My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier

My Sister Rosa
by Justine Larbalestier

I didn’t know what to expect of this book when I first received a free ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). I assumed it was for young kids, maybe a YA book. After having read it, I’m thinking it could be for an older YA, or maybe just adults in general. There are some sort of explicit scenes where (only when I think of them from a youth’s perspective), discussing a 17 year old’s nocturnal emissions and first sexual encounter. Beyond that, the book is a bit dark. That being said, I definitely think this would appeal to young adults and even (sexual content aside) older teens. Seventeen-year-old Che and his sister, Rosa, and their family, have moved around a lot. His parents (whom he calls by name, or he calls them ‘the parentals’, as they’re sort of hippies who feel that the titles of ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ imply a sort of ownership) often start up new businesses whose aim is always helping the less fortunate. Coming originally from Australia, Che’s family lands in New York City. Che does NOT want to be there; and he’s not only sick of moving around, but he’s also sick of having to look after his ten-year-old sister. It’s not just that Rosa is reckless or that she wanders off or gets into the same kind of trouble a free-spirited child might get into. Rather, Rosa is much more dangerous. She’s actually a psychopath–Che has studied a check-list of characteristics, and Rosa has all but one of them. The problem is, Che’s parents don’t believe him. They know Che never lies, but they just think Rosa is spirited. How can Che protect the NYC (and the world, really) from his dangerous sister and still have a life of his own?

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Apt Pupil, by Stephen King.]

[ official My Sister Rosa web page on the official Justine Larbalestier web site ]

 

Recommended by Tracy T.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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