So the first thing you should notice about Dear Sister is that sick amazing ridiculously tone setting cover. This might be my favorite book cover ever. I’m not even going to describe it, just look at it. Did you go out and read it yet? I’ll wait.

I really don’t want to spoil any of this for you, so last chance. Maybe buy a box of tissues on the way.

Dear Sister is a middle-grade graphic novel about a boy growing up with his sister from when she was born until she’s ten (he’s 8 at the start of the book). The entire book is told through letters, sticky notes, and pictures made by the brother addressed to his sister.

He spends the next five years absolutely hating his sister, and only writing her letters when she annoys him.

All the writings have context that makes sense. In his early years, his parents forced him to write her letters in her baby book.

As they get older it’s him writing in his diary and she doesn’t see them. Eventually, he starts warming up to his sister and feeling some empathy.

Well, sometimes.

When he graduates and leaves home, he gives her all the private letters he wrote about her and its the tear-jerkiest thing ever. I hope you bought those tissues. And then if that’s not enough, they punch you in the gut again with the final tear jerker. Which I won’t mention in case you still haven’t read it yet.

Dear Sister is quite possibly the single most innovative piece of fiction I’ve read in the last year.

Diaries? Those are for dorks and wimpy kids.

Comics? Ancient history.

Just do all of that and more. Do everything. And do it from the perspective of someone stuck in a situation where it’s his only method of venting. Cause, you know, who actually talks to their siblings?

So if you still aren’t convinced, here’s an Amazon link. Here’s a Barnes and Noble link. Here’s an Ebay link to a bunch of copies from a trusted secondhand book dealer that makes sure to put those really hard to take off stickers on. Here’s a freight forwarder I’ve seen used at work but haven’t tested myself so take necessary precautions.

It’s worth the read, I promise.

Oh by the way, Alison McGhee just released a companion book, Dear Brother, that follows a different sister and brother pair. It’s a little less tear-jerky, but still very very good. If you liked Dear Sister, you’ll like it too.