Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

After her brother and kicking partner, John, dies, Becky quits soccer. She first experiences sadness and anger, then, months later, has fun at a party. Becky feels guilty until her mom reminds her that John would have wanted her to laugh. The bibliotherapeutic story showcases a highly idealized brother-sister relationship. Nevertheless, the text and watercolor illustrations' portrayal of the grieving process rings true.

Kirkus Reviews

"My brother John and I were best buddies," Becky tells readers. They played soccer and took care of their dog together. John always worked to josh Becky out of her bad moods. "But that was all before—before John died." Reagan, who writes from experience, having lost her own son, zeroes in on Becky's grieving process, leaving the specifics of the circumstances of John's death unmentioned and not even alluding to her parents' sadness. This will likely frustrate children who want a story, but it makes this book especially apt for use with children going through their own losses. Becky's very believable emergence from despair, complete with concomitant anxiety—"I forgot to miss John"—will serve as a model for grieving children. Pollema-Cahill's bland watercolors depict a blondly Caucasian family in suburban Anywhere, America, a visual choice that does little to add spice and specificity to the narrative and may have the unintended consequence of alienating urban, ethnic children with similar struggles. On the whole, though, as comforting as a book about the death of a sibling can be. (Picture book. 5-9)

School Library Journal (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Gr 2-5 Becky narrates this story about her brother's death and its effects on her and her family. She and John were "best buddies," and when he dies, she is devastated and gives up many of the things she loved doing. Finally, as she begins to adjust to her life without him, she realizes that her brother would want her to be happy in spite of his absence. The story is poignant and touching, realistic and straightforward. This is a good book to recommend to families struggling with the death of a relative or friend. While the body proportions are not always exactly right in the realistic watercolors, the facial expressions are rendered with care and precision. Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD