Kyle’s Little Sister
Author & Illustrator: BonHyung Jeong
Published June 22nd, 2021 by JY
Summary: My name is Grace, not “Kyle’s little sister!”
Having a good-looking, friendly, outgoing older brother sucks—especially when you’re the total opposite, someone who likes staying home and playing video games. Your parents like him better (even if they deny it!), and everyone calls you “Kyle’s little sister” while looking disappointed that you’re not more like him. I was really hoping I’d get to go to a different middle school, but no such luck. At least I have my friends…until he finds a way to ruin that, too…! Argh! What do I have to do to get out of his shadow?!
About the Author: BonHyung Jeong (Bon) studied Cartooning at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and Kyle’s Little Sister is her debut graphic novel, made possible with the help of numerous people. She hopes to make connections with others through relatable stories. Currently living in Korea, she’s always busy playing console games – exactly like someone in the book!
Review: As an oldest child, I never knew what it was like to be compared to a sibling in the same way Kyle and Grace are compared, but I definitely empathize with Grace’s feelings of being compared to a more successful sibling! Although many reviews said Grace seemed like a brat, I didn’t see it like that. I saw it as someone who just truly wants her own identity and to be valued for what she is not what she isn’t (Kyle). This is tough in middle school in general much less when you feel overshadowed by someone else. It definitely made me think about how I react when I teach a sibling of a past student!
I found the crushes and friendship drama all very realistic to middle school, especially 6th grade as kids figure out who they are as adolescents. I also enjoyed that the book did not show middle school as this daunting thing you should fear–Grace was excited to start middle school! Too often just the starting of middle school is blamed for drama, but this book focused more on friends who may be a bit different figuring out how to remain friends despite the differences.
This is a graphic novel that will find love with fans of Raina Telgemeier, Svetlana Chmakova, and Terri Libenson, so it is definitely worth adding to your collection. However, I do want to share that there was one real part that I hope kids reflect on instead of do what Grace does: When she stops being friends with Amy, her new “friend” starts ohysiclly and mentally bullying her, and Grace does nothing. I think Jeong did a good job showing why she did nothing, but I also hope that watching this bullying will make readers want to stand up to a bully the next time they see one!
Discussion Questions:
- What should Grace have done when Cam started picking on Amy?
- Why is Grace so resentful of her brother? Are there incidences in the book that make you empathize for her resentment? How does Grace feel like Kyle’s shadow at home? At school?
- Why does Amy yell what she does when she fights with Grace?
- Why is what Amy was doing to Jay inappropriate?
- How is Cam’s relationship with Grace another type of bullying?
- Why does Kyle stand up for Grace even though he says she’s annoying?
- How is Grace’s mental health affected as she questions her identity?
- How did the author use illustration and color to portray mood?
Flagged Passages:
Read This If You Love: Middle school friend and family drama graphic novels
Recommended For:
**Thank you to Casey at Media Masters Publicity and JY of Yen Press for providing a copy for review!**
I reviewed this book a week from Monday, and I totally agree with your thoughts! It’s definitely a realistic look at middle-school drama, and Grace’s experience being in the shadow of a sibling is surprisingly rare for MG books. I definitely found the book’s style very Svetlana Chmakova-esque, which is a great thing, and I do agree that kids shouldn’t mimic Grace’s somewhat-complicit behavior during that part of the book. I love the discussion questions! Thanks so much for the great review!
I wouldn’t say that Grace is a brat, but I found her reactions to her brother not to be productive. I’m the oldest as well, but my brother and took very different paths in school, so he’s never mentioned feeling as stressed as Grace seems to be! Thanks for the review!