Smaller Sister
by Maggie Edkins Willis
Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction
Tween
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Lucy and Olivia are sisters and best friends – they even have their own secret code. Once Olivia becomes a teenager, though, things start to change. She becomes anxious and depressed and obsesses over her body/how she looks. Worst of all, she no longer has time or energy or patience for younger Lucy. When Olivia is officially diagnosed with anorexia, everyone’s attention is focused on her and Lucy is left to struggle through her issues on her own. The girls have to move and change schools a couple of times, which makes things more difficult as they try to make friends and fit in while figuring out who they are. A good realistic read that explores anorexia from different perspectives (the person who has the disorder as well as the family members who are watching from the sidelines and attempting to help). Also a good story of sisters and their complicated relationship with one another as they navigate their teen years. May appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier’s books (Smile, Sisters).
Reviewed by YA Librarian
