My Sister’s Girlfriend

Published: October 2022 by Rebel Mountain Press.
ISBN: 978-1989996119

Fifth grader Talia Cohen-Sullivan isn't sure how she feels about boys, crushes, and the love thing, even though her best friend, Carmen, is already dreaming about kissing—and it's only September. Losing her mom to cancer a few years ago made Talia afraid of change, though she still has her big sister, Jade, to help her through hard times. But when she sees Jade kissing a girl, Talia is suddenly thrust into a world she doesn't understand and faces important decisions. With the help of her therapist, Carmen, and Jade herself, Talia learns that love has many faces; love might even be something she's interested in soon . . . for herself.

Reach out to the author for purchase information.

My Sister’s Girlfriend was chosen by the CBC as one of the top Canadian middle grade books to watch for in fall 2022.

My Sister’s Girlfriend made the list of the Canadian School Libraries Journal issue spring 2023 vol. 8 No. 2, "11 Books to Add to Your Classroom If You're Infuriated by Book Bans.”

  • “A heartwarming story to help children understand the coming out process of those they love. My Sister's Girlfriend is as much a story about a family coming out, as it is about a young girl opening up and learning to share a beloved family member with others.”

    LS Stone, author of What's in it for ME?

  • “A thoughtful story about sibling love, family bonds, and the rippling, sometimes unexpected implications of bias and oppression. I love that they show Talia's immediate family and friends being nothing but supportive of the queer people they know. Bias may cast a long shadow, but the model of how Talia works through her fears within a circle of support, and how the relationship between her and her sister is ultimately strengthened, should be welcomed by readers and their grown-ups.”

    The Mombian Database of LGBTQ Family Books

  • “I would recommend My Sister’s Girlfriend for any library with middle grade books, including Jewish libraries. I particularly appreciate the natural way that homophobia, and how to respond to it, are handled. The book captures the nuances of tween thoughts, feelings, and actions in a realistic way and models how families can support each other. The black and white illustrations by co-author Lucie Gagnon are understood to be drawings by the main character, Talia, who likes to draw. They are at the head of each chapter and reflect the content of the chapter. These small, understated drawings work well with the quiet, gentle tone of the book.”

    Sydney Taylor Shmooze Book Reviews

  • “Talia is a likeable character who has lost her mother and is very close to her sister, Jade. When she discovers that her sister has a girlfriend, she struggles with acceptance of this new relationship. This well-written book is a positive introduction for readers who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community. Acceptance is the key theme - not just of others but ourselves."

    Chantal Hughes, author in Breaking Boundaries: LGBTQ2 Writers Coming Out and Into Canada

  • “Gail Marlene Schwartz and Lucie Gagnon's novel creates a heartwarming introduction to allyship for middle-grade readers. This story is geared towards readers who are new to the LGBTQ2+ rainbow. They will find this especially poignant because it tackles some of the misunderstandings that often surface around these types of relationships for those who have not been exposed to them before, such as homophobia…a wonderful model for middle-grade readers who are often presented with protagonists who must figure it out for themselves because of absent adults. Schwartz and Gagnon create a welcoming novel for all readers who are looking to better navigate relationships and changes that they may be experiencing through this charming story.”

    The Free Library

  • A heartwarming story to help children understand the coming out process of those they love.

    LS Stone, author of What's in it for ME?

  • “A thoughtful story about sibling love, family bonds, and the rippling, sometimes unexpected implications of bias and oppression.”

    The Mombian Database of LGBTQ Family Books

  • “The book captures the nuances of tween thoughts, feelings, and actions in a realistic way and models how families can support each other. ”

    Sydney Taylor Shmooze Book Reviews

  • “…a wonderful model for middle-grade readers who are often presented with protagonists who must figure it out for themselves because of absent adults.”

    The Free Library