Siblings Books

This book provides wonderful ideas for activities that certified Sibshop facilitators can use to provide the brothers and sisters of children with developmental disabilities opportunities to have fun, be kids, make friends and talk about the ups and downs of having a "special" sibling. Every organization serving children with special needs should offer a Sibshop - it is a tremendous source of family support.

The book is thorough and very good to assist you in running the SibShop program.

With this book, you can easily set up and run a sibshop for siblings of kids with special needs. Think of the lives you can change with this book! It has great examples and encouragement, and references.

This book provides a much needed platform for people who have siblings with special needs. It also serves as a manifesto for how you, too can set up such a workshop for people to share their experiences.

This is an excellent and empowering book that helps address the needs of siblings. I recommend this one together with Donald J. Meyers' book, "Views From Our Shoes."

This story kind of reminds me of the realtionship I have with my own brother. In this book, there is an 11 year old girl named Ivy, and her older sister named Lacy. There lives became horrifying when they found out that their parents are going to get divorced. Their old friendship and bond broke.

Althogh Lacy seem to hate Ivy more than ever, Ivy still loved her sister and wished to get along very well once again. Lacy never got any nicer, because she was so furious at the thought of their parents getting divorced. One day, at a restaurant, Lacy announced that she wanted to get a divorce with Ivy. Ivy agreed but inside she was very hurt.

Lacy decided to live with her father while Ivy stayed with her father, and they would meet on the weekends. One weekend, Ivy lost her temper and they got into a horrible fight. Their punishment was to be stuck in one room together for a whole weekend. Eventually, they began to talk to eachother and told them how they felt when they were fighting.

They made a deal, to sacrifice something that really bothers eathother and they ended up getting along very well. Although their parent's relationship didnt end up that way, they got over it, and began to live their normal life again. Only if my brother and I got along like that...

Ivy, 11, and her sister Lacey, 15, have always gotten along fairly well. Ivy even thought they liked each other. But she's thinking that one over again. One night, out of the blue, Lacey tells her, "I hated it when you were born." Say what? Ivy acts cool, but Lacey's comment really hurt her. Why is Lacey being mean to her?

Everything else in her life is turning topsy-turvy, too. The same day that Lacey drops the bombshell, their parents have a big fight. Their mother, after giving their father the silent treatment for a whole week, finally decides to talk to him. Don't take that new job, she says, or get out of the house. He decides to get out of the house. And Lacey goes with him.

What's going on? Ivy is so sick of her parents fighting all the time that she doesn't care if they do get divorced. But will it mean that she can't be best friends with Susanna anymore? Ivy doesn't feel comfortable talking to Susanna about the way things are. What will Susanna think about Ivy's parents divorcing?

If parents can divorce, can't sisters? Lacey wants to, but their parents want the girls to settle their differences once and for all. Ivy asks them if they are going to shut her and Lacey up in a room until they come out all hugs and kisses. Never give your parents a bad idea...

What happens? Will their parents really do such an awful thing? There's a difference between garbage fights and compost fights. Which kind will Ivy and Lacey have?

--- (...)

This book was a great story, I just love american girl books! Sister Split is about a girl named Ivy, and her parents are getting a divorce. Ivy and her sister are shocked. So from there parents anger, they say that they are getting seperated too. Ivy's sister moves out with her father, and Ivy stays with her mother. But when each child visits each other, they do horrible but funny things to each other. Ivy's only comfort is her bunny and her best friend. If you enjoy a great story, and you are a girl 11-13 you should read it!! It was excellent!

I loved this book! It really described the lives bewteen sisters and there divorced parents. It seemed like a true story, about what goes on in the lives divorced kids trying to solve there problems about the parents. It is about a girl named Ivy and her sister Lacy who mostly got along intill Lacy told Ivy "she hated when she was born." Then there life gets awful when there parents decide to split up. They both start to hate each other, but sercetly Ivy still loves her sister. And doesn't want her to live with her father while she is with her mother. But luckly Ivy has her best friend and her rabbit to keep her company. But soon after a lot of arguing bewteen them they solve there differences. It is a great and easy to read. I like it. It was funny about the fights they had and also gave me a great lesson to try to love your sister even if you have differences. I recommend it to anyone mostly a girl though. Try It and I am sure you will like it because I sure did!!

