STICKY HERMANA

Sibling relationships can be tough—even sticky.

Claudia loves her little sister, Monica. After all, it’s fun to always have someone to play with. But sometimes Monica sticks to her like glue, trailing after Claudia and her friends and inserting herself into their games. When Claudia is invited to a fútbol tournament, Monica begs to come along. Claudia knows her sister will be crushed if she’s not included, but she longs for an activity that’s just her own. Claudia considers her options—pleading, bribing, even warning her sister about a scary monster. Nothing works. At last, Claudia turns to the hardest strategy of all: honesty. She explains that she simply wants to play with her friends on her own. To her surprise, Monica understands and agrees not to go. The sisters seal their new understanding by chewing some bubble gum, leading to a hilarious and literally sticky situation. Readers who have weathered both loving and exasperating sibling relationships will see themselves in this heartfelt story. The push and pull between the sisters feels authentic even as Siqueira maintains a playful, humorous tone, matched by de Castro’s exaggerated cartoon artwork. Spanish vocabulary is seamlessly woven throughout, and Claudia’s family members are brown-skinned and cued Latine.

A funny and tender celebration of sisterhood, honesty, and finding space while staying close.