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Book Club 2 Discussion Prep
In the graphic novel, “Sisters” by Raina Telgemeier, the protagonist, Raina, goes through
a journey of self-discovery and manages the complexity of sibling relationships. This book is an
emotional investigation about the best and worst sides of sisterhood, self-identification, and
development. The author, Raina Telgemeier, created a platform where the use of illustrations and
engaging narrative engages readers and keeps the attention of upper elementary and middle
school grade students that might not typically be engaged.
Personal Response
This book is highly relatable to the situation in my own family, especially as I look back
on the relationships found within my family. It reminds me of the miscommunications, doubts,
and conflicting interests my brothers and I had during my childhood. Similar to Raina and
Amara, who experience conflict and stressful situations, my brothers and I have witnessed both
the conflicting moments and the happiness in our family, and the unforgettable memories helped
to build unbreakable bonds between us.
Throughout the story, Raina and Amara battle with drastically different personalities and
hobbies, that at the end often turned into conflicts and arguments. Similarly, my brothers and I
went through times of disagreements while I was trying to figure out my direction and habits
within our family. Yet, just like Raina and Amara came to appreciate the differences among
them and embrace them, I have also come to realize that the differences among my brothers and I
supports the whole family and brings us closer.
Within families, the wisdom of Scripture highlights the importance of love, forgiveness
and understanding. For instance, Colossians 3:13 tells us, “bearing with one another and, if one
has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must
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also forgive” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001). We learn from this verse that conflicts
should be faced with humility and compassion, while also seeking unity and reconciliation.
(Word Count: 236)
Pre-Practitioner Response
Furthermore, this book brings together characters, plot, and theme in a way that leaves
readers engaged and eager for more. The storyline portrays Raina’s emotional struggle to
understand the different levels of sisterhood, family relationships, and self-awareness. The
illustrations, as well as the characters, are well drawn which enables readers to relate closely
with the events that happen to Raina and her sister and feel their emotions.
The application of the graphic novel format, described as a unique combination of art,
text, design, and are defined by their format, is used to engage students with the material and
enable them to reflect more on each chapter (Galda, et. al., 2014/2017, p. 122). Illustrations are
one of the most powerful tools for sending emotional messages about the characters. This helps
to give visual clues to support the text, further building comprehension, knowledge, and
understanding. Additionally, the graphic novel style is appealing to many people and various
types of readers, such as reluctant readers and visual learners. The incorporation of speech
bubbles, panels, and animated scenes allows for an engaging reader experience that keeps the
students’ attention and encouraging their involvement in the story. The use of illustrations makes
the story more believable and thought-provoking at the same time, which also increases the
reader’s engagement and critical thinking.
In the classroom, “Sisters” is a great resource that can be used to look at common issues
in life such as connections within families, awareness of our own identities, and strong will
among children. Teachers can lead class discussions and activities that would allow for students
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to explore characters within the book, showing motives, conflicts, and progress. Additionally, the
graphic novel format enables new learning approaches, such as collaboration, visual literacy
skills, plotting techniques, and artistic aspects.
(Word Count: 293)
Conclusion
Overall, “Sisters” is a beautiful story that shows us the many struggles and joy of sibling
relationships, while at the same time, leaving readers with the desire of love, forgiveness, and
acceptance among the members of their family. It is a good example of a graphic novel that can
be used to relay its ideas to students of upper elementary and middle school grade levels; thus,
making it an ideal resource for these classrooms. Its engaging storyline, lively characters, and
visualization allows readers to comprehend deep concepts as well as an opportunity for reflection
and critical thinking.