My daughter loves Candy Apple Books! My only problem is that most of the main characters have a crush on a boy, even when it's not really necessary to the storyline. But they are all very innocent and sweet and yet deal with real problems of girls this age. I'd recommend them for girls 9-13.

I read this book in about two days. It was funny, kept me turning pages and made me wish I was a twin (so I would have somebody to take my fitness test!). I recommend it to anyone.

Caitlin and Andie are excited to start junior high. They are identical twins on the outside but are different in their personalities and interests. Caitlin is an excellent student who has high hopes of being a part of the Jazz Ensemble group, while Andie would rather be on the field kicking the soccer ball.

Olive used to be a close friend of both girls until she went with Andie to soccer camp. Caitlin chose not to go and the other two girls became closer. Caitlin misses that and hopes that someday she and Olive can be best buddies again.

School starts off with a bang: Caitlin has to take a physical fitness test and just knows she won't be able to pass it. It would be a piece of cake for Andie, so just this once, why don't they trade places? It will just be for a day.... Or so the girls think!

The sisters soon realize they are caught in a big mess! Can they get out of it without anyone's feelings being hurt? How will Olive take the news that her best friend has been lying to her?

This is a fun, entertaining book. It kept me anxiously reading to find out who would realize the twins had switched places and what would happen next.

Reviewed by: hoopsielv

This book was intriguing. It kept me interested the whole time because it was so descriptive in explaining the sisters in action. The differences in the sisters kept me laughing. A great book!

Mr and Mrs.Wakefield invite Mrs.Wakefield's sisters,Laura and Nancy along with their children,Robin,Stacey and Kelly for Thanksgiving and all they do is fight! Alice[Mrs.Wakefield] and her sisters fight,Elizabeth and Jessica fight, Robin and Stacey fight. I think one of them runs away over the fighting.

This is another extra-funny Sweet Valley Twin classic!Jessica and Elizabeths auntys are visiting and,despite Mrs Wakefields constant ramblings that she and her sisters never ever fought,the house is FILLED to the brim with arguments galore!It is really funny too,and the interaction between Jess +Liz and their cousins is fun and realistiuc as always,and yep we get to meet Robin again!

This was one of the best SVT books I've read! A great Thanksgiving story with a lot of bittersweet memories & a good deal of family stress that marks this time of the year. The book rivals a Baby-Sitters' Club book with its deep probe into the psychology & family dynamics & poignant parts. Interesting how Alice insisted that she & her sister NEVER fought, but when her sisters Nancy & Laura show up, they fight more than Elizabeth & Jessica & their cousins! All in all, it was a lot like a BSC book...a warm, touching family gathering, but imperfect with a poignant, bittersweet ending. The families of the BSC members end up with family gatherings like that. A great Thanksgiving read!

Good book. Could do a little bit more better. Jessica and Elizabeth are always fighting, that's true. Their mother admit that she and her sisters never fight, even once ! But on Thanksgiving Day, everything changes. Jessica and Elizabeth's aunts and cousins come to Sweet Valley to celebrate the big day. Somebody wake up early in the morning to do the stuffing. Some changes in the family history. It also changes the 'harmony' family who never quarrels. They conduct a war on a day which suppose to be happy and loving. Who stop it ? Jessica ? Elizabeth ? One of their cousins ? You'll just have to read it.

SISTERS OF THE SWORD
MAYA SNOW
Historical Middle Grade

Hardcover - Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Kimi is the daughter of one of the best Jitos that feudal Japan has seen in a long time. While she is well practiced in many of what we would call "womanly" arts, she yearns to be a samurai warrior. Her father believes that girls should be able to protect themselves so he has been training Kimi, and her sister Hanna, in the samurai arts since they were little and they both have a lot of potential. Even though it is known that girls don't become samurais Kimi is determined to find a way.

