What do you think?
Rate this book
Sisters Alone
From the National Book Award–winning author of Kareem Between comes a powerful novel in verse about two sisters trapped in a blizzard in a heart-wrenching story of sisterhood and survival.
Two sisters. One storm. A fight for their lives.
Rama is all fire—fierce, quick to anger, and trying to hold her family together while battling the monster of intrusive thoughts. Leena is all ice—quiet, numbed to the vibrancy of the world, as she silently blames herself for their mother’s death.
When their father must travel for work, a sudden blizzard traps the sisters alone at their rural home. As the storm tears through their house, they’re left without power, without food, without shelter—and with no one to rely on but each other.
Told in powerful, poetic verse, Sisters Alone is a heart-stopping story of sisterhood, survival, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going, even when the world feels like it's falling apart.
Two sisters. One storm. A fight for their lives.
Rama is all fire—fierce, quick to anger, and trying to hold her family together while battling the monster of intrusive thoughts. Leena is all ice—quiet, numbed to the vibrancy of the world, as she silently blames herself for their mother’s death.
When their father must travel for work, a sudden blizzard traps the sisters alone at their rural home. As the storm tears through their house, they’re left without power, without food, without shelter—and with no one to rely on but each other.
Told in powerful, poetic verse, Sisters Alone is a heart-stopping story of sisterhood, survival, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going, even when the world feels like it's falling apart.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published September 8, 2026
About the author
Shifa Saltagi Safadi
12 books153 followersShifa Saltagi Safadi was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents when she was a young girl. She is a bilingual Arabic/English speaker, and is very familiar with the challenges of learning English and navigating two languages.
As a mom to four Arab American children and a former English teacher to Middle School students, (and an author!) she now spends her time helping kids develop a love of reading and writing too.
You can learn more about her books on her website shifasafadi.com
As a mom to four Arab American children and a former English teacher to Middle School students, (and an author!) she now spends her time helping kids develop a love of reading and writing too.
You can learn more about her books on her website shifasafadi.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Read
August 3, 2026Such a great story! It was hard to put down! The story in verse made reading very fast and flow to the next page and the next page.
It was hard to read how each of the family members are surviving the unexpected death of their mother/wife six month later. The weight is crushing each of them in different ways. Each trying their best to stay afloat and show each other they are fine and can help him in the day to day. But they really aren't surviving as well as they think they are. Even the sisters' friendships are on shaking ground.
The sisters are constantly bickering with each other (very realistic). Leena is six years old and Rama is eight years old. Rama feels she has to watch out for her sister and make sure she has everything for school. Leena feels like it's her fault that mom died and Rama hates her because of it. Leena is constantly distracted and forgetful. Rama's frustrations boil over a lot more now, she can't keep her "monster", as she calls it, in check anymore.
They find themselve home alone and don't want to call dad who is on a business trip or he may lose his job and they would lose their home. A series of events has the sisters needing each other more than ever now to get through this together.
The story goes so quickly it would be a great read aloud for classrooms! Keep the students listening and wanting more!
A must-have for all libraries!
#ShifaSaltagiSafadi #SistersAlone #NewRelease #ReadABook #ReadThisBook #Books #Read #MGReads #MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #ElementaryBooks #ElemReads #Edelweiss #Goodreads #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #PublicLibraries #PublicLibrarians
It was hard to read how each of the family members are surviving the unexpected death of their mother/wife six month later. The weight is crushing each of them in different ways. Each trying their best to stay afloat and show each other they are fine and can help him in the day to day. But they really aren't surviving as well as they think they are. Even the sisters' friendships are on shaking ground.
The sisters are constantly bickering with each other (very realistic). Leena is six years old and Rama is eight years old. Rama feels she has to watch out for her sister and make sure she has everything for school. Leena feels like it's her fault that mom died and Rama hates her because of it. Leena is constantly distracted and forgetful. Rama's frustrations boil over a lot more now, she can't keep her "monster", as she calls it, in check anymore.
They find themselve home alone and don't want to call dad who is on a business trip or he may lose his job and they would lose their home. A series of events has the sisters needing each other more than ever now to get through this together.
The story goes so quickly it would be a great read aloud for classrooms! Keep the students listening and wanting more!
A must-have for all libraries!
#ShifaSaltagiSafadi #SistersAlone #NewRelease #ReadABook #ReadThisBook #Books #Read #MGReads #MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #ElementaryBooks #ElemReads #Edelweiss #Goodreads #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #PublicLibraries #PublicLibrarians
September 8, 2026
Perfect for fans of authors like Jasmine Warga. This middle grade novel in verse story follows two South Asian American sisters left home alone to survive when a winter storm hits their home hard. Told from the sisters' alternating POVs, this is a survival story full of bravery, big feelings, grief, guilt, rage, intrusive thoughts and anxiety.
The emotions dripped off the pages and the author does such a great job putting you in the elder sister's mind. It was excellent on audio and highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed books like The hatchet, Alone by Megan E. Freeman, Living with Viola by Rosena Fung or The children's blizzard. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
CW: loss of a parent, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks
The emotions dripped off the pages and the author does such a great job putting you in the elder sister's mind. It was excellent on audio and highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed books like The hatchet, Alone by Megan E. Freeman, Living with Viola by Rosena Fung or The children's blizzard. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
CW: loss of a parent, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks
Read
February 11, 2026Loved this one! I'll review closer to pub date <3. In the meantime, get those pre-orders in!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this novel in verse, sisters Leena (6th grade) and Rama (8th grade) are struggling with their mother's death six months earlier, each dealing in their own way. Leena is constuctins a scrapbook to keep her mother's memory alive, since she is sure the death is her fault, and Rama has developed intrusive thoughts that make it hard to even hang out with her best friend, Madiha, without worrying that Madiha will stop being her friend so she can hang out with Kim. As the school ski trip approaches, Rama hopes to spend time with Madiha and repair their relationship, but is irritated because her father, who will be in Japan for work when the girls are on the trip, wants her to watch out for Leena. Leena is constantly forgetting things, and is in danger of not being allowed on the trip because her grades are slipping. On the morning of the trip, Rama is responsible for getting Leena on the bus, because their father has already left, but when the bus driver doesn't have Leena on the list because she forgot to turn in her permission slip, the girls go home. Rama doesn't want to tell her father about the mishap because she is spiralling into a thought that he will lose his job, and doesn't want to call Madiha's mother for help. She and Leena face a week in their house in the country with limited food, but things go from bad to worse when a storm approaching. Leena has already set fire to the microwave by not taking the foil out of some prepared Mac and cheese, and the girls have been constantly bickering. They've had a food fight after Leena left a kitchen window open, broken Rama's phone, and injured Leena. Leena forgets to charge her phone, so when the electricity is off and a tree falls through their roof, they can't summon help. The bundle up in warm clothes (but don't grab shoes) and head to a shed to try to wait out the storm. They do have some helpful talks about their mother and the reason for her accident, but after so long in the cold weather, Rama becomes unresponsive. Will Leena be able to save them both?
Strengths: I've been a big fan of books set during blizzards ever since Haywood's Snowbound with Betsy and Wilder's The Long Winter, so the blizzard setting was very appealing. This is a lyrical, heart print book that offers an on trend look at anxiety and grief. The sisters don't get along, which is not a topic that middle grade literature covers much, with the exception of Davis' Figure it Out, Henry Weldon. The verse format allows the sisters' voice to come through; Leena does not capitalize her i's. The girls cause disaster after disaster, and their survival really is in peril because of all of their poor choices, rather like Ava's in Stranded or Marlo and Amos' in Hashimoto's Off the Map. Even though the are in danger, the girls still adhere to their Syrian Muslim heritage and try to keep up with their prayers. It's not too much of a spoiler to say that there is a happy ending.
Weaknesses: Since the mother's death was so traumatic and the girls are clearly exhibiting troubling behavior, it is a bit odd that they weren't both in therapy. They both make a lot of poor choices, which was hard to read, but probably very true to the choices today's 6th and 8th graders would make. Part of me envisioned an ending to this where both the sisters perished on the road trying to get help!
What I Really Think: This author's Kareem Between had some topical issues that were explored in an interesting way, but this book was just harrowing. Readers who liked Messner's The Trouble with Heroes or Bowling's The Canyon's Edge might like this one.
In this novel in verse, sisters Leena (6th grade) and Rama (8th grade) are struggling with their mother's death six months earlier, each dealing in their own way. Leena is constuctins a scrapbook to keep her mother's memory alive, since she is sure the death is her fault, and Rama has developed intrusive thoughts that make it hard to even hang out with her best friend, Madiha, without worrying that Madiha will stop being her friend so she can hang out with Kim. As the school ski trip approaches, Rama hopes to spend time with Madiha and repair their relationship, but is irritated because her father, who will be in Japan for work when the girls are on the trip, wants her to watch out for Leena. Leena is constantly forgetting things, and is in danger of not being allowed on the trip because her grades are slipping. On the morning of the trip, Rama is responsible for getting Leena on the bus, because their father has already left, but when the bus driver doesn't have Leena on the list because she forgot to turn in her permission slip, the girls go home. Rama doesn't want to tell her father about the mishap because she is spiralling into a thought that he will lose his job, and doesn't want to call Madiha's mother for help. She and Leena face a week in their house in the country with limited food, but things go from bad to worse when a storm approaching. Leena has already set fire to the microwave by not taking the foil out of some prepared Mac and cheese, and the girls have been constantly bickering. They've had a food fight after Leena left a kitchen window open, broken Rama's phone, and injured Leena. Leena forgets to charge her phone, so when the electricity is off and a tree falls through their roof, they can't summon help. The bundle up in warm clothes (but don't grab shoes) and head to a shed to try to wait out the storm. They do have some helpful talks about their mother and the reason for her accident, but after so long in the cold weather, Rama becomes unresponsive. Will Leena be able to save them both?
Strengths: I've been a big fan of books set during blizzards ever since Haywood's Snowbound with Betsy and Wilder's The Long Winter, so the blizzard setting was very appealing. This is a lyrical, heart print book that offers an on trend look at anxiety and grief. The sisters don't get along, which is not a topic that middle grade literature covers much, with the exception of Davis' Figure it Out, Henry Weldon. The verse format allows the sisters' voice to come through; Leena does not capitalize her i's. The girls cause disaster after disaster, and their survival really is in peril because of all of their poor choices, rather like Ava's in Stranded or Marlo and Amos' in Hashimoto's Off the Map. Even though the are in danger, the girls still adhere to their Syrian Muslim heritage and try to keep up with their prayers. It's not too much of a spoiler to say that there is a happy ending.
Weaknesses: Since the mother's death was so traumatic and the girls are clearly exhibiting troubling behavior, it is a bit odd that they weren't both in therapy. They both make a lot of poor choices, which was hard to read, but probably very true to the choices today's 6th and 8th graders would make. Part of me envisioned an ending to this where both the sisters perished on the road trying to get help!
What I Really Think: This author's Kareem Between had some topical issues that were explored in an interesting way, but this book was just harrowing. Readers who liked Messner's The Trouble with Heroes or Bowling's The Canyon's Edge might like this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sixth-grader Leena is working on a scrapbook filled with happy memories of her mom, who died six months earlier in a tragic accident. Creating the album is the only way that she feels she can keep her mom's memory alive. Since the loss, both Leena and her older sister, Rama, have changed in ways they don't fully understand. Rama has become angrier and struggles with intrusive thoughts. She feels like Leena can't do anything right and that she's constantly cleaning up her messes. She gets easily irritated and has alienated her best friend Madiha too. Leena, meanwhile, is the only one who secretly blames herself for their mom's death.
The sisters have been preparing for a school ski trip, but Leena is worried she won't pass one of her classes and won't be allowed to go. Rama is desperate to fix things with Madiha, who seems to be drifting toward the new girl at school, and she hopes the ski trip will be able to repair things. With her dad traveling to Japan for work, Rama is put in charge of Leena.
On the morning of the ski trip, everything falls apart. Leena is turned away from the bus because she forgot to turn in her permission slip. Suddenly, both girls are stuck at home for the entire week. They decide not to tell their dad, afraid that he will cut his trip short and risk losing his job. At first, they try to manage with what little food that is left in the house, but things quickly become dire when a snowstorm knocks out the power, and a falling tree causes structural damage to the house. Forced to take shelter in a shed, the girls face escalating hardships, and a painful misunderstanding puts them both at risk.
Sisters Alone is from the author of Kareen Between and the Amina Banana series, and is a verse novel that explores sadness, deep frustration, grief after losing a family member, shifting friendships, and evolving sibling relationships. It portrays how trauma impacts people in different ways. It's a beautifully emotional story rooted in the bond between these two sisters.
I loved the variety of writing styles for the verse, from cascading words to the conversational back-and-forth between Leena and Rema. Switching between their perspectives allowed me to understand each girl's grief and anxieties. The vivid winter setting came alive through detailed descriptions like, "salt crunches beneath the tires. Ice covered evergreens line our way." I also really appreciated how their culture shone through in the moments of them completing their five daily prayers. This is a great read if you enjoy books in verse, survival stories or heartwarming sibling stories. The author's note at the end shares her personal experiences with anxiety and intrusive thoughts, along with helpful links for further exploration.
The sisters have been preparing for a school ski trip, but Leena is worried she won't pass one of her classes and won't be allowed to go. Rama is desperate to fix things with Madiha, who seems to be drifting toward the new girl at school, and she hopes the ski trip will be able to repair things. With her dad traveling to Japan for work, Rama is put in charge of Leena.
On the morning of the ski trip, everything falls apart. Leena is turned away from the bus because she forgot to turn in her permission slip. Suddenly, both girls are stuck at home for the entire week. They decide not to tell their dad, afraid that he will cut his trip short and risk losing his job. At first, they try to manage with what little food that is left in the house, but things quickly become dire when a snowstorm knocks out the power, and a falling tree causes structural damage to the house. Forced to take shelter in a shed, the girls face escalating hardships, and a painful misunderstanding puts them both at risk.
Sisters Alone is from the author of Kareen Between and the Amina Banana series, and is a verse novel that explores sadness, deep frustration, grief after losing a family member, shifting friendships, and evolving sibling relationships. It portrays how trauma impacts people in different ways. It's a beautifully emotional story rooted in the bond between these two sisters.
I loved the variety of writing styles for the verse, from cascading words to the conversational back-and-forth between Leena and Rema. Switching between their perspectives allowed me to understand each girl's grief and anxieties. The vivid winter setting came alive through detailed descriptions like, "salt crunches beneath the tires. Ice covered evergreens line our way." I also really appreciated how their culture shone through in the moments of them completing their five daily prayers. This is a great read if you enjoy books in verse, survival stories or heartwarming sibling stories. The author's note at the end shares her personal experiences with anxiety and intrusive thoughts, along with helpful links for further exploration.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A book that makes you immediately pick up the phone to tell your sisters you love them.
Quickly followed by a sister blizzard emergency preparedness meeting.
A must read for fans of verse novels, sibling relationship stories, and anyone looking for an emotional and moving winter read.
Rama and Leena are sisters grieving the loss of their mother in different ways. Rama, the eldest, is quick to anger and consumed by intrusive thoughts. Leena, the youngest, retreats into herself seeming almost numb to life around her. Written in verse, the author writes from both sister’s perspectives in two distinct voices supported by slight shifts in form. I knew which character was speaking immediately and found myself sucked into their inner landscapes wanting to know more and more.
Rama and Leena are supposed to be on a school ski trip while their father is away for business, but the two find themselves in their isolated home alone in the middle of a blizzard. Tensions between the sisters and the intense weather collide when a tree falls into their house leaving the girls exposed to a brutal winter storm. Needing shelter, food, water, and warmth the sisters have to work together to find their inner strength to save each other from the storm outside and the one brewing between each other.
At first I thought this book would be a winter survival story in the tradition of Hatchet (Paulsen), but I was pleasantly surprised by how realistic it was. The girls did not just happen to have expert knowledge on building a fire, knot tying, or hunting. They acted how I think my sisters and I would have, ultimately making the characters and story more relatable.
Overall, the need to solve the immediate problem of surviving the blizzard was perfectly balanced with the sisters managing their grief and relationship ultimately leading to a fantastic representation of mental health struggles. Great for fans of Dusti Bowling’s “The Canyon’s Edge” or Christine Day’s “The Sea in Winter”.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for review. My opinions are my own.
Quickly followed by a sister blizzard emergency preparedness meeting.
A must read for fans of verse novels, sibling relationship stories, and anyone looking for an emotional and moving winter read.
Rama and Leena are sisters grieving the loss of their mother in different ways. Rama, the eldest, is quick to anger and consumed by intrusive thoughts. Leena, the youngest, retreats into herself seeming almost numb to life around her. Written in verse, the author writes from both sister’s perspectives in two distinct voices supported by slight shifts in form. I knew which character was speaking immediately and found myself sucked into their inner landscapes wanting to know more and more.
Rama and Leena are supposed to be on a school ski trip while their father is away for business, but the two find themselves in their isolated home alone in the middle of a blizzard. Tensions between the sisters and the intense weather collide when a tree falls into their house leaving the girls exposed to a brutal winter storm. Needing shelter, food, water, and warmth the sisters have to work together to find their inner strength to save each other from the storm outside and the one brewing between each other.
At first I thought this book would be a winter survival story in the tradition of Hatchet (Paulsen), but I was pleasantly surprised by how realistic it was. The girls did not just happen to have expert knowledge on building a fire, knot tying, or hunting. They acted how I think my sisters and I would have, ultimately making the characters and story more relatable.
Overall, the need to solve the immediate problem of surviving the blizzard was perfectly balanced with the sisters managing their grief and relationship ultimately leading to a fantastic representation of mental health struggles. Great for fans of Dusti Bowling’s “The Canyon’s Edge” or Christine Day’s “The Sea in Winter”.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for review. My opinions are my own.
September 9, 2026
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and Toppling Stacks Tours for having me as part of this book tour. Visit this link for the full tour schedule.
Sisters Alone brings you into the life of two sisters in one wild blizzard, and a whole lot of emotions. This book truly hit different. I’ve loved verse novels ever since I read Other Words for Home, so I was super excited to read this one, and it didn’t disappoint. It's a gripping, quick story that draws you in instantly.
Rama and Leena are total opposites. Rama is all fire, quick to anger, and dealing with overwhelming intrusive thoughts. Leena is like ice; quiet, shut down, and convinced she’s to blame for their mother's death. When their father leaves for work, they end up stuck alone at their home instead of going on a school ski trip. Then the storm hits hard; power is out, food is gone, and a tree even crashes into their house, leaving them exposed to the cold. It’s just the two of them figuring things out.
What I loved most is how real it feels. They don’t suddenly turn into survival pros who know how to build fires or hunt for food. They act like actual kids: scared, making mistakes, and learning as they go. It makes them so easy to relate to. The writing is awesome too. Each sister has her own clear voice in verse, and even the intonation shifts a little to match their vibe. You really get deep into their heads.
This story balances survival tension with so much heart. It’s not just about braving the snow; it’s about dealing with grief, guilt, and the messy stuff between siblings. If you like verse novels, real sibling bonds, or you're looking for emotional winter vibe reads, this one’s for you. Short, powerful, and totally worth reading!
Sisters Alone brings you into the life of two sisters in one wild blizzard, and a whole lot of emotions. This book truly hit different. I’ve loved verse novels ever since I read Other Words for Home, so I was super excited to read this one, and it didn’t disappoint. It's a gripping, quick story that draws you in instantly.
Rama and Leena are total opposites. Rama is all fire, quick to anger, and dealing with overwhelming intrusive thoughts. Leena is like ice; quiet, shut down, and convinced she’s to blame for their mother's death. When their father leaves for work, they end up stuck alone at their home instead of going on a school ski trip. Then the storm hits hard; power is out, food is gone, and a tree even crashes into their house, leaving them exposed to the cold. It’s just the two of them figuring things out.
What I loved most is how real it feels. They don’t suddenly turn into survival pros who know how to build fires or hunt for food. They act like actual kids: scared, making mistakes, and learning as they go. It makes them so easy to relate to. The writing is awesome too. Each sister has her own clear voice in verse, and even the intonation shifts a little to match their vibe. You really get deep into their heads.
This story balances survival tension with so much heart. It’s not just about braving the snow; it’s about dealing with grief, guilt, and the messy stuff between siblings. If you like verse novels, real sibling bonds, or you're looking for emotional winter vibe reads, this one’s for you. Short, powerful, and totally worth reading!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This novel in verse told from two perspectives is best targeted for mature middle grade readers and up that can handle grief, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, survival situations, and injury. The lyrical writing, quick pace and normalization of Islam into the characters make the pages fly by and it impossible to put down. Do not let the sparse words on the page make you assume the story is simple, the crafting of this book, is nothing short of spectacular. The numerous entry points allow the story to work on the surface, and I can promise you each reading will provide new details and connections to be discovered. From the color motifs, the weight of tragedy, the devastation of loss, the desperation, the self doubting amplified by the past, their girls' ages, and their present predicament, are expertly balanced with the relatability of friend troubles, school trips, grades, comparisons, expectations, and family dynamics. The heaviness is felt, but the pacing keeps the themes from bogging down the story and allows it to flow effortlessly. The only thing difficult about this book is: one: not spoiling it, hence the minimal amount of inside pages being shared, and two: not staying up late to read it in one sitting.
This book would work wonderfully for a book club reading, even for middle school, and allow intuitive discussions about mental health to take place. The personal backmatter into the author's relationship to both a storm and intrusive thoughts and worries normalize that help is available, that talking to people about our challenges is not weakness, and that understanding and empathy for our ourselves and others are important skills to develop.
This book would work wonderfully for a book club reading, even for middle school, and allow intuitive discussions about mental health to take place. The personal backmatter into the author's relationship to both a storm and intrusive thoughts and worries normalize that help is available, that talking to people about our challenges is not weakness, and that understanding and empathy for our ourselves and others are important skills to develop.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A middle-grade verse novel, SISTERS ALONE is a quick read but also a poignant, affecting one. It's a survival story as well as a tender tale about grief, mental illness, and the complicated relationships sisters know so well. Although it deals with some tough subjects, it's a hopeful read, one that emphasizes the importance of family, communication, and healing together.
I especially like that SISTERS ALONE includes religion (the family is Muslim) as a normal, everyday part of life. Their religious beliefs aren't the main theme of the book, but the text does show how the family's faith traditions and practices help bring them strength and comfort as they deal with difficult life challenges. As a devout, church-going Christian, I relate to this. I appreciate when religion is discussed in books in a way that is sensitive and positive, showing how important it is to people of faith. I don't know a lot about Islam, so I enjoyed learning more about the religion. SISTERS ALONE doesn't include a glossary, at least not in the uncorrected proof version that I read, so I ended up Googling a lot of Arabic phrases as well as unfamiliar terms relating to Islamic practices and Middle Eastern food. I would have preferred to have a handy glossary at the end of the novel, but I still felt enriched after all that I learned through my Googling.
For all these reasons and more, I very much enjoyed SISTERS ALONE and will look out for more books from this author in the future.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for scenes of peril and scary situations
I especially like that SISTERS ALONE includes religion (the family is Muslim) as a normal, everyday part of life. Their religious beliefs aren't the main theme of the book, but the text does show how the family's faith traditions and practices help bring them strength and comfort as they deal with difficult life challenges. As a devout, church-going Christian, I relate to this. I appreciate when religion is discussed in books in a way that is sensitive and positive, showing how important it is to people of faith. I don't know a lot about Islam, so I enjoyed learning more about the religion. SISTERS ALONE doesn't include a glossary, at least not in the uncorrected proof version that I read, so I ended up Googling a lot of Arabic phrases as well as unfamiliar terms relating to Islamic practices and Middle Eastern food. I would have preferred to have a handy glossary at the end of the novel, but I still felt enriched after all that I learned through my Googling.
For all these reasons and more, I very much enjoyed SISTERS ALONE and will look out for more books from this author in the future.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for scenes of peril and scary situations
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is so good.
If you love books in verse and all the feels, put this on your to-read list. I will definitely be purchasing this for my school library when it is published.
Sisters who lost their mother just six months ago are dealing with their grief in very different ways. Rama, the older sister, is in charge of Leena and feels the pressure of holding the family together. Shifa Saltagi Safadi does a great job of not shying away from mental health struggles, especially Rama’s “monster” that lives in her head. She is angry at everything that is changing and doesn’t know how to cope.
Leena, on the other hand, believes her mother’s death is her fault and pours herself into a scrapbook of “before” to keep her mother alive. She feels like she can’t do anything right, especially compared to her seemingly perfect sister.
When the annual school ski trip approaches, their father has to travel for work while they are away. But when Leena forgets to turn in her permission slip, the girls end up staying home alone for a week. They think they’re prepared—until a blizzard hits, a tree crashes into their house, and they are forced out into the cold.
Even though they’ve been at odds since their mother’s death, their bond isn’t broken. They must rely on each other and their individual strengths to survive and find help.
If you love books in verse and all the feels, put this on your to-read list. I will definitely be purchasing this for my school library when it is published.
Sisters who lost their mother just six months ago are dealing with their grief in very different ways. Rama, the older sister, is in charge of Leena and feels the pressure of holding the family together. Shifa Saltagi Safadi does a great job of not shying away from mental health struggles, especially Rama’s “monster” that lives in her head. She is angry at everything that is changing and doesn’t know how to cope.
Leena, on the other hand, believes her mother’s death is her fault and pours herself into a scrapbook of “before” to keep her mother alive. She feels like she can’t do anything right, especially compared to her seemingly perfect sister.
When the annual school ski trip approaches, their father has to travel for work while they are away. But when Leena forgets to turn in her permission slip, the girls end up staying home alone for a week. They think they’re prepared—until a blizzard hits, a tree crashes into their house, and they are forced out into the cold.
Even though they’ve been at odds since their mother’s death, their bond isn’t broken. They must rely on each other and their individual strengths to survive and find help.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A MG novel-in-verse from the author who brought us Kareem Between.
❄️
When a fierce blizzard traps sisters Rama and Leena alone in their rural home, survival becomes their only focus. Rama struggles with overwhelming intrusive thoughts while trying to hold their family together, while Leena withdraws into quiet guilt over their mother’s death. As the storm destroys their home and cuts them off from help, the sisters must rely on each other to endure the night.
❄️
I thought this was such a powerful story about sibling bonds, grief, and resilience. The verse is beautifully done, and I especially loved the formatting choice of placing each sister’s point of view on opposite sides of the page. It visually reinforced how different their inner worlds are while showing how deeply connected they remain. I also appreciated that it includes intrusive thoughts, something I don’t often see addressed in middle grade. This is an emotional, impactful read and definitely a must-preorder for its September 8 release.
CW: parental death, hospitalization, medical content, hypothermia, grief, anxiety, panic attack
❄️
When a fierce blizzard traps sisters Rama and Leena alone in their rural home, survival becomes their only focus. Rama struggles with overwhelming intrusive thoughts while trying to hold their family together, while Leena withdraws into quiet guilt over their mother’s death. As the storm destroys their home and cuts them off from help, the sisters must rely on each other to endure the night.
❄️
I thought this was such a powerful story about sibling bonds, grief, and resilience. The verse is beautifully done, and I especially loved the formatting choice of placing each sister’s point of view on opposite sides of the page. It visually reinforced how different their inner worlds are while showing how deeply connected they remain. I also appreciated that it includes intrusive thoughts, something I don’t often see addressed in middle grade. This is an emotional, impactful read and definitely a must-preorder for its September 8 release.
