"Relationships grow and change because people grow and change."

Chickenpox is a delightful read about Abby and her siblings. Set in 1994 Indonesia, we follow Abby as she goes to school, get a glimpse into what life is like with four younger siblings, and start to see some of those friendship pangs that come with growing up. When Abby's younger siblings contract chickenpox and inevitably pass it along to Abby, Abby is forced to stay home for several weeks while the virus works through her body.

I loved this graphic novel. It was so funny in all the right ways while also navigating the challenges of being an older sister to four younger siblings and the challenges that come with growing up and changing friendships. 1994 would have been about the year I got chickenpox myself, so there was a huge sense of nostalgia as I observed the technology available to Abby and her family. I remember having a television in the house that did not have a remote control. I remember CD players and rotary telephones.

The story: I really enjoyed getting to see Abby's life before she caught chickenpox. This helped set the stage for some of the friendship challenges that emerged as the book went on. It also helped the reader visualize what Abby's life was like outside of her house (or as Abby so lovingly called it, jail). Lai included sections that broke down the different stages of chickenpox and what that stage would have been like for the children. I think this is a great way to show today's young people what the journey of this disease was like. This was almost a younger version of a coming of age story and I think that is very appropriate for the age of Abby and her friends. This is exactly the time when friendships start changing and misunderstandings are far more frequent.

The artwork: As I read this book I found that the emotions in my brain were clearly showing on my face. What a rare feat for graphic novels these days. I was giggling at funny lines, absolutely repulsed by the popping of a chickenpox on page, and giddy by how Lai managed to show the emotions of Abby and her siblings in picture form. When Abby was angry, her whole body would change and you could see the anger pouring off her. The teeth! The teeth were constantly changing based off what was happening and how the characters were feeling and I just loved this. It's not something I see frequently in graphic novels and it was a fun touch to really visualize how the characters were feeling. I also loved at the beginning of their chickenpox journey when all of the siblings were tired and feeling like zombies they were shown on page as a zombie or monster. Not just a tired human, but a tired zombie. What a fantastic way to add depth to the images on the page.

Note: There is a line at the beginning of the book that reads "When I was little and still believed in Santa and unicorns, I made a wish." I know this book is being marketed for 8-12 years old but I worry that some 8 year olds may have Santa ruined for them by this line. It definitely gave me pause and I wanted to make sure I mentioned it in my review.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks, and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Chickenpox is based on author Remy Lai’s childhood experiences with her siblings when they were all infected with the disease. Lai has changed the names for privacy and some of the events are out of order, but the book feels authentic in the way that only lived experiences reflect.

Lai’s story is engaging and her characters believable. Readers — especially older siblings — will immediately identify with Abby. And kids who don’t have siblings will be fascinated. Lai’s bright illustrations are expressive and full of movement.

Chickenpox is a fast-moving graphic novel with energy and heart.

Chickenpox had an unique art style and interesting characters. However, the plot was not very interesting and the pacing of the story was off.

This is a lovely story, perfect for those with younger siblings. The artwork is nice, perfectly showcasing the relationship between the oldest child and their younger siblings and how difficult getting along can be at times.

Remy Lai's graphic novels are all very different. This one is a memoir of the time when her family was quarantined at home due to chickenpox in 1995. While the book is written from the perspective of oldest sister Abby, Remi is actually in the middle of the pecking order with two older sisters and two younger brothers.

At the time when the Lai family was afflicted, there were some fascinating cultural icons still around. Like home phones with extensions, renting laser discs and VHS tapes from the video store, and TVs without remotes. I really enjoyed all the clues to what life was like in the 90's in this graphic novel. Lai also includes some facts about the virus with a page for each stage inserted throughout to show the progression.

For older folks like me this book about when chickenpox invades a family is so relatable. I had the virus in the 70's along with my three siblings. When my own kids were little the vaccine was only available for my third child. In fact my oldest son came down with chickenpox the day I brought his youngest brother home from the hospital. Not the greatest timing, but we survived.

It will be interesting to see how kids who are the same age as the Lai kids embrace this new release. I thought it was very well done. Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I recieved a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

It’s hard being a big sister, especially when you’re the oldest of 5 kids. And even harder when everyone has chicken pox! Older siblings everywhere will relate to Abby, who just wants to spend time with her friends. This is also a nostalgic look back at life in an earlier era, one parents will remember but kids won’t, and a nice look at life in Singapore. All told, this is a sweet graphic novel that I think many kids will enjoy, reminiscent of Rania Telegemier.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley!!

Two sentence review:
Remy Lai genuinely is a delight and so are her works; Chickenpox is definitely included. A great dive into a pocket of time where a preteen struggles with family, friends, puberty, and a long forgotten itch fest.

This was a charming children’s story about relationships between Abby and her siblings & friends. While it may be a bit hard for kids today to relate to a time before cell phones and streaming platforms, it’s still a sweet and enjoyable tale. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader's copy.

A story about growing up, friendships, and of course, the distant memory of life with chicken pox. Remy captures the tween drama of younger siblings, the anxiety of tween friendships, and the horror of being quarantined at home with chicken pox. The illustrations are styled well to add to the story as a graphic novel should.

