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My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece

4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 · rating details · 2,242 ratings · 488 reviews

Ten-year-old Jamie Matthews has just moved to the Lake District with his Dad and his teenage sister, Jasmine for a 'Fresh New Start'. Five years ago his sister's twin, Rose, was blown up by a terrorist bomb. His parents are wrecked by their grief, Jasmine turns to piercing, pink hair and stops eating. The family falls apart. But Jamie hasn't cried in all that time. To him...more

Hardcover, 226 pages

Published March 1st 2011 by Orion Children's Books (first published 2011)

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Aug 16, 2012 Maggie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, dawson-leery-cried, debut-novels

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece takes place five years after bombs went off in London killing 62 people. The story follows the aftermath of the family of the youngest victim, Rose, from the perspective of her now 10-year-old brother, Jamie. Jamie's parents, unable to deal with the blame and guilt they place on one another, have finally split up. Jamie and Jas, Rose's twin, move with their father out into the country. One benefit, according to their father, is to get away from Muslims. After a...more My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece takes place five years after bombs went off in London killing 62 people. The story follows the aftermath of the family of the youngest victim, Rose, from the perspective of her now 10-year-old brother, Jamie. Jamie's parents, unable to deal with the blame and guilt they place on one another, have finally split up. Jamie and Jas, Rose's twin, move with their father out into the country. One benefit, according to their father, is to get away from Muslims. After all, Muslims killed his daughter. Another benefit is the job waiting for him, something he couldn't find in London what with all the foreigners stealing jobs. Never mind the bottle of vodka he empties everyday. Jamie goes to his new school, where he's picked on and told to "go back to London." The only person who smiles at him is Sunya, the girl wearing a hijab. But Muslims killed his sister and he's supposed to honor his father, who hates Muslims, isn't he?

A middle grade book dealing with terrorism and death? Needless to say, I had my doubts. However, Annabel Pitcher confronts issues like hate, loyalty, and loss in such a straightforward way that its simplicity belies its depth. Even more impressive, she confronts the pressure to grieve.

Jamie grieves the loss of his family and his parents' marriage, but he doesn't cry over the sister he barely remembers. How can he? He was 5 years old when she died. His parents and various therapists, though, tell him it just hasn't hit him yet. His mother once made him change a school essay on a special person from a soccer player to Rose, and the story she made him use resulted in his being teased mercilessly by the other students. Poor kid. Over 20 years later and parents still don't understand. As much as I hated Jamie's parents, I loved this storyline because I wonder how many kids who've prematurely lost parents and siblings and relatives are acting how they THINK they should instead of how they actually feel. And I wonder how many kids know that it's okay to feel... nothing. Or close to nothing. How do you mourn someone you barely know or remember? I always hear kids being told that it's okay to cry, it's okay to cry, but it's also okay not to cry.

Jamie also struggles to reconcile his father's view of evil, murderous Muslims with the bright, sunny girl who keeps extending her hand to him. Sunya, seeing Jamie's fascination with superheroes and Spiderman, claims that she's a superhero too. She proudly points to her hijab as part of her superhero costume. I loved Sunya. She's bold and fierce, loyal and kind. She doesn't shy away from her identity, even as the kids call her Curry Breath and other names.

While Jamie and Sunya's relationship is born of struggle, Jamie's relationship with his sister Jas is based purely on love. This is the relationship that made me cry. Jas is just a kid herself and she's lost her twin, but she refuses to let Jamie be hurt. She tries to do the job of two parents as best as her 15-year-old self can. Older sisters, be sure to drain the battery on your phone beforehand so you don't end up calling your mortified younger brothers.

It's sad to say that a book like this is timely and necessary, especially for a younger audience, but it is. It's also hopeful and surprising. A very strong debut by first time author Annabel Pitcher.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher.

This review appears on Young Adult Anonymous.(less)

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Aug 07, 2011 Stephanie (Stepping out of the Page) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, young-adult, realistic-fiction, read-in-2011, title-appeal, let-down, contemporary

A really easy, quick and enjoyable read. The title of this book is what attracted me to it - It sounds really intriguing and it gave me high expectations. The premise of the book was fantastic. The book actually deals with quite a few issues (racism, alcohol abuse, grief, family break-ups) through they weren't all so obvious. I found it a little difficult to get into the childish nature of the writing (The narrator is 10 year old Jamie), but after I got more used to it, I found it quite charming...more

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Feb 28, 2013 A.E. Curzon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ten year old Jamie, the narrator of this book, takes us through his day to day life in a simplistic and sometimes heart-breaking manner. Following the tragic death of his sister Rose, killed by a terrorist bomb in London, Jamie’s life, and that of his older sister, Jas – twin of the dead Rose- takes a very sad road. Rose’s death has a tremendous effect on all the family, and both parents deal with their anguish in their own way. Jamie’s father turns to drink, whilst his mother turns to another m...more Ten year old Jamie, the narrator of this book, takes us through his day to day life in a simplistic and sometimes heart-breaking manner. Following the tragic death of his sister Rose, killed by a terrorist bomb in London, Jamie’s life, and that of his older sister, Jas – twin of the dead Rose- takes a very sad road. Rose’s death has a tremendous effect on all the family, and both parents deal with their anguish in their own way. Jamie’s father turns to drink, whilst his mother turns to another man, and abandons both her surviving children. Alone with the children, and in the hope of starting a new life, Jamie’s father moves them all away from London, but is unable to let go of Rose. Five years have passed since her death and she still remains on the mantelpiece, even after the move. Though neither Jas nor Jamie judge their father for his drinking habits and lack of parental care, both are deeply affected by it. As the story unfolds Jamie does not grieve the way his parents and sister do – after all, he barely remembers his dead sister. He only remembers her permanently placed on the mantelpiece. And all Jamie longs for, so desperately, is a return to normality, with his father and mother reunited and some care and attention doled out to himself and his living sister.
This very sensitive story is told beautifully and in a most original way. The writing is flawless and the characters, right down to Jamie’s cat, leap off the page. There are various issues which arise, such as racism, death, friendship, school bullying, family values and separation - all of which author Annabel Pitcher has dealt with in a refreshingly honest manner. I have to admit it does play havoc with one’s emotions towards the end though, and I had a real problem continuing because of the exceptionally large lump in my throat. When I did reach the end, I sat back quietly and thought what a wonderful book.
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece appears to be aimed at children of 12 years and up, but I have absolutely no doubt many adults will enjoy this too. I certainly did, and would have no hesitation in recommending it to all ages.
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Aug 10, 2012 Nafiza rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, books-for-review, 2012, favourites, recommend-to-friends

I’ve been sitting here for a bit trying to collect my thoughts enough that I can write the kind of coherent review this book deserves. There are so many things I want to speak about and discuss but at the same time, I wonder if it wouldn’t be more appropriate to just ask you to please read this book. It might be the best one you read this year.

The novel has the same poignant flavor as Tabitha Suzuma’s Forbidden. The same sort of intricate family politics and themes of self-discovery and friendsh...more I’ve been sitting here for a bit trying to collect my thoughts enough that I can write the kind of coherent review this book deserves. There are so many things I want to speak about and discuss but at the same time, I wonder if it wouldn’t be more appropriate to just ask you to please read this book. It might be the best one you read this year.

The novel has the same poignant flavor as Tabitha Suzuma’s Forbidden. The same sort of intricate family politics and themes of self-discovery and friendship but I am getting ahead of myself. Maybe the synopsis (or perhaps the title) tipped you off but the book deals with the way a family copes after one of its members is killed in the horrible terrorist attack in London when bombs went off in trash cans in the city.

The narrator of the story is a ten year old boy and if you think the complexity is compromised by the young age of the narrator and protagonist, please think again. The best thing about using such young mediums to tell a grown up story is that there are so many chances of saying the profoundest of things in the simplest of ways. You know the saying…”from the mouths of babes…?” Yeah. Jamie’s portrayal of his life, of his longing for his mother, of his inability to steer through the shark infested waters that is elementary school rife with bullies and biased teachers is so on the point that you cannot help but be drawn immediately into the story. His voice is fresh, wondering and perhaps, a little intentionally, cheeky. His observations are pertinent and at times may, again unintentionally, make you snort out with laughter. His relationships with his parents and his remaining sister are also shown in a beautiful manner.

I am Muslim and often times I have felt uncomfortable reading books that deal with Muslim terrorists simply because I feel that all Muslims are tarred with the same brush whether we deserve it or not. That is why I appreciate the exquisite way in which Pitcher handles the whole issue. I love how she doesn’t demonize or canonize any character. Even those you would happily cast in a black hue are given gray shades and juxtaposed in interesting ways that end up showing their humanity. Sunya and Jamie’s relationship is also one of the strong points in a book that really had nothing but strong points. And I loved the delicate way in which Pitcher made her point about racism and blind hatred.

There is also a cat in this novel and though it does not talk, it has as much presence (if not more) than a person. You have to admire authors who can make you react that way to an animal that is presented throughout the whole novel through someone else’s eyes.

The manner in which Jamie’s family deals with death, the journey to, if not absolution then, acceptance of circumstances. There is as much a warning in here as there is hope. The writing is beautiful and Pitcher again utilizes Jamie’s age to write the most beautiful descriptions in the simplest of ways. Here’s an example:

The leaves in the puddle look like dead goldfish. And all the green as turned brown and purple, as if the hills have got bruises. I like the world this way. Summer’s a bit too bright for me. A bit too happy. Flowers dancing and birds singing like nature’s having a big party. Autumn’s better. Everything’s a bit more droopy and you don’t feel left out of all the fun.

In conclusion, I reiterate: Read this book. You will not regret it. (You might cry though.)(less)

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Oct 08, 2011 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was almost finished writing a review for this when I pressed a button that made it all disappear. SO now I'm mad.

So now I'm writing a simplified version.

This book snuck up on me. I didn't know if I'd like this book because it's told from a ten-year-old boy's perspective. But at the end, I was emotional and trying not to cry(I did succeed but it was tough for me).

The last quarter of the book was written so well and was HEARTBREAKING. Something happened that ripped my heart out and made Jamie(th...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Lynda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, 2013, author-uk

Wow! I laughed, I cried (dammit!). What a wonderful book. I can not believe it is a debut novel. The writing is fantastic.

The book is narrated by Jamie, a 10 year old, and the narration feels very "real", like he is simply sitting across from you telling you his story, with such innocence. And his story deals with some heavy topics; terrorism, racism, alcoholism, bullying and the deterioration of the family unit.

This is an author worth following. I'm hooked. Next book please!

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Apr 11, 2013 Ilaria Tomasini rated it 5 of 5 stars

Beautiful novel.
Jamie's sister, Rose died five years ago, killed by a terrorist's bomb. Now her ashes are in a urn on the mantelpiece and Jamie lives with his sister Jasmine, Rose's twin and his father who still can't accept his daughter's death and drinks too much.
Jamie's mother went away with her lover and Jamie, Jasmine, their cat Roger and their dad went to live in another town.
Jamie makes friends with Sunya, a girl in his school, but there's a big problem: Sunya is a muslim and Jamie's dad...more

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Oct 25, 2011 El Templo de las Mil Puertas added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 21-eltemplo, no-solo-para-adultos

"Jamie sabe que lo que está haciendo es un pecado, o cuanto menos, algo que haría enfadar muchísimo a su padre si llegara a enterarse: se ha hecho amigo de una niña musulmana, Sunya. Él, que sabe que todos son terroristas y asesinos; que ha visto cómo, por culpa de una bomba en Londres, su hermana mayor, Rose, moría y su familia se rompía en mil pedazos. Él, que ha tenido que mudarse a un pueblo lejos de la ciudad con su padre y su otra hermana mayor, Jas, mientras su madre se quedaba en la ciud...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Jill Overmyer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The plot of this book has already been described widely on this forum so there's no need for me to reiterate, and the publisher's blurb tells you all you need to know anyway, so all I can add is my personal reaction to this book.
While this book may be classified as "young adult", I think that is selling it short. It is, or at least should be, a book for everyone. It deals with issues such as grief, alcohism, parental neglect, racism and bullying in such a matter of fact way that makes its impac...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Deborah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, ya

One of the few books that have made me cry. I loved the main character Jamie and his sister Jasmine. This poor kid is so observant and has such a big heart that it was painful to see him go through so much in this book.

His new best friend, Sunya, is Muslim. His sister's twin, having been killed in a bomb set by Muslims, has resulted in his parents separation five years after the event. They live with their father who drinks, talks about/and to Rose (d.twin), and has an absolute hatred of all Mus...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Ann Sloan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

You can’t tell a book by its cover. I received an ARC from the publisher; I'm glad they changed it. I only wish I hadn’t procrastinated reading this book. Unusually, I find the manner in which the family’s separation is resolved to be trite and cheap. In this case, it was necessary. The family members might not have found themselves back to each other. It was very sad, but often you don’t appreciate what you have until you lose something else...more My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

You can’t tell a book by its cover. I received an ARC from the publisher; I'm glad they changed it. I only wish I hadn’t procrastinated reading this book. Unusually, I find the manner in which the family’s separation is resolved to be trite and cheap. In this case, it was necessary. The family members might not have found themselves back to each other. It was very sad, but often you don’t appreciate what you have until you lose something else very important to you.

