Author: Judith Viorst

Publication Information: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1969

Intended Audience: K-3rd grade (LG - BL: 2.9)

Important Themes/Connection: Sibling rivalry, problem-solving

Potential Concerns: N/A

Summary: This story is about a younger brother who imagines his future where he will “fix” his older brother, who treats him poorly. The brother comes up with witty plans he will execute when he is older to put his brother in his place. The narration highlights the feelings of joy and frustration that come with having an uneven sibling dynamic. The illustrations and tone portray the feelings and imagination from the view of childhood. 

Author: Jane O’Connor

Publication Information: HarperCollins (October 12, 2010)

Audience Age: 3-7 years old

Themes: Being kind to your sibling

Major Concerns: none

Summary: It is Jojo’s birthday, and Fancy Nacy gets her an eyepatch for her pirate-themed birthday. She then goes to her favorite boutique and sees a fan she wants but doesn’t have the money for it. She decides to open up her own boutique in order to raise money for the fan. When a customer comes to buy one of Nancy’s necklaces, her sister says she wants it instead. After selling it, her little sister hopes to get the necklace for her birthday. In the end, Nancy will learn that it is better to do things to make others happy than to do things for yourself.

Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain

Publication information: Random House Books for Young Readers, 1982

Intended audience: K-3 (LG, BL: 3.7)

Important themes/connection: Kindness, siblings, resolution

Potential concerns: Fights 

Summary: When Brother and Sister Bear argue, Mama and Papa Bear must step in. Brother and Sister Bear must learn what is important and resolve the argument. They are reminded that their relationship and love are much more important than arguing about something small. They are also reminded of friendship and kindness. 

Author: Beverly Cleary

Publication information: Harper Collins (March 17, 2020)

Audience Age: 4-9 years

Themes: living with an annoying little sister

Major Concerns: none

Summary: Having a sister like Ramona can be difficult for Beezus, especially with her wild imagination, disorder, and chaos. Ramona makes it hard for Beezus to be the responsible older sister and even threatens to ruin Beezus’s birthday party. Beezus will have to learn to find patience with her little sister, and the girls will need to learn how to get along.

Author: James J. Christ, P.H.D., and Elizabeth Verdick

Publication information: Free Spirit Publishing; First Edition (January 15, 2010)

Audience Age: 8-11

Themes: How to get along with your sibling

Major Concerns: none

Summary: This book helps turn sibling rivalries into positive sibling relationships with this fun, humorous pocket guide for kids. Siblings will learn how to get along and hopefully even become friends. Kids know that sibling relationships can be hard when problems of fairness, jealousy, conflict, tattling, privacy, and other things come up. This book will also help walk kids through some other special topics, like siblings with special needs, adoptions, step-siblings, and more.

Author: Ann M. Martin

Publication information: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2020

Intended audience: 4-8  grade (MG, BL: 3.8)

Important themes/connection: Siblings 

Potential concerns: Name-calling 

Summary: When two sisters must watch over their Mimi after a stroke, they must learn how to get along. This wasn’t the plan for the summer, and the girls were unhappy about being together.  While one sister is normal, the other is smart and mean to everyone. With Mimi’s health on the line, the girls must learn how to set their differences aside and figure out what is important

Author: Alison Mcghee

Publication information: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2019

Intended audience: 4-8 grade (MG, BL: 3.6)

Important themes/Connection: Coming of age, siblings 

Potential concerns: N/A

Summary: This story is about letters written by an older brother to a young sister to tell her how annoying she is. After thinking about it, he realizes how much he will miss his sister as he is leaving for college soon. He comes to the realization that he does love her even when she is annoying. 

Author: Judy Blume

Publication information: Puffin Books (April 5, 2007)

Audience Age: 8-9 years

Themes: How to deal with annoying younger siblings

Major Concerns: none

Summary: Peter and his little brother Fudge share a tight bedroom in their family's apartment in New York. The Grown-ups think Fudge is absolutely adorable, but Peter and his pet turtle, Dribble, know how crazy he actually is. Crazy stuff goes down when Fudge loses his two front teeth and eats Dribble, and Peter must learn how to be a good big brother while having this crazy monster of a little brother.