THE SISTER SOLUTION

Having a genius for a sister is a trial for eighth-grader Sammi.

Sammi and Jorgianna are as opposite as their nicknames: Moonbeam and Sunbeam, respectively. Longing to fit in with the popular crowd, Sammi is mystified by her younger sister’s staunchly independent approach to fashion and is envious of her intellectual accomplishments. For Sammi, acceptance by popular girl Patrice represents achieving the pinnacle of popularity at her middle school. When Jorgianna is advanced to eighth grade midyear, Sammi fears her plans for social success will fall apart, especially as Jorgianna rapidly gains admittance into Patrice’s group. Making matters worse, Sammi incurs Patrice’s ire when Sammi’s relationship with Noah, Patrice’s crush, begins to blossom. Soon the sisters are in conflict with each other and mired in Patrice’s subterfuge and schemes. Trueit explores the challenges of the middle school social scene, keenly capturing the girls’ uncertainties. Delving into the complexity of the relationship between sisters, she examines both girls’ perspectives, with each sister contributing to the narrative in alternating chapters. While Sammi struggles with her feelings of mediocrity in the wake of Jorgianna’s exceptional intelligence, Jorgianna also struggles with the isolation she feels as a result of her intellect. As the girls try to discover how to be true to themselves, they ultimately recognize that their best allies are each other.

An insightful, engaging tale that celebrates the relationship that sisters share.