Chickenpox
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
This hilarious and heartwarming contemporary middle-grade graphic novel is about eldest sister Abby, who is sick of being trapped at home with her FOUR younger siblings as they all suffer from the chickenpox—for fans of Guts and Allergic.
All big sister Abby wants is to spend more time with her friends, far away from the sticky fingers and snooping eyes of her annoying brothers and sisters. But when a case of the chickenpox leaves the Lai kids covered in scratchy red spots and stuck at home together for two weeks of nonstop mayhem, Abby thinks this might be the end . . . of her sanity. Yet she feels responsible for the situation since her best friend was Patient Zero and brought chickenpox into their home.
Will the itch to escape her siblings overwhelm Abby or will she realize being a big sister isn’t all bad? Full of heart and hijinks, Chickenpox showcases what gets us through good times and bad: family.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in Indonesia, this semi-autobiographical narrative by Lai (Read at Your Own Risk) follows the creator's eldest sister Abby, who's forced into quarantine with her four younger siblings after they all contract chickenpox. Lai casts her eight-year-old self in a supporting role to 12-year-old Abby (whose dislikes include brain freeze alongside "being a big sister") as Abby confronts developing conflicts with her friends, all while navigating the bodily discomfort of illness and mind-numbing monotony of being stuck at home. The sibling relationships form the core of this bustling narrative, demonstrating the unique blend of affection and exasperation that can accompany growing up with a large family. Expressive cartoon-style illustrations render exaggerated physical comedy to highlight the situation's absurdity, while a bright color palette infuses the sometimes bittersweet character dynamics with an upbeat vibe. Depictions of 1990s communication and entertainment (landlines and VHS tapes) inject nostalgia into this touching and humorous graphic novel interpretation of a chaotic familial experience. A concluding author's note provides historical context surrounding the chickenpox vaccine. Ages 8–12.
