Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the book you hand a kid who's complaining about their little brother for the 47th time today. Telgemeier nails the specific torture of having a sibling who won't play your games, copies everything you do, and somehow still gets you in trouble.

The genius here is the road trip frame—stuck in a van together, Raina and Amara have to figure out how to coexist, just like real siblings do. The flashbacks show how their relationship evolved (spoiler: Amara was NOT the baby sister Raina ordered), and the present-day story shows them slowly, grudgingly learning to appreciate each other.

The parental conflict subplot might worry some parents, but it's handled with a light touch—kids notice something's off, they worry, but it's not graphic or traumatic. It validates what many kids already sense about adult relationships without making it scary.

This isn't going to magically make siblings best friends, but it might help kids feel less alone in their family frustrations. And the graphic novel format means even reluctant readers will actually finish it.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 8-13, especially kids navigating their own sibling drama or noticing tension at home. The graphic novel format and relatable humor make it accessible for younger readers, while the emotional complexity keeps older middle-graders engaged.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Models realistic sibling conflict resolution with humor and empathy. Shows family struggles (parental tension, sibling rivalry) honestly but age-appropriately. The road trip framing creates space for reflection and growth. Parent reviews highlight resilience and empathy themes without being preachy.

Imaginative

82

Telgemeier's signature graphic novel format uses creative visual storytelling with flashbacks woven into present-day narrative. The illustrated medium invites readers to notice visual details and emotional cues. While not fantasy, it shows imaginative problem-solving in navigating family dynamics and uses the graphic format to tell a layered story.

Safe

92

Age-appropriate handling of difficult topics (sibling conflict, parental arguments, feeling left out). Common Sense Media parent reviews confirm emotional tension is 'relatable but not overwhelming.' No graphic content, violence, or inappropriate material. Some reviews mention 'concerns about certain themes' but context suggests these are mild family conflict scenes, not actual safety issues.

Enriching

85

Builds emotional intelligence around sibling relationships and family dynamics. Shows that relationships take work and aren't always perfect. Common Sense reviews specifically note educational value and themes of resilience and empathy. The graphic novel format supports reading engagement for reluctant readers. Strong Amazon rating (4.7/5) suggests sustained reader value.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Validates every kid who's ever felt annoyed by a sibling—turns out even famous authors had cranky baby sisters
Graphic novel format makes it accessible for reluctant readers while still packing emotional depth
Shows parents fighting without making it traumatic—kids see that families can have rough patches and work through them
The road trip structure keeps it moving while flashbacks fill in the relationship history without feeling like homework
Telgemeier's humor keeps heavy topics light—this isn't a therapy session, it's a relatable story about figuring out family

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What to Watch For

Kids who are currently stressed about their parents' relationship might find the parental conflict scenes triggering
The sibling bickering is realistic, which means it's constant—some kids might find it more frustrating than funny
Best for kids who can handle nuance—this isn't a 'and then we became best friends!' story, it's more 'we're learning to get along'

Conversation Starters

"Do you ever feel like Raina did about wanting a sibling but then being disappointed? What would you tell her?"
"When Raina and Amara fight, who do you think is being more annoying? (Trick question—they both are sometimes!)"
"What do you think makes it hard for Raina and Amara to be friends? What helps them get along better?"
"Have you ever felt like you didn't fit in with your family? What did you do about it?"

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