Spectacular Sisters

December 1, 2021

Gr 4-8-A sister should have your back, be your biggest cheerleader and a shoulder to cry on, and share in your greatest joys. This collection highlights famous sisters throughout time. Readers will learn about those such as the Shoshone activist sisters, Mary and Carrie Dann, and Anna and Emma Hyers, American singers and pioneers of Black musical theater. Organized alphabetically by subject, biographies span the gamut of ancient to contemporary time, including famous sisters of today such as the Kardashians. This biographical collection includes beautiful full-color illustrations by the author-illustrator. Fifty-two sibling sets are described and source materials are listed. VERDICT This book would be a good additional purchase for libraries looking for a unique take on history.-Lisa Gieskes, Richland County P.L., Columbia, SC

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November 1, 2021
Grades 4-8 This collection offers fresh takes on more than 40 sets of biological sisters, pulling together pairs, trios, and even some groups of six (the Azmis, Pakistani Muslim hockey stars) or seven (the Sutherlands, nineteenth-century circus performers). Spanning centuries and continents, entrants range from sisters who made history (the Soong sisters) to sisters who excel at different things (superstar Diana Ross and her sister, Barbara, a prominent physician) to sisters who share special talents (Serena and Venus Williams, the Bront� sisters) to celebrity sisters (Olsens, Kardashians, and Schuylers, among others). Full-page illustrations introduce each family, while engaging and accessible essays set up historical and social contexts and offer details about personal relationships. Special emphasis is placed on sisters who have defied contemporary gender expectations, including abolitionists, suffragettes, and groundbreaking feminists. From the Trưng sisters--first-century Vietnamese warriors--to the Obama daughters, all of these women are worthy role models. An entertaining first stop for researchers (chapter notes and recommended readings included), this unique collection should also attract plenty of browsers.

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October 1, 2021
A collection of profiles of sisters who have influenced culture, inspired change, and made history. Choosing subjects connected by the bond of sisterhood, Lewis offers an overview of the lives of some of the most influential and famous women in history whose lives span continents and centuries. From tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams and the Azmi sisters, Pakistani Canadian field hockey players, to politician Kamala Harris and her civil rights lawyer sister, Maya, readers are introduced to women who have established names for themselves in their respective fields. Alongside towering literary, artistic, and political figures, readers will find the Kardashians and Kate and Pippa Middleton. The author is keen to note the humanity in the women's interpersonal relationships by sharing instances of sibling rivalry, jealousy, and discord as well as the moments that celebrate the firm bonds of sisterhood. The very brief nature of each profile--consisting of a title page, an attractive full-page portrait, and two scant pages of text offering cursory information--means that the book reads like a series of Wikipedia entries. Indeed, the author drew heavily upon secondary sources such as general news websites for material. Although the profiles are not in-depth enough to serve as material for school reports, the work may inspire appreciation and further interest. A surface-level salute to sisterhood. (further reading, sources) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

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