Pitcher’s first novel, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, deals with the tragedy of a family torn apart by a terrorist attack. Jamie has ginger hair and a wonderful cat called Roger. What Jamie doesn’t have is his older sister, Rose, who was killed by a bomb which exploded in London when Jamie was just five years old. Although everyone in the family tries to live with what's happened, it's impossible. Jamie's dad starts to drink too much, Rose's twin sister, Jas, dyes her hair pink and Jamie's mum moves out to live with another man called Nigel.

The story begins when, just before Jamie's 10th birthday, he, Jas, their dad and Roger move to the Lake District. Jamie has to cope with starting at a new school and making new friends as best as he can without the help of either of his parents. His dad's too sad and too drunk and his mum's not there. Throughout the book, all he wants is to have a happy family again.

This book tackles interesting subjects in a realistic, honest way. At school, Jamie has to worry about friendships and bullying. At home, he has to worry about death, divorce and change. The issues of racism, religious differences and injustice also feature in the story. The aftermath of the terrorist attack is handled sensitively and the characters discover a way to live together in peace.

Also, the book tackles the idea that even when dreams come true, there's always a risk that you'll end up feeling terribly disappointed.
The way the book is written, Jamie seems like a real person. I think this is because the author explains the many controversial subjects through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy who obviously doesn't think about them in the same way as an adult would.

Even though his sister had been killed, his parents are getting divorced and he feels terribly sad and lonely, he still has to carry on and try to stay positive. It's a great reminder that we often don't always know what's happening in our friends' lives and sometimes they might be feeling sad at school because of what's going on at home.

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece has become a bestseller and has been translated into many languages. It was shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award, The Galaxy milk chocolate Children's Book of the Year, the 2012 Carnegie Medal in Literature, and the 2011 Dylan Thomas Prize. It won a Royal Society of Authors' Betty Trask Award, the Hull Children's Book of the Year and the prestigious 2012 Branford Boase Award for most outstanding debut novel.
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Mar 03, 2013 Deborah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bullying, loss, middle-grade, realistic, religion

One of the most talked about books of last year (which I'm of course only catching up on a year later). It was one of the most honest stories about grief I've ever read, as well as one of the best friendship stories. Jamie is one of the my favorite recent protagonists and I loved all his observations, and his personal struggle with being friends with Sunya, who I also loved. I especially liked how she did not just exist for the sake of Jamie's character, but she had her own struggles.

The only di...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Zoe rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013books, non-fiction, young-adult

Ten-year-old Jamie's sister, Rose, died in a terrorist attack five years ago, but she lives on in an urn on the mantelpiece. The grief over her death has torn the family apart--Jamie's dad is a racist alcoholic, Jamie's mother is having an affair, and Jamie's sister, Jas, who was Rose's twin, is dyeing her hair and putting metal in her face. After his mother leaves, Jamie moves with his father and sister to a new home. When he starts at a new school in the fall, he unexpectedly befriends a Musli...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Michelle rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, middle-grade

Jamie is the younger brother of teenage twin sisters; one who passed away in the London tube bombings. This event is treated the same way as 9/11 often is and it (embarrassingly) never occurred to me it could’ve had the same national effect.

In any case, while the reverberations of this incident shake the county they shake Jamie’s family most of all. His parents are separating and his father has become one of those crazy, rambling Muslim-haters (another market I thought the U.S. cornered), not to...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Vicky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-goal

Absolutely beautiful - heartbreaking and hilarious, Pitcher's portrait of a family in chaos and pain after the sudden and violent death of a daughter/sister is touching and, for the most part, rings true. Narrated by Jamie, a 10-year-old boy who chronicles his feelings about his family, his dead sister, his beloved cat Roger and his misadventures at his new school, the story touchingly captures Jamie's state of mind as he veers from sadness to anger, joy to sorrow as he and his fractured family...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Christina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: realistic, read-in-2013

Oh what a sweet book. A story about a family trying to come to terms with their grief, told by 10 year old Jamie, who can't even remember his older sister Rose, who died in a terrorist bombing five years ago. All he knows is that her death tore up his family. His mother left to live with another man, and his father has moved Jamie and his remaining older sister Jasmine to the country, where Dad has descended into drinking and can't bear to scatter Rose's ashes, instead putting birthday and chris...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a quick and un-put-down-able read (I didn't hear the audio version; I read it as prose). My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece is narrated by 10 year old Jamie, whose voice is by-and-large consistent and believable. There were one or two moments when I wasn't convinced - sometimes he would seem too old for his years, but when you consider the events he was describing, it's fairly easy to justify him seeming more grown up here and there. Some of the writing is beautiful, Jamie's narration c...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Karen (Book Light Graveyard) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I almost didn’t write a review for this book, because it’s so dang touching and near-perfect that I’m not sure I can adequately convey all the reasons it’s so wonderful. But I’m going to try.

This book is heartbreaking, quite frankly—I cried through the last three chapters, which is not something I do often. Jamie’s life is devastatingly hard and more than any 10 year old should have to deal with—after one of his sisters died, his parents never recovered, and with their ensuing divorce, his mom...more I almost didn’t write a review for this book, because it’s so dang touching and near-perfect that I’m not sure I can adequately convey all the reasons it’s so wonderful. But I’m going to try.

This book is heartbreaking, quite frankly—I cried through the last three chapters, which is not something I do often. Jamie’s life is devastatingly hard and more than any 10 year old should have to deal with—after one of his sisters died, his parents never recovered, and with their ensuing divorce, his mom abandons Jamie and his sister and leaves them with their increasingly alcoholic and prejudiced father. And on top of that, Jamie gets bullied at school. But Jamie, that wonderful kid, perseveres. Sometimes he gets scared, and he doesn’t always make the brave choice, but he keeps on going and never loses his optimistic outlook.

Jas, Jamie’s 15-year-old sister, deserves a medal or something for being the best big sister ever. In some ways she has it harder than Jamie—she’s older, so she understands better than he does the implications of what’s going on in their family. But despite her pink hair, dark eyeliner, and black clothes, she’s unfailingly thoughtful and kind to Jamie. It would be so easy for her to shut him out and focus only on herself and her own problems, but she doesn’t—she not only takes care of Jamie’s basic needs, like keeping him fed, but she also goes to his soccer games and spends time with him. She’s amazing.

And just as wonderful as Jas is Sunya, Jamie’s new friend. Here’s another girl who’s so incredibly strong. She’s the only Muslim at a small Christian school, and she gets bullied relentlessly, but that doesn’t keep her from being herself. She’s resilient and irrepressible, and she reaches out to Jamie and through her friendship helps him find those qualities within himself. Like Jamie says, “Sunya is strong and Sunya is Girl M and Sunya is sunshine and smiles and sparkle.” I wholeheartedly agree.

Overall, this book will break your heart but offer you enough hope to make it all worth it. I recommend it for sure.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Book Light Graveyard (less)

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Nov 18, 2012 Michele Weiner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I admit I'm a sucker for kids, especially for kids struggling with adult issues, and I did enjoy this book very much, although it was no Jonathan Safran Foer. Jamie lost his sister Rose in the Oct. 7 bombings in London. He can't remember her very well because he was only five at the time, but his sister, Jasmine was her twin sister, and they were ten when Rose died, so Jas suffers more. His mum and dad cannot think of anything else but Rose. They only found ten pieces of her in the aftermath. Mu...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Monica! rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reasonably-realistic, seasonal-allergies-not-tears, you-go-girl, manly-man-man-man, i-love-you-for-your-cover, your-reality-alarms-me, youre-not-from-around-here, read-in-2012

When I picked this book up I was terrified, because a) books with fantastic titles like this rarely turn out the way I’d like and b) are you serious, we have a ten-year-old narrator dealing with death and terrorism and parental neglect? It was never going to work.

And then it opened like this:

My sister Rose lives on the mantelpiece. Well, some of her does. Three of her fingers, her right elbow and her kneecap are buried in a graveyard in London. Mum and Dad had a big argument when the police foun...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Elisa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dentro de una familia desgarrada por el recuerdo y atrapados en el horror, somos testigos de cómo todos los familiares de Jamie se dejan llevar por las circunstancias. La madre los abandona relegándolos al olvido, casi como si se tratara de una espina que no se logra arrancar, el padre trata de olvidar todo el dolor con una botella. Esto deja a Jasmine, un recuerdo amargo de lo que la familia perdió, y Jamie, un niño pequeño que simplemente quiere tener una vida normal y que no puede llorar por...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, realistic-fiction, young-adult

Jamie barely remembers his sister Rose. Actually, he isn't sure that he remembers her at all, except that she has been immortalized within the family to such an extent that her ashes live in an urn on the mantel of the fireplace. On her birthday, food is placed up there for her to eat. What's most devastating about this is that Rose had a twin sister, Jasmine. And though Jas still lives, she is so overshadowed by the memory of her sister that she slowly fades out of the picture. Until she dyes h...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Karin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, tween, kids-with-adult-problems, alcoholism, parents, parenting, absent-parents, bullying, new-home, new-school, borrowed-from-the-library, friendship, death-of-a-sibling, realistic, death-of-a-pet, siblings, mother-son-relationships, mothers, grief-mourning

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. mie’s (10) family fell apart after his sister Rose was killed by terrorists (bomb explosion). Both his mum and father were devastated, as well as his sister Jasmine (Jas) who was Rose’s twin. Five years later, Jamie barely remembers Rose (he still hasn’t cried over her death), Jas may have an eating disorder, their mum is having an affair with some bloke named Nigel, and dad has whisked the kids away to the countryside for a new start (or to drink himself into an early grave). What Jamie and Jas...more

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Oct 11, 2012 The Fictionators rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is a tragic and heartbreakingly real portrayal of a family affected by a horrible, horrible situation. But what makes it unique is the fact that the entire story is told by Jamie, who at the time his sister Rose was killed, was only five years old. He’s ten now, and the most important things to him are his cat Roger, and a Spider-Man t-shirt that was a gift from his mom.

Everyone in his family is confused and sometimes even hurt by how Jamie seems detached and unaffected by the loss o...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Karen Yingling rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jamie's sister, Rose, was killed in a terrorist bombing in London five years ago. While Jamie and Rose's twin, Jasmine, are doing okay, their parents have fallen apart. Their father has taken up drinking, and due to the lack of building work in London, has moved the family to the Lake District where there is work (and also fewer "foreign" people, whom he holds responsible for Rose's death). The mother has chosen not to go with them, since she started having an affair with a man whose wife was ki...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked this story. It’s a sad book throughout because it deals with the death of a child and the havoc that wrecks on a family. However, it’s told from the perspective of a little boy, Jamie, who was too young to remember his dead sister and doesn’t quite understand what the big deal is. Although it deals with pretty heavy subject matter, it still has moments of lightheartedness and fun that only a 10 year old can have. It’s the life of a little boy obsessed with Spiderman, who has to co...more

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Oct 07, 2012 Dilara rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought the whole topic was very intriguing. Death of a young family member's impact is something that everyone things about once in a while, but no one ever dares to put it into words! This book shows how one thing can lead to many others; a death can lead to racism, pressure, loneliness, alcoholism and abandonment. Sounds very depressing.But reading through the book you realise that it is all very realistic (I believe this sounds unrealistic).

The only not so realistic bit was that Jamie see...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Jenny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-challenge, young-adult

Erin's rave review on Forever Young Adult is justified in this case; My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece is an incredible book. First and foremost, ten-year-old Jamie's narrative voice is absorbing and pitch-perfect. His situation is rough, even worse than he'll let himself realize, but he's an optimist; his fifteen-year-old sister Jasmine, however, sees a clearer picture.

Jamie's older sister, Jasmine's twin Rose, was killed in a terrorist bombing in London (referred to as October 7, the way Ame...more Erin's rave review on Forever Young Adult is justified in this case; My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece is an incredible book. First and foremost, ten-year-old Jamie's narrative voice is absorbing and pitch-perfect. His situation is rough, even worse than he'll let himself realize, but he's an optimist; his fifteen-year-old sister Jasmine, however, sees a clearer picture.

Jamie's older sister, Jasmine's twin Rose, was killed in a terrorist bombing in London (referred to as October 7, the way Americans refer to the WTC bombings as September 11). Jamie was only five at the time, and has since felt more guilty than sad, because he doesn't really miss his sister, though everyone expects him to. Jasmine tries to forge a new and different identity through pink hair and black clothes; their father drinks and hates all Muslims; and their mother leaves the family for Nigel, who she met at a grief support group.

Jamie, Jasmine, and their father move out to a tiny town in the Lake District, where the father proceeds to drink and neglect both kids, leaving Jasmine to take care of everything. Jamie has a predictably awful time at his new school, and his only friend - she of the sparkly brown eyes - is Sunya, a Muslim. Jamie has no prejudice himself (and observes that terrorists are more often men over twenty than girls under eleven), but is afraid to be friends with Sunya because of what his dad would think/say/do.

Both Jamie and Jasmine miss their mom (Mum), but only Jamie expects her to send Christmas and birthday presents and show up for parent-teacher conferences; Jasmine realizes their mother has abandoned them, and she covers as best she can. Only when Jamie forces his mother to appear by entering himself and Jas in a talent competition in Manchester does he realize what Jas has known all along.

Achingly sweet and sad, with more than a touch of humor, I can't imagine readers not falling in love with Jamie, Jas, and Sunya...and maybe even Roger the cat. Among all the series and the dystopias, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece shines through as an example of what a realistic, stand-alone novel can be.

Quotes:

Hundreds of butterflies kept me awake the night before the team was announced. And in the morning every one of those butterflies felt as if they'd had ten energetic babies. (75)

And I said What's the Koran and she said It's sort of like the Bible. And that is the thing about Christians and Muslims - they both have a God and they both have a book. They are just called different things. (96)

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Sep 29, 2012 Helen Tozer added it · review of another edition

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece is an honest and unsentimental portrayal of an imperfect family struggling to come to terms with the death of a child. It's telling that this children's book feels more authentic than the majority of popular adult 'tragic lit' titles (or whatever Waterstones are labelling them as this year). Far from featuring stock, dependable adult characters, in Pitcher's world grief has made children out of the adults and adults of the children.

Jamie is an unselfconscious n...more My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece is an honest and unsentimental portrayal of an imperfect family struggling to come to terms with the death of a child. It's telling that this children's book feels more authentic than the majority of popular adult 'tragic lit' titles (or whatever Waterstones are labelling them as this year). Far from featuring stock, dependable adult characters, in Pitcher's world grief has made children out of the adults and adults of the children.

Jamie is an unselfconscious narrator and he paints a brutally clear picture of the children's neglected state. The faith that he relentlessly places in his mother could distress some adult readers. But the success of this book suggests that children respond well to such a honest representation of a dysfunctional family. And why shouldn't they? Children are on the whole much more honest than adults. And their response to death is usually way more pragmatic than an adult's. In short, Jamie's parents could stand to learn a lot from him.

The book has its sweet moments as Jamie interacts with his sister and his only friend Sunya, (a friendship that Jamie's Dad would definitely NOT approve of). It's clear early on that his chance for happiness rests on these two young pairs of shoulders. I was a little disappointed that the author has made both of the only 2 nurturing/supportive figures in the novel female. I suppose it just felt predictable, especially as the school bully was male, for the parenting void in his live to be filled by two females.

Also the romantic aspect of Jamie and Sunya's relationship didn't really ring true for me. His infatuation seemed to devalue their friendship in the way that it served as a convenient motivation for his continued resistance to his Dad's tyranny. It would have been way cooler if Sunya's personality (which did rock) was the main instigator for Jamie's loyalty rather than an attraction which seemed to border on a fetishness for Sunya's cultural differences. It felt like the crush had been added mainly for the benefit of the adult cute factor and removing it could have opened up the book to more young male readers.

Those issue aside there's a lot to like about this book. I always like books that hand the reins to kids in difficult situations and I really value the honesty surrounding this difficult topic. It's also a pretty funny read too(less)

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Sep 15, 2012 Maya rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library

Just the opening of this book really grabs you and draws you in, and the rest only does so even more! It's very real, and describes problems common in our world, including alcoholism, eating disorders, racism, terrorism, bullying and divorce.

At first I hated the dad, whose racism is appalling, and who just leaves his children to fend for themselves whilst he loses himself in alcohol. However, as the progresses and I began to get a glimpse of the true extent of his grief over losing his daughter...more

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About Annabel Pitcher

Annabel Pitcher studied English at Oxford and has since worked as a script writer and an English teacher. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband. MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE was her first novel. She is a full-time writer.

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“I stared up at the sky and raised my middle finger, just in case God was watching. I don't like being spied on.” — 11 people liked it

“If envy is red and doubt is black then happiness is brown. I looked from the little brown stone to the tiny brown freckle to her huge brown eyes.” — 6 people liked it

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