My Sister, Then and Now

By Virginia L. Kroll

Book Overview

Ten-year-old Rachael describes how her twenty-year-old sister's schizophrenia has affected the family and expresses her own feelings of sadness and anger.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0876145845
• ISBN13: 9780876145845
• Release Date: September 1992
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 7.1" x 7.2"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Sisterly Love

Rachael has reason to worry about her older sister, Karen, 22. At 10, Rachael has had to take on the role of sister-protector after Karen suffers a psychotic break shortly after starting college. Karen's illness is insidious. She starts roaming the house at night, waking Rachael with bizarre fears such as the moon not liking her; her concerns about an impending assignment and other vague ramblings Rachael cannot understand. Finally, Rachael is allowed to move out of the room she shares with Karen as Karen's behavior becomes more erratic and unstable. Rachael becomes increasingly resentful of Karen and how her behavior has negatively impacted on the family. Karen no longer plays with Rachael and the fun they once shared has become a memory. The girls' parents go into counseling and wisely have Rachael be a part of it. The very astute doctor explores with Rachael the problems she is having with Karen and shares some personal insight borne of her own experience with a mentally ill sibling. An excellent book that makes no promises and looks at a devasting condition in a realistic and forthright manner. The drawings are all the more effective; Rachael is drawn in clear, straight lines whereas Karen's face and features appear blurred, a nod to the confusion her illness causes her. A good book for families and an excellent discussion tool about mental illness in the family.