Book Details
Written by
Genre
More details
See more book reviews

The Year My Sister Got Lucky (by Aimee Friedman)

common sense media says

A standard plot strengthened by sisterly bonds.

parents & educators say
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book features a rather old-fashioned plot, with teen sex serving as a "shocking" secret; smoking is portrayed as a rebellious act. Despite the suggestive title, the sex is pretty tame; Nothing is explicit, they're in a committed relationship, and they use birth control.

Positive messages: Some of the ballet dancers are so thin that when they walk by, mothers whisper, "eating disorder." A teacher makes inappropriate comments to students. Katie's parents keep secrets from her, and Michaela lies to her parents. Katie snoops through her sister's IM log.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Michaela (17) has sex with her boyfriend using birth control -- not explicitly described. A friend sends her an email: "Congratulations on no longer being a virgin." Katie asks how sex feels and Michaela says, "Kind of weird and scary at first, but then better. It can be special, if you make good decisions." She also offers to educate Katie about condoms: "If I'm not going to give it to you straight, who will?"
Language: Very mild: "pissed off," "bitch."
Consumerism: Many mentions of brand names in fashion, food, perfume, stores, coffee and drink shops, Web sites, electronics, and magazines.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Michaela jokes about spiking hot chocolate with whiskey; before she realizes her sister is kidding, Katie is thrilled by the forbidden but worried about their parents finding out. Michaela starts smoking cigarettes because her friends do; this is presented as rebellious because dancers shouldn't smoke. Their ballet instructor smokes and says "but I'm old."
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Year My Sister Got Lucky

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Katie and Michaela's family keeps so many secrets. Katie's parents withhold important information from her, supposedly so she won't get upset. How do all these lies and secrets affect their relationships? Families can also discuss how and why a passion (such as Michaela's dancing, or other sports or hobbies) can stop being fun, and what parents can do to help teens feel less pressured.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Katie, 14, and her 17-year-old sister Michaela thrive in the fast pace of New York City, where they attend a prestigious ballet school. Then their mom's new job requires a sudden move to a rural town. This leaves fashion-plate Katie warily facing a dragonfly (she attempts to annihilate it with bug spray), a deer in her front yard, and a cute boy in her homeroom class. Michaela, in contrast, embraces their new surroundings, befriending the popular crowd and dating the school's hot quarterback. Katie, accustomed to sharing everything with her big sis, feels left out and homesick -- especially when she discovers Michaela is hiding some major secrets.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Readers who prefer the mall to a park may find Katie's small-town travails humorous (she is horrified by the very idea of camping) but for many, her whining will grow tedious. Indeed, a friend tells her, "Your princess act does get a little old after a while." (In a genuine moment, Katie spits back, "It's not an act. This is how I am . . . I don't wear flannel.")

When Katie (the first-person narrator) stops complaining long enough to actually do something, the book zips along more pleasantly. The plot is standard-issue (a teen asserts her independence, a fish out of water realizes her new home isn't so bad after all, a little sister discovers the big sister she worships isn't perfect), but the sisterly bond is appealing. Michaela offers advice and big-sister sighs as she strives to create her own life, setting boundaries for both her nosy sister and their controlling mother.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Aimee Friedman
Publisher: Point
Publication date: January 25, 2008
Number of pages: 370
Hardcover price: $16.99
This review was written by Stephanie Dunnewind
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Year My Sister Got Lucky

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

xchocolate3
teen, 16 years old
11
 
Perfect for 11 or more years old.
I loved this book!!! :D
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (8)
loveme4me
parent of 14 year old
14
 
Hate It
This book isnt appropriate for a 14 year old more like 17/18 + kids should not be reading about sex and drugs !!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
KatherineLovesJake
teen, 14 years old
10
 
GREAT book
love it! sex isnt anything anyone older than 10 or 11 doesnt know about! when i was 10, i was mildly curious about the subject,and because my parents didnt want to talk about it, i turned to books. and now, at age 13, im not a virgin, and im very grateful to all the books i read about it in. these kind of books really help ppl understand that sex isnt bad, it just isnt wise to do while youre young. and she used a condom and was on birth control,and shes 17,so she made smart descisions. great role models, great book. - Katherine
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (7)
Stephanne114
teen, 18 years old
13
 
I think its good for teens and older. No less though.
It was good, but it should have been a little more interesting, it was interesting just not enough for me to constantly keep turning the pages everyday.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (2)
OGORMAN
teen, 16 years old
12
 
Good for girls with sisters just a few years younger than themselves.
Michaela has sex with her boyfriend, and Katie later finds out after reading her sister's email. Their are very mild uses of cussing, but otherwise fine. An older women and some teens smoke cigarettes almost constantly. The strength of the sisters' bond is tested by many different things that happen in the book.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
purplechick
adult
13
 
life lessons
I like it because it gives kids a life lesson its a little iffy
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
smcgurren
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Favorite Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this book so much, it is my favorite book of all time!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
rayg
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Sister LOVE
Great overall story and its really relatble if you have sisters. Helped me relise what a good relationshp i had with my sister. Also is fun and exiting and gines anather great point of view. You should really read it if havnt alredy.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide | had useful details | read my mind

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you read The Year My Sister Got Lucky?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more books
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines