Lucy's always looked up to her big sister, Olivia, even though the two are polar opposites. But then, Lucy notices Olivia start to change. She doesn't want to play with Lucy anymore, she's unhappy with the way she looks, and she's refusing to eat her dinner. Finally, Lucy discovers that her sister is not just growing up: Olivia is struggling with an eating disorder.
While her family is focused on her sister's recovery, Lucy is left alone to navigate school and friendships. And just like her big sister, she begins to shrink. But with time, work, and a dose of self-love, both sisters begin to heal and let themselves grow. Soon enough, Olivia and Lucy find their way back to each other ― because sisters are the one friend you can never ditch. Maggie Edkins Willis's Smaller Sister is a debut middle grade graphic novel about body image, confidence, and the everlasting bond of sisterhood.
"Willis taps into her childhood memories of her older sister’s struggles and the effect they had on her own eating and self-image, vividly portraying a family in crisis. The full-color spreads, which feature contrasting pages for Lucy’s notebook entries, are well designed and capture the emotional impact on the lonely younger girl. When the negative pattern of peer pressure repeats itself for Lucy, will the family recognize the body shame she struggles with? There is a strong message here that those who surround you matter — and that the bond of sisterhood sustains." — Kirkus Reviews
Recommended Age | 10 - 13 |
---|---|
Author | Maggie Edkins Willis |
Illustrator | Maggie Edkins Willis |
ISBN | 1250767415 |
Publication Date | Jun 14, 2022 |
Publisher | Roaring Brook Press |
Language | English |