Kimi never imagined her chance to become samurai would come so soon. But then her uncle murders her father and brothers right in front of her eyes. Kimi and Hanna narrowly escape, but are left alone. With their father and brothers dead and their mother and younger brother gone into hiding, Kimi and Hanna have no where to go. Determined to seek their revenge on their uncle the girls know that they must train under the best and so when they arrive at Master Goku's dojo, or training school, they know they've found the right place. Dressed up as boys, Hanna and Kimi attempt to seek a spot in the school, but all the spots are taken. While all the spots are taken for students the girls do manage to get spots as servants. While most of their days are spent cleaning and cooking they do manage to get in a few classes and start their training to become samurais. Swept up in a whirlwind adventure filled with samurai codes, swords and self-discovery, the girls' lives will never be the same again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author did a great job creating not only the main characters, but also the supporting characters. I was definitely able to sense the bond the sisters shared, which made this book very unique. It was interesting to see the sisters grow through each other. They helped each through the worst of times and held each other up when in need. It was also very refreshing that the girls were determined to fight. They didn't cower behind someone else and let them fight, they stood up for themselves and were determined to restore honor to their family - which I thought was such a great girl power message!! The supporting characters were also exceptionally put together. I felt like they played a big role in the book and just as developed as the main characters. It was also very evident that a lot of research went into recreating thirteenth century Japan. The author organized this information in a way which wasn't confusing and I was actually able to learn a few fun facts. While it took a couple of chapters to get into the book I was able to fully immerse myself and found I was caught up in the adventures of the girls. I am very much hoping for a sequel (the ending left a few unanswered questions) as I really enjoyed this book.

This is Maya Snow's first novel, but I definitely hope it won't be her last! You can find out more information about her at
http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/33325/Maya_Snow/index.aspx

Tasha S.
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
July 2008

this book was surprisingly good. i wouldn't say that i was surprised by the material, because you can get a pretty good idea of what to expect from the plot by reading the summary, kind of a mulan/ alanna series (tamora peirce) story about a girl who rises out of the stereotypical female role and sort of blurs the boundary we so readily assign to gender association. and this story is a good one, but because it's so over done there is a huge potential for failure. this book however, did not fail.

first off i have to say that i'm somewhat impressed. this is a story about two young girls dealing with the death of their father and brothers, and there is actually evidence of violence. it is a children's book so of course there is nothing too graphic, but it is no max and ruby! you fear for the characters and the suspense your fear creates because they could actually get hurt really increases the anticipation. the story makes you want to feel things basically :P but again, this is a novel for children. i picked it up in the 9 - 12 section of the book store and i'd say the subject matter is handled in a way appropriate for that age. more often than not, though danger is close at hand, the girls are spared what would be a scary scene (and what would have been added in the adult version of the novel with more gore and blood) leaving only a handful of actual encounters wherein they are confronted with an unpleasant confrontation.

the main characters kimi and hana were great as well. the story wasn't so much about how they 'beat the system', how they showed everyone that girls can do whatever boys can. it was a better story, side stepping that superficial attempt at feminism. it was about inner strength and fighting your own demons with what you've got. and yes kimi wants to be a samurai like nothing else, but the focus of the story is on how she reacts with strength and courage when such a bad thing has happened to her and her family. she uses her desire to become a samurai to move forward, to avenge her family, but her reason of existence isn't to prove that she can. she knows she can. her purpose is acknowledge her ability, nurture it, and then use it to best accomplish what she desires.

the book ended... like a beginning, so i assume this is the beginning of some sort of series. and this is a novel written for children, but that i'm 20 yr old university student and still enjoyed it says something, i think, about the author's talent for storytelling. it was a well written book with a good story and great characters. i look forward to a continuation.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this captivating book, which, instead of loosing itself in unnecessary details ("lard factor"), tells an exiting straightforward story with characters that I could easily identify myself with. I find myself reminded of stories by Tamora Pierce or Mercedes Lackey, where I young heroine has to go through many adventures and adversities to finally prevail against evil. Highly recommended. I am very much looking forward to the sequel!

