Ten Ways to Make My Sister Disappear

August 6, 2007
Mazer's (What I Believe
) engaging if somewhat familiar novel centers on a 10-year-old girl's mixed feelings for her older sister. Sprig and Dakota used to play and giggle together, “but when Dakota turned twelve in August? Boom,
just like that, something fell out of the sky and hit her on the head, she also turned bossy and know-it-all.” Sprig's resentment intensifies when their father, an architect/engineer, leaves on a lengthy business trip that later extends (without so much as a quick flight home) to a month or two in Afghanistan. Dakota chides Sprig for crying when she misses their father, and when Sprig worries out loud about the dangers of Kabul, Dakota tells her she's being stupid. And why does Dakota get to talk to Dad first each time he calls home? Mazer weaves in subplots that are slightly too neat—Sprig visits an elderly neighbor (whose attention the sisters compete for) at just the right moment to save her from a stroke; a fight, also well-timed, with her best friend teaches Sprig the perils of jealousy—and she wraps up the conflicts rather tidily. But the author excels at depicting the complexity of preteens' emotions and relationships, especially sibling relationships; many readers will recognize their own feelings here. Ages 9-12.

November 1, 2007
Gr 4-6-Sprig's world would be great if only she could make her older sister go away. Tired of Dakota's teasing and telling her how to behave, the 10-year-old copes by imagining creative ways to rid herself of her sibling, envisioning everything from baking her like a cookie to shipping her off to the Antarctic. Further distressing to her is the fact that her best friend is starting to notice boys, and this is leading to quarrels between them. Toss on top of that a father in Afghanistan and a neighbor who falls ill before her eyesit's no wonder Sprig frequently breaks down in tears. Captured in these trying relationships are deeper understandings of the dynamics of friendship and sisterhood. Important lessons about decision-making and age-appropriate responsibility are effortlessly delivered. Sprig learns that jealousy and anger are poor companions and that seemingly insurmountable differences can sometimes lead to surprising unions. This entertaining and true-to-life book is an excellent introduction to the world of boys, sibling rivalry, and loyalty. Mazer's telling of age-old struggles will easily find a home with reluctant readers and sisters alike."Erin Schirota, Bronxville Public Library, NY"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2007
Ten-year-old Sprig wears her heart on her sleeve, so when her father, an engineer and architect, leaves to build schools in Afghanistan, she has trouble making theadjustment.Tears also flow when it comes to the teasing dished out by her older sister, Dakota. In small, but well-defined moments, Sprig deals with the superiority of place granted to an older sibling, squabbles with friends, and the faces first love, both for Dakota, and rather surprisingly, for Sprig herself. This short book is best catagorized as slice of life, brought under the umbrella ofDads absence. Its the characters, though, who really make everything come together. Mazer hits just the right note with each, from the children tothe elderly neighborSprig saveswhenthe womanhas a stroke. In an astute bit of push-pull, Sprig is called a heroine, even though she knows she could have gotten help sooner. A solid choice for an underserved age group.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)