Sisters

What is Amara’s major flaw, and how does it affect her relationship with the other members of her family? How does Raina react to Amara growing up, and why? How does Amara react to Raina in comparison?

How does Raina Telgemeier make it evident that her story takes place in the early 1990s? Why are the experiences of Raina and her family still relatable today?

In what ways are Raina and Amara similar, and in what ways are they polar opposites? How do these similarities and differences each cause conflict between the two sisters, and how do they slowly learn to overcome this divide?

How do the children respond to the tension between Mom and Dad throughout the novel? What clues are laid out to illustrate the problems they are having in their relationship? Reference specific panels of illustration and cite the text in your analysis.

Throughout the road trip and in her past memories, Raina is constantly faced with the unexpected or forced to confront her fears. How do these experiences of the unexpected shape Raina as a person and the choices she makes? How do the unexpected and fearful events demonstrate Raina’s status within the family?

Why does Raina feel divided between her connection to her childhood and her desire to mature? How does this play out on the road trip? How do her family members contribute to these feelings?

What evidence is there that the story and its characters are portrayed through Raina’s biased perspective? How might the story have been told differently if Amara had been the one to tell it?

How does Raina Telgemeier’s artistic style emphasize mood, atmosphere, and the inner experiences of the characters? In what ways does the coloring by Braden Lamb add to the narrative? Compare a flashback and a present moment within the text, focusing on what each scene is trying to convey.