SMALLER SISTER

A graphic novel that shines a spotlight on the impact eating disorders have on two sisters.

This brightly illustrated story of sibling rivalry wastes no time in revealing its serious topic: anorexia nervosa (a content warning appears at the beginning of the book). Little sister Lucy has always looked up to big sister Olivia. For many years, their frequent fights were easily resolved by an apology note written in the sisters’ invented secret code and a session of playing with dolls. But as Olivia enters her tween years, the pressures of middle school begin to affect her self-confidence. Willis taps into her childhood memories of her older sister’s struggles and the effect they had on her own eating and self-image, vividly portraying a family in crisis. The full-color spreads, which feature contrasting pages for Lucy’s notebook entries, are well designed and capture the emotional impact on the lonely younger girl. When the negative pattern of peer pressure repeats itself for Lucy, will the family recognize the body shame she struggles with? There is a strong message here that those who surround you matter—and that the bond of sisterhood sustains. The accessible tone and format allow a difficult topic to be gently revealed with painful honesty balanced by humor and silliness. The girls and their family read as White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast.

Compassionately approaches the stigma and mystery surrounding eating disorders.