Book(s) 112: Smile and Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
So late to the reading party on these two graphic novels by Telgemeier. I have read Guts and Drama, but thought I should circle back and pick these titles up as well. Both of these graphic novels are award nominees, and are autobiographical in nature.
Sisters is the story of Raina and her sister growing up. Raina so wanted a sister, then she arrived and as she grew the sisters found that they fought a lot, and were different people. The book contained a story line that was both in the present and flashed back to their younger years. I thought the flash backs were well done, as the pages were a different color so the reader was clear that something different was happening. This book is reviewed for grades 3 and older. Good classroom library selection. My rating 3⭐️.
Smile is the story of Raina's journey with mouth issues. After a girl scout meeting, Raina is racing her friends to her front door, she falls and knocks out her two front teeth. She was already scheduled to get braces, so things progressed. There were many problems with the teeth along the way, and lots of self esteem issues surround braces, false teeth, headgear, elastics, etc. As anyone that has had braces knows, this process takes years, and Raina has to try and juggle middle school and the start of high school with mouth issues, as if fitting was not hard already. I enjoyed this book better than Sisters. This book has contrasting reviews. Amazon reviews it for 3rd grade and older, School Library Journal reviews it for 5th grade and older. I would agree that it is for middle school kids. The main character is dealing with more mature issues than a third grader would care about, spin the bottle, boys liking her, etc. This would be a good middle school classroom library addition. My rating 4 ⭐️.
Raina Telgemeier's Sisters is a sweet ode to sisterhood and how tumultuous sibling relationships can be, particularly when we’re young and still figuring each other out. Although the focus is always on both sisters, this book also centers on a road trip from California to Colorado, and Telgemeier does not skimp on road trip details. As a result, Sisters is an engaging portrayal of family adventure and mishaps with a dash of heart and plenty of sisterhood.
Read my full review on my blog.
Read my full review on my blog.
funny
fast-paced
There was a little bit less of the actual road trip and a lot about the differences between sisters. I love the fighting and the different perspectives and of course the snake. How Raina grew and how she treats her sister and their interactions are all very real and I think that is why this is so popular. For kids third grade and up
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
This was a cute book. I enjoyed it. I would recommend this book. It did touch on a subject and didn’t go into much detail about it and it would raise questions for some children.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced