KYLE'S LITTLE SISTER

How would you like living in a shadow?

Sixth grader Grace knows that starting middle school is going to be tough. New classes, new students, and, worst of all, being labeled as Kyle’s little sister. Kyle is two years older and seemingly perfect: athletic, good looking, and popular. Everyone expects Grace to be the same, but unfortunately, being shy, quiet, and awesome at video games doesn’t compare. Fortunately, Grace has Amy and Jay, her two best friends, by her side. When the three girls get into a big fight, Grace has to navigate middle school by herself. A girl named Cam takes Grace under her wing and brings Grace into her friend group. They are nice to Grace, but they start bullying Amy, to Grace’s discomfort. When Amy and Jay make up, Grace is left out in the cold, especially as she suspects Cam may have ulterior motives for befriending her. Everything resolves itself in the end, with Cam’s true motives coming to light, friendships being mended, and the realization dawning that Kyle may not be so bad. The manga-style illustrations successfully magnify the range of feelings expressed in the story while the text and image placement effectively enhance the drama and conflicts. The color palette, with light purples, peaches, and blues, lifts Grace’s brooding storyline with a playful feeling. Most characters present White; Jay reads as Black.

A story of friendship and sibling rivalry that will resonate with many readers.