Siblings? We don’t need no stinkin’ siblings (Family in YA Lit)
Filed under: Family relationships, Siblings, YA Lit
About Karen Jensen, MLS
Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).
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molly @ wrapped up in books says
I was catching bits and pieces of this on Twitter and wanted to jump in but was busy. I'm glad you wrote up this recap! Thanks for including the list of titles–I've been meaning to do an RA list like this for the library, and this will help!
Jana says
Middle grade does a way better job. All of the examples I could think of were middle grade! I did catch the snippet where it was discussed that supernatural/paranormal themed books tend to have less family involvement, which I agree with. I appreciate those books that send their characters to boarding school because then there is a reason for the lack of parents!
Melissa Buell says
Very interesting post! I came from a family of 3, which expanded to include a stepbrother, and then a half-sister. 4 teens and a toddler under one roof! And I don't see any books like that. 😉 It's good to keep in mind that there are other family structures out there.
Jennifer R. Hubbard says
I mentioned Forbidden because you asked about books with multiple siblings. People might think it odd on a “healthy-relationship” list. The kids in the book experience serious neglect, and there is sibling conflict as well as siblings who grow too close, but some of the sibling relationships really are supportive. So, there's a rather extreme spectrum of sibling relationships depicted there.
Katie says
I truly never thought about this before this post. Now that I think about it, even when I read a book with multiple siblings, most of the time they are either absent or have a bad relationship. My Life Next Door is on your list and it definitely does fit the healthy relationship criteria and I loved the family aspect of it. I'll have to check out more of the books on the list above. Great post!
jenniferannmann.JAM says
Loved this post. The family statistics were so interesting. I have a MG series coming out with Bloomsbury this fall about two sisters. Growing up myself with way too many sisters, I know that every healthy sibling relationship has both good and bad to it. But it's the bad that usually makes a good story. (And that speck of good that makes a great story.)
vsreads.com says
I still think the relationship between Katherine and her younger sister in Judy Blume's Forever was super sweet. It's upper YA, but Katherine doesn't talk down to Jamie or bully her, despite the age difference.
Having three younger sisters, and four sons I really respect the sibling dynamic. It's long troubled me-the only child, absent parent, dynamic of so many YA books. I get that the teens are supposed to 'figure it out' but really, it only reinforces the prima donna, I don't need anybody, gene expression of teens–and who needs more of that lousy attitude…
The Godfather says
The Mortal Instruments is a healthy sibling relationship??? I thought it included, you know, the girl stabbing her brother ?….
Marielle Warren says
Any MG or YA books to help an older child of divorced parents think/feel through a new baby that is living at the other house (long distance)?