Kimi and her sister, Hana, live a life of luxury as daughters of the Jito, a samurai lord and leader of a strong province in 13th-Century Japan. They do not lead idle lives, however; their father understands the importance of a broad education, and in addition to learning the womanly arts of embroidery and tea-pouring, they are trained in the ways of combat, leading Kimi, the narrator, to wish fervently that she could one day be a samurai, like her father and two older brothers.

Unfortunately, disaster strikes in the form of Kimi and Hana's uncle, Hidehiro. Their father's younger brother, annoyed at their father's growing power, plots to kill their father and wipe out their branch of the family so that he can rule. Kimi, Hana, their mother, and younger brother manage to escape, but their older brothers and their father are brutally slaughtered by Hidehiro.

Separated from their mother and brother, Kimi and Hana disguise themselves as boys and present themselves to a local dojo, where they are taken on as servants by the wise Sensei Goku, who promises to teach them further fighting skills if they comport themselves well. While at the dojo they meet with a boy of peasant background, Tatsuya, who is ridiculed for his low status since most of those training under Goku are nobles. Kimi and Hana's cousin, Ken-ichi, plays the role of small-scale antagonist; although he does not realize his cousins are actually alive and right under his nose, he makes their life difficult.

Kimi and Hana must maintain their disguise while learning the skills of the samurai so they can face their uncle Hidehiro in combat and revenge their father's death once and for all.

I enjoyed the characters, and got a good picture of the relationship between the sisters. The secondary characters, such as Tatsuya and Goku, were well-drawn. An obvious deal of research went into recreating Japanese life in this time period, but the author presents this detail without confusing the reader. The conclusion of the book was satisfying, but leaves room for a sequel that I, for one, would be excited to see.

Reviewed by: Candace Cunard

This book has a great story. It truly captures the imagination of the children reading it. My daughter had me read it again and again. She just could not get enough of it. She loves horses, so the thought of getting on a snow horse and taking off was a marvelous thought. She wanted to make one as soon as we finished the book, the only problem was it was summer. She made me promise we could make one after the first good snow fall. She still talks about that book. It is truly a book to remember.

What a charming way to combine a child's love of horses and snow. The illustrations are like riding in a winter wonderland. It is great for kids who love snow and for kids in warmer climates who can only imagine playing in the snow. Children can use stories like this to write their own fantasies and to explore artistic abilities. This book works well with 10,000 White Horses, a book in poetic prose where a child pretends to ride white horses rising out of the sea foam. Excerpts are on my website. It is available there and at Amazon.

A book that will keep your child wondering if snow ponies really DO come alive when night comes along...... the kids loved it and I loved reading it with them.

Every child knows that snow is magical. Remember waking up after snow had fallen during the night and just being able to FEEL that it had snowed without even looking? Remember it's crispy crunch under your boots? Remember how brilliant and flickering the stars were on a cold winter's night with the wind hushing in the pine trees? If you can remember these things this book will happily transport you back to those magical days. If you don't have snow memories then you had better read this book and make some! Children will love this and readily relate to its magical spell because they know all things are possible with snow. The story begins as Matthew sees the first feathery flakes of a snowfall and he and his sister, Molly, speculate about school being cancelled the next morning. Sure enough, a deep blanket of snow falls during the night and school is called off. The creative kids build a pair of snow horses rather than snowmen. (From the gorgeous double spread watercolor paintings you can see how to craft these beauties yourself and there's not any heavy lifting like there is with a tall snowman.) At night, Matthew and Molly slip outside and mount their horses, holding imaginary reins. Much to their delight the horses come to life and take them on an incredible moonlit ride through the snowy wonderland of a moonlit winter landscape. I grew up in Ohio where the artist grew up and where the author currently lives and it is certainly magical the way these two have captured every nuance of a snowy winter, the sounds, silences, smells and textures, the cold and the exhilaration. They both remember childhood so clearly and we find it springing off the pages of this wonderful book, astride two snow white horses with shaggy fetlocks and flying manes and tails. Share this joyful book with your kids and get out there, if you're lucky enough, and build a couple of snow horses, too!

