This graphic novel reads like a memoir, though it isn't an exact retelling of the author's life, rather it is inspired by it. It's different from other books because it follows the characters through various ages, and we see how they grow up. It's an important perspective on the challenges of adolescence as well as the challenges the a whole family faces when one member is struggling.
Lucy and her sister Olivia have a great relationship. They love to hang out together and they are great at resolving any conflict that arises between them, that is until Olivia develops an eating disorder. Lucy struggles to understand what Olivia is going through, and Olivia's eating disorder doesn't only change how she eats but also how she treats her sister. Lucy and Olivia grow apart as Olivia struggles, and Lucy begins to struggle with her own self-image and eating habits, too. The author does a fantastic job of showing the challenges of this situation, while also offering hope. Lucy and Olivia are eventually able to reconnect and lean on each other for support.
This book has a lot of scenes in it, and it's pretty long for a graphic novel in the realistic fiction genre. I did wonder if there couldn't have been some editing to trim it down a bit, particularly in the beginning. Though there is a lot of important buildup to show the family dynamics and the relationship between Lucy and Olivia, I did think that the front-end of the book was a little long. There are a few scenes in the beginning that show how Lucy is a bit of an outcast among her schoolmates, so I wonder if one scene that highlights that would be sufficient, especially as Lucy struggles with friendships later in the book, too.
Overall, I think this would be an important book for a young reader for a few reasons. 1. They could see a healthy sister relationship at work. They'd see conflict and resolution between the sisters. 2. They could learn about how a whole family unit struggles when one member struggles, which might help shed perspective on the reader's own life. 3. They could see positive change that will offer them hope.

I’m not sure what this was even about. Worth a second look but honestly it doesn’t ring a bell with me now.

This is a graphic novel you are going to want in your libraries! It is a story of sisterhood as well as body image, anorexia, and disordered eating. It is done so tactfully and within a story that any reader will connect with.

This is a great book to look at friendships between sisters and how that relationship ebbs and flows. This was hard to read at times as it deals with eating disorders. But a good read for middle graders.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

What starts out as a classic big sister little sister dynamic sort of story, hints, slowly, then finally comes out and says that this is a story about eating disorders, and self-esteem. The author said she based this a bit on her own life, though it isn’t a memoir. First the older sister develops anorexia nerviosa, and once she has recovered from that, gradually, her younger sister starts to worry about how she looks, and starts trying to do the same thing her sister did.

A hard to read, at times, story of a bright spunky girl who keeps trying to please those around her, until she finally realizes she doesn’t have to. (Although the author said it wasn’t quite as easy as all that for her, and there was back sliding.)

Good story for those middle grade students who worry about trying to be popular, and not themselves to have friends, when really all you need is one good friend.

Oh, and it is good to join a theatre camp, or join theatre at school, so you can get your fun in.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. </em>

Thank you to the Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this wonderful book. This great middle-grade novel addresses eating disorder, confidence, body image, friendship, and sisterhood bond. It is very relevant and timely and should be used in upper elementary (grades 4-5) and middle school to have discussions with students about healthy body image and how to recognize signs of eating disorders.