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Dear Sister

Illustrated by Joe Bluhm
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About The Book

“While books on sibling rivalry abound, [Dear Sister] brings freshness to the topic with McGhee's gentle humor and poignant scenarios…Dear indeed.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A meaningful look at…siblinghood and all its foibles.” —Publishers Weekly


What do you do when you have an incredibly annoying little sister? Write her letters telling her so, of course! From New York Times bestselling author Alison McGhee comes a wickedly funny, illustrated, heartwarming, and searingly honest collection of letters from an older brother to his little sister.

Whininess, annoyingness, afraid of the darkness, refusal to eat lima beans, and pulling brother’s hair. These are the criteria on which little sisters are graded. Inspired by the notes Alison McGhee’s own kids would write each other, this heavily illustrated collection of letters and messages from an older brother to his little sister reveal the special love—or, at the very least, tolerance—siblings have for each other.

About The Author

Photograph (c) Alison McGhee
Alison McGhee

Alison McGhee is the New York Times bestselling author of Someday, as well as Dear Sister, What I Leave Behind, Pablo and Birdy, Where We Are, Maybe a Fox with Kathi Appelt, Firefly Hollow, Little Boy, So Many Days, Star Bright, A Very Brave Witch, Dear Brother, and the Bink and Gollie books. Her other children’s books include All Rivers Flow to the Sea, Countdown to Kindergarten, and Snap!. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Laguna Beach, California. You can visit her at AlisonMcGhee.com.

About The Illustrator

Joe Bluhm

Joe Bluhm is an Academy Award–winning artist who worked with William Joyce on The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. He’s also a character designer, animator, and recovering theme park caricaturist. He lives in Louisiana. Visit him at JoeBluhm.Blogspot.com.

Why We Love It

Anyone who has a sibling will identify with this book that depicts the sibling relationship at its most real…hilarious, cunning, vengeful, and ultimately, wildly devoted. —Caitlyn D., VP and Editorial Director on Dear Sister

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (October 2, 2018)
  • Length: 192 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481451444
  • Ages: 10 - 99
  • Lexile ® 560L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Awards and Honors

  • Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee
  • Indian Paintbrush Book Award Nominee (WY)

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: Alison McGhee

More books from this illustrator: Joe Bluhm