I gave this book to my sister for her college graduation last year because she is so special to me, and this book puts those feelings into words. It's written about a set of twin sisters, but any sisters can appreciate it...it's about the sweetest book I've ever read! The illustrations are photographs of the clay characters and they are precious! A WONDERFUL book that is difficult to find but worth the search!

The illustrations in Spider Sisters are so wonderful and creative (clay and real objects). John Trent uses spiders to describe the wonderful love and friendship that sisters share ('fuzzy armed hug', many arms to share toys with). There's such love and care in every word; i am buying one for each of my two sisters (and one for me--since i am using a borrowed copy). Get one!

My girls love this book as much as I do. It teaches them how to love each other and be there for each other....always. My girls have memorized many of the lines and refer to themselves as Spider Sisters a lot. Sweet as pie...it brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. We give it to other little girls with sisters all the time as a gift.

This is a charming narrative told by a young spider concerning the good, the bad and the ugly of growing up with a sister. Differences between the sisters are pointed out; however, the similarities which bond are also delightfully revealed. My young daughters, ages 5 and 3, as well as myself, thoroughly enjoyed this story amidst the detailed and colorful illustrations. Even in their early development, my girls came to recognize within the story that they have differences just as the spider sisters did, but that they too "will always have each other."

This is a book about a family and it is based on the little girl of the family, Stacy. Her mom has a new baby and Stacy is jealous of her little sister. She wants all the attention from her parent's back. Eventually she decides that she wants to be a good big sister and wants to start playing with her baby sister. She realizes that her parents haven't forgotten all about her after all. One morning she wakes up to crying and she knows it's not her sister crying. She going into her parents room to see them crying. Her baby sitter had died during the night of sudden infant death syndrome. Everyone missed the baby so much including Stacy.
I liked this book cause it really told how little kids act like when they do get a new sibling. They do tend to be jealous and feel left out because the baby gets all the attention. I also like this story because it has a different twist to it. It is tragic the baby dies but it does happen and I think that it is good to have books to explain to little kids about things like this. It had great, very realistic pictures that really followed a long with the story.
I think the author was trying to get across the point that things like this happen but in a way children can understand it. I don't think children should be blocked off from bad things that could happen to anyone and this story really seems to get that point across. It also seems to say something about cherishing the time you have with someone because you never know when he or she might not just be there.

I bought this book for my son after his sister died of SIDS. He is only 2 1/2, and still doesn't grasp the concept of death, but I think it's a good book, and am glad that I will have it to show him, when he does begin to understand.

This is a story about a little girl named Stacy and her family. Stacy is excited for the birth of her new baby sister Ashley. However she has mixed feelings when the baby starts getting more attention from Stacy's parents then she is. Soon Stacy realizes that she wants to be a good sister and she cannot wait until little Ashley gets old enough to really play with. Sadly one morning Stacy wakes up to a crying. When Stacy goes into her parents' room she is told that Ashley had died that night from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Her parents try to comfort her when she thinks that she may have been responsible for her little sisters death or that SIDS is contagious.
I believe that the author did such a wonderful job in telling a story of a common occurrence with babies, as well as helping children to understand SIDS with a little description in the back of the book. The pictures and the story are just so touching that it would be so easily explained to a young child what Sudden Infant Death Syndrome actually is. If any child has ever lost a brother or a sister to SIDS the author does a great job of explaining that it is not their fault no matter how they felt about the baby.
I loved this book mainly because of the story. I was so sad when I read this book and then I thought of all the little kids and parents could really appreciate this book if they had lost a sibling to SIDS. I have never experienced a loss like Stacy and her family but after reading this book I have a little bit more of an understanding and sympathy.

