A review by brookerhi
Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems by Kristine O'Connell George
3.0
Emma Dilemma is one of those books of poetry that reminds you of what it is like to be a big sister … even if you never were one. The work features 34 chronologically-arranged poems detailing the relationship of Jessica and her little sister, Emma. From embarrassment at soccer games and the grocery store, to bedroom destruction and invasion, to bonding over tragedy, this touching book of poems contains a little bit of everything, encapsulating the special relationship that only happens between sisters.
From the moment you read the first poem in the book, “Soccer Game,” you are thrown in older sister Jessica’s shoes. The tension mounts as the poem continues – we go from learning that not only are Jessica’s friends laughing at her, but that they are laughing at her because a little kid who is outrageously dressed is yelling Jessica’s name from the bleachers. The author inserts wit and sarcasm so effectively at the end of the poem, as she does throughout the book, when Jessica states that she has never seen that kid ever before in her entire life. What continues is a series of poems about all the little moments that Jessica and Emma share – some embarrassing, some infuriating, some funny, some touching, some tender, some sad – all of which author, George captures so perfectly. The book carries a theme of big sister exasperation with a layer of admiration and love concealed underneath. Even when Emma is at her most frustrating, on the next page she demonstrates just how lovable she can be. The author handles Jessica’s emotions towards her sister expertly – her poems would be totally relatable to any child with siblings.
The author uses free verse in her poems, which works effectively to communicate the poems as Jessica’s thoughts and emotions. To emphasize certain feelings, the author places verses on lines of their own to give them prominence and punch. The illustrations are expertly done capturing the emotions and actions of the girls with exquisite detail, adding to the subject and mood of the poems. This high-quality book of poetry is an essential purchase for all libraries, as it captures sisterly relationships so true-to-life.
From the moment you read the first poem in the book, “Soccer Game,” you are thrown in older sister Jessica’s shoes. The tension mounts as the poem continues – we go from learning that not only are Jessica’s friends laughing at her, but that they are laughing at her because a little kid who is outrageously dressed is yelling Jessica’s name from the bleachers. The author inserts wit and sarcasm so effectively at the end of the poem, as she does throughout the book, when Jessica states that she has never seen that kid ever before in her entire life. What continues is a series of poems about all the little moments that Jessica and Emma share – some embarrassing, some infuriating, some funny, some touching, some tender, some sad – all of which author, George captures so perfectly. The book carries a theme of big sister exasperation with a layer of admiration and love concealed underneath. Even when Emma is at her most frustrating, on the next page she demonstrates just how lovable she can be. The author handles Jessica’s emotions towards her sister expertly – her poems would be totally relatable to any child with siblings.
The author uses free verse in her poems, which works effectively to communicate the poems as Jessica’s thoughts and emotions. To emphasize certain feelings, the author places verses on lines of their own to give them prominence and punch. The illustrations are expertly done capturing the emotions and actions of the girls with exquisite detail, adding to the subject and mood of the poems. This high-quality book of poetry is an essential purchase for all libraries, as it captures sisterly relationships so true-to-life.