A manga-style graphic novel about sibling rivalry and the pitfalls of going to middle school with an older sibling who has established a friend group and who has carved out a comfortable spot for themselves in the environment. The two siblings, Grace and Kyle, have very different ways of approaching things. Kyle is more extroverted and seems to have an easy-going way that makes him likable. He is also good looking and athletic, hallmarks that make the path through the hormone soup of middle school much easier. Grace, on the other hand, is more introspective and quiet. She prefers video games to people and has just two close friends. The angst felt by Grace seemed to be generated by her own feelings and actions, yet she blamed Kyle because she thought he had it easier. The book does capture the irrationality of feelings of sibling rivalry and shows that if a solution isn’t found, like talking it out or dealing with problems, it can overwhelm a young person’s life. All of the issues and action in the book involve only the young people with very few adult interactions or interventions. Fans of realistic graphic novels will enjoy this one, but this is not a first purchase.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth