Ten Rules for Living with My Sister

Starred review from June 20, 2011
Credible characterizations, on-the-nail humor, and well-observed family dynamics add up to another hit from Newbery Honor author Martin (A Corner of the Universe). In a freewheeling, off-the-cuff narrative, nine-year-old Pearl candidly assesses how she measures up to her seemingly perfect older sister, Lexie, who has multiple friends (including a boyfriend), a stack of awards, and her own key to their Manhattan apartment. Pearl, meanwhile, has a first-grader for a best friend, and their cat, Bitey, for a "boyfriend." The rapport between the often bickering sisters and their conflicting emotions about the otherâjealousy and admiration on Pearl's part, annoyance and affection on Lexie'sâare entirely convincing. When their grandfather is injured and moves in with them, Pearl is thrilled to accommodate him ("I smiled sweetly. âI would be happy to help out by moving into Lexie's room' "), and Pearl's close relationship with her grandfather grows increasingly poignant as she becomes aware that he has dementia. It's not hard to picture Pearl and Lexie as successors to Ramona and Beezus as Martin creates a novel as entertaining as it is true. Ages 9â12.

April 15, 2011

New York City is the setting of Newbery Honor winner Martin's (A Corner of the Universe, 2002) latest, which deftly explores the discord between two sisters.

Just barely nine, Pearl Littlefield, at times wise beyond her years, knows all too well that being the younger sister of a 14-year-old has its ups and downs. To keep harmony, Pearl needs to figure out how to live with Lexie without irritating her. This is especially hard now that they are forced to share a tiny bedroom because their grandfather, Daddy Bo, is living with them while he awaits his move to an assisted-living facility. To keep the peace, Pearl makes the titular list. "Rule #3. Try not to tease Lexie, sometimes this is hard because she says stupid things." Throughout the school year, Pearl discovers that adhering to her rules does make a difference. Pearl, as narrator, shows herself to be a keen observer of the people around her and mature enough to handle some sticky situations, all with a sense of humor and aplomb. Readers will welcome Pearl's insights as she grapples with loneliness after her best friend moves across town, Lexie's frequent outbursts and her concern for Daddy Bo as he grows increasingly forgetful. 

Martin has a gift for creating appealing characters in an atmosphere of caring and forgiveness. (Fiction. 9-12)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

October 1, 2011

Gr 4-7-Nine-year-old Pearl Littlefield always seems to be saying and doing the wrong thing. Consequently her older sister ignores her, or worse, hangs a "no Pearl allowed" sign on her bedroom door. Pearl wants very badly for Lexie to include her in her life and comes up with 10 rules to help her not to annoy her sibling. She finds that when she tries to follow them, she and Lexie get along better. When the girls' grandfather comes to live with them, Pearl has to move in to Lexie's bedroom. Both of the girls knows this isn't going to be easy and they have to adjust to make it work. Filled with humor and realistic family situations, the story takes an emotional turn when it becomes evident that their beloved grandfather has dementia. Sibling rivalry, distracted parents, and aging grandparents aren't new elements in children's literature but Martin's expertise at capturing a character's authentic voice brings a high level of depth and meaning to this work. The longing to be like her sister comes across loud and clear and will resonate with readers who are, or have, younger siblings or are just trying to find their way with various relationships. Give this book to those who have loved Beverly Cleary's Beezus and Ramona (Morrow, 1955) and to graduates of Peggy Gifford's "Moxy Maxwell" stories (Random).-Tina Martin, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2011
Grades 3-6 With more than a little of Ramona Quimby in her blood, Pearl is quite a character. A creative fourth-grader who's a tad immature (her best friend is in first grade), she annoys her eighth-grade sister, Lexie, by doing eccentric things (e.g., walking about in her underwear). Pearl narrates how she tries to win back at least a little of Lexie's respect the year the girls' grandfather comes to live with them in New York City. The move forces the girls to share Lexie's room, hence the titular rules. Martin handles Pearl's maturation deftly: step by step, the inveterate list maker relates not only how she learns to handle her reactions to her sister's provocations but how she smartens her response to mean classmates and deals with a beloved grandparent losing his sense of reality. By the time Pearl's birthday rolls around, readers will be convinced she truly deserves her own key to the family's apartmenta symbol Pearl equates with being as grown-up as Lexie. An enjoyable read for fans of realistic fiction, leavened with humor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)