Each library visit, my daughter, Imani(age 6), finds this book and insists I read it to her. So, today I ordered it for her birthday. I think Imani loves the book for a number of reasons: 1) Understanding a glimpse of mortality and the notion that a baby could die is right at my 6 year old's emotional growing edge. These subjects are rare to find in a children's book. 2) The author delicately talks about the emotions of guilt and grief, and paints very real pictures of mommy, daddy, and Stacy struggling with them. I believe my daughter is attracted to these real pictures of parents suffering, because she has witnessed some raw moments of parents struggling lovingly with deep sadness. For example, "Things changed at home after the funeral. Mommy cried a lot. Sometimes Daddy did, too. Mommy yelled at Daddy. Daddy almost stopped talking to anyone, even Stacy. And Stacy wondered...." The parents in this book are not sitcom soundbytes of parental perfection or dysfunction. Hurray! 3) I think my daughter picked out the book initially because it is pink and has a picture of a family with a baby, parents, and sad little girl on the front. It is a "pretty" book, with good color and illustrations. 4) The book defines Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: SIDS. SIDS is a disease the children can pronounce and understand. It's not over their heads, and an excellent beginning introduction to disease and death. As a member of the clergy, I am familiar with grief counseling; I would recommend this book for any child dealing with the grieving process. It walks through the funeral without opening the door to religious belief. I like the way the story draws to a close: with parents listening, and offering a loving embrace, and finding a special photograph for Stacey to keep by her bed. There isn't a hint of brushing away the sadness with a false sense of security. It ends, "And Stacy knew she would always remember her special little sister, Ashley."

This is a delightful children's book, especially for a child who lives away from their grandmother.

Another Excellent book by Marie-Louise Gay! The only thing that should be different in her wonderful books is that instead of 2-4 years they should be labeled 2-104 years! ;-)))

I bought all the "Stella" books b/c my Daughter's name is E'Stella - regardless of why I initially bought them-- SHE LOVES THEM. . . the pictures are fantastic and it answers a lot of whys for a curious 3 year old. I would highly recommend any of Marie Louise Gay's books.

This book is a wonderful story about Sam, Stella's younger brother, who is full of questions about the sun, moon and stars. Stella has simple, heartwarming explanations for Sam. These are illustrated beautifully by the author in dreamy watercolors. The dialogue is well-written and realistic. I think that's why my daughters love Stella and Sam so much -- they've had similar conversations. A book that will be read again and again, Marie Louise-Gay shows us the beauty in the simpler things in life.

Have you ever had to spend the summer doing things you hated? If you want to know what happens you should read the book Switcharound. Its about a brother and sister that makes up a baseball team so they do not have to g o to there dad’s. They went last year and thought it was boring. They hated it. The siblings tried to explain to their mom that the reason they couldn’t go was because they had a baseball team and would rather stay and play then go to their dad’s. There was one problem. Their plan didn’t work. Their mom made them go to their dad’s anyway. It didn’t matter how much they begged, there was no way to get out of it. Was their summer ruined? Was it as boring as they expected? To find out, you’ll have to read Switcharound by Lois Lowry.

If you liked The One-Hundredth Thing About Caroline, you'll love this book. Caroline and her brother J.P. go to Des Moines, Iowa to spend the summer with their father. Everything gets switched around!

The words are hard and sometimes exasperating, but the book brings a lot of humer. Lowry did a great job on making everyhing seem so lively. It must have took a lot of contemplation to write that book. Lowry's a great auther, and I'm glad the amount of her books aren't meager.

Switcharound
By Lois Lowry
This book is about two siblings named Caroline and J.P. who do not agree on anything and who's parents are divorced and live in different parts of the country. They have to go and visit their father, his wife, Lillian, Their son, David(Poochie) and their twins Holly and Ivy. They hate their father and are prepared for a terrible summer with him. But in the end their summer is very fun and eventful and they want to go back to their fathers again as soon as possible. Also their visit breaks up their war and they have a summer without any fighting.
I liked this book a lot and there are many things I like about it. One thing I liked about it was that it was very eventful. Like when they are on the plain going to their dads house. Also I like how there is a lot of detail. For example when it explains what the twins look like it explains every little mark on their bodies including the mole on the back of Ivy's shoulder.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes realistic fiction. I would also recommend this book to people who are at an medium to fast level of reading.