Parents' Guide to

The Year My Sister Got Lucky

By Stephanie Dunnewind, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

A standard plot strengthened by sisterly bonds.

Book Aimee Friedman Family Life 2008
The Year My Sister Got Lucky Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Christina V.
Christina V. Adult
February 6, 2018
age 13+

Christina's February Book Review

"I could never believe my sister Michaela Wilder would be sitting at the cool table." "The Year My Sister Got Lucky" is about a girl named Katya, but she prefers to be called Katie. Her sister as you can see has become popular and started doing the craziest things like in the text it stated, "Hey, is that Michaela kissing?" Lets call him "The GUY"since I don't want to spoil the book. Katie on the other hand is jealous of Michaela. Katie did not like the fact that Michaela became popular and she did not. Katie especially did not like to keep Michaelas secrets which you will need to read the book to find out what they are. Have you ever heard the saying "Never judge a book by it's cover?" Well, it's not always necessarily true. This book is actually all about the books cover. It was titled "The Year My Sister Got Lucky" and Michaela was the sister who got lucky. I really recommend this book to people who love mysteries. One of the mysteries in this book was "the guy". Who was this mystery guy? You will need to read the book to find out. I rate this book a ten out of ten because I love mysteries!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
loveme4me
loveme4me Parent of 14-year-old
April 10, 2011
age 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 !!!

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 3 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (8):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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.

Book Details

  • Author: Aimee Friedman
  • Genre: Family Life
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Point
  • Publication date: January 25, 2008
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 14
  • Number of pages: 370
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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