I felt the emotions as I read and while i was only 5 when I had chicken pox, i could still feel that itch reading. I went through so many emotions reading just like the ups and downs of a tween going through the same events would.

A cute middle grade graphic novel about Abby and her siblings all having chickenpox at the same time. While it brought back memories of my own chickenpox in kindergarten, this will be a novelty for my students because of the vaccine. Students may connect it to their experiences during the COVID pandemic though.

This book centers around a family who gets chicken pox. The older sister is already tired of her siblings and is upset that she now has to quarantine with them. Meanwhile, she is navigating her friendships who have determined she is too immature. A great story for upper elementary and middle school students.

Chickenpox by Remy Lai is a delightful and relatable middle-grade graphic novel that captures the essence of growing up with siblings. Abby, the eldest in a family of five, is stuck at home with her four younger siblings as they all suffer through chickenpox. While this may sound like a typical “sick day” story, it’s so much more as it explores the dynamic of sibling relationships, growing pains, and the challenges of preteen life.

Abby’s role as the responsible older sister is both amusing and insightful, and readers of all ages will connect with the ups and downs of being in charge while still figuring out their own identity. On top of managing her siblings, Abby navigates her friendships and a potential first crush, all while dealing with the itchy chaos of chickenpox. It’s a perfect mix of humor and heart.

What I loved most about Chickenpox is how it balances the universal experiences of family, friendship, and self-discovery without feeling heavy-handed. The cultural representation adds an extra layer of depth, offering readers a perspective that is both familiar and refreshing.

This book is sure to be a hit with middle-grade readers and anyone who can relate to the sometimes messy but always meaningful role of being a big sibling. I’ll definitely be recommending it.

super cute look into life with multiple siblings. great for only kids wanting a window into another type of family, or a family with many members needing some solidarity. a little dated (since chickenpox isn't as prevalent anymore) but still a great look into family dynamics and how sicknesses can bond you in big ways! would def recommend to middle schoolers

This was a good read. I love tween/youth graphic novels, and this one was super relatable for so many reasons. The main protagonist is not only balancing potential puberty and school pressures, but has to navigate social situation with friends and at home with 4 siblings. Being the oldest is never easy, but throw into the pot a family chicken pox party and we have the recipe for this excellent story. It is a self-contained book and each character is unique and relatable in a way, and the story gives you enough to want more but also to be satisfied with what we were given. I also appreciate the sidenotes that explained the culture (like seatbelt laws in that country) and time period (I remember the 90s, but anyone reading the book who is the age of the characters definitely missed that era) and it was nostalgic to see the 90s memorabilia and fashions. Remy Lai is a great storyteller (shoutout to Pie in the Sky!) and this talent transitioned fantastically to graphic novels!

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Remy Lai, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a cute read! This book was about more than just chickenpox, it was about the complicated relationships one has with friends and siblings. I loved seeing the main character’s perspective change within the few days of her having the chicken pox. I would recommend this book to all middle grade readers at my library.

As an oldest sister myself, I really connected with Amy's feelings towards her siblings and the frustrations involved in needing to be the "responsible one.” I grew up just as kids were starting to no longer get chickenpox, and I enjoyed the way the educational/informational components of the text taught about chickenpox without detracting from the overall story, In addition to navigating her role as the oldest siblings Amy is also navigating her middle school friendships. She has a lot to figure out with her closest girlfriends who have never seen the "sister" side of her before. She also has a good friendship with a boy (gasp!) and needs to figure out how these friendships should look.
Despite seemingly little happening, chickenpox is a lovely snapshot of a moment in time full of tween angst and the love-hate-love dynamics of siblings. I’ll definitely be adding this to my classroom library once it’s out. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Abby, the oldest of FIVE kids, gets blamed for everything her younger siblings do and, quite frankly, she is SICK of it. That is until they all actually do get sick with the chickenpox. Will Abby be able to survive being trapped at home for more than a week while they are all in quarantine or will she lose her mind? As the oldest of four who was a teenager at roughly the same time this takes place, I can say that this story feels deeply authentic. It is that beautiful mix of painfully funny, deeply embarrassing, righteously frustrating, and heartwarmingly full of love.

Abby is the oldest in a family of five kids. She loves school and hanging out with her friends, anything not to be at home with her younger siblings. Abby is trying to navigate being a middle schooler and being more mature, but she easily gets pulled back to acting like a little kid, bickering with her sisters and brothers. Then, the worst happens - the chickenpox! Now, they are sick and all stuck together. A very relatable story for anyone with with siblings, and who experienced trying to become an individual beyond your family.

I received an ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via NetGalley. I am continuously impressed by Remy Lai’s easy to read middle grade graphic novels. As someone who didn’t have siblings it was fun to get a sense of what it is like to be the oldest of many siblings. The chickenpox was not easy when I was young and though it isn’t a concern today, it was interesting to see a depiction it. The banter and gossip between tween girls seemed very realistic. Even though the book was set in Indonesia it feels like it could have happened anywhere, though I wished I learned more about the culture.

Kids are going to love this book! While kids these days don't have the experience of being trapped at home with chickenpox, they do know what it's like to be trapped at home with COVID. I think they will relate strongly to this book and be entertained while reading it!