CW: parental death, hospitalization, medical content, hypothermia, grief, anxiety, panic attack
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sisters Alone is a middle grade novel-in-verse for middle that tackles several big things at the same time: grief, anxiety and intrusive thoughts, fraught relationships (especially with sisters!), and survival in a blizzard.
Rama and Leena are sisters who couldn't be more different, and are both struggling with the recent loss of their mother. When they're caught alone at home in a blizzard while their father is traveling for work, the two girls are forced to confront their grief, their conflicts, and their love for each other in order to make it through.
This book does SUCH a good job of handling these big topics in a way that is first and foremost centered on Islam (without being preachy!!!) and gentle at the same time. Shifa does an incredible job of portraying the struggle with intrusive thoughts as well as the anger that comes with grief (and in the end, a healthy way to deal with them!), which is so important for young ones to see reflected.
Also, I had my heart in my throat during the blizzard bits!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pre-order now because this book releases in September!
Rama and Leena are sisters who couldn't be more different, and are both struggling with the recent loss of their mother. When they're caught alone at home in a blizzard while their father is traveling for work, the two girls are forced to confront their grief, their conflicts, and their love for each other in order to make it through.
This book does SUCH a good job of handling these big topics in a way that is first and foremost centered on Islam (without being preachy!!!) and gentle at the same time. Shifa does an incredible job of portraying the struggle with intrusive thoughts as well as the anger that comes with grief (and in the end, a healthy way to deal with them!), which is so important for young ones to see reflected.
Also, I had my heart in my throat during the blizzard bits!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pre-order now because this book releases in September!
September 9, 2026
Where to even begin on all the reasons I loved this book? As someone who deals with anxiety and intrusive thoughts, I empathized with Rama and her own struggles with her mind. I also appreciated seeing Leena’s perspective, and showing all the different ways people deal with grief. Some try to ignore it, some try to hold on to what was before, and some try to move on and ignore things in the process. I also loved how creative the sisters were in their survival, and how it takes something big to get people to open up, but that doing so is healthy and the only way to really heal. Overall, I found this book to be realistic (other than the realities of two kids not showing up for a school trip and no adults confirming with a guardian), and the depiction of mental health is so critical for young readers to see that they are not alone, they are not a bad person for struggling with these kinds of thoughts, and that getting help is okay and in fact encouraged. I highly recommend everyone read this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shifa Saltagi Safadi already blew me away with her first verse novel: Kareem Between. And this verse novel brings her same brilliance to the page. Two grieving sisters unexpectedly miss an overnight class trip while their dad is on a business trip, the same weekend that a blizzard hits. When a tree smashes their house, they must find a way through their differences (and different ways of grieving) to trust each other and survive.
I found Rama's persepective to feel especially compelling as she struggles to hold it all together--continuing her good grades and wonderful achievements while struggling with friends expanding friendships to other people, her sister's depression following the loss of their mom, and the intrusive thoughts she's battling.
Like Kareem Between the author has a compelling image system built that she transforms alongside the characters as they each face their own internal monsters.
I found Rama's persepective to feel especially compelling as she struggles to hold it all together--continuing her good grades and wonderful achievements while struggling with friends expanding friendships to other people, her sister's depression following the loss of their mom, and the intrusive thoughts she's battling.
Like Kareem Between the author has a compelling image system built that she transforms alongside the characters as they each face their own internal monsters.
September 13, 2026
This is a lovely but hard middle grade verse novel to read, about two sisters whose mother died suddenly six months earlier, and each have very different ways of handling the trauma. Rama turns to anger, a monster raging inside her wanting to tear everything down. Leena clocks out, making her way through the day only half aware of what's going on. When the sisters get stranded home alone during a winter storm, they'll both need to grapple with their grief and learn to be family again.
My family went through something traumatic when I was a similar age, and one of my sisters and I had very similar emotional reactions. I turned into Leena, my middle sister into Rama. The sisters felt very emotionally true. If sometimes the action felt a little forced, kids will enjoy the survival scenarios. The audiobook was a bit stilted, with odd pauses between words. I listened to an advanced listening copy, so maybe that will get worked out.
My family went through something traumatic when I was a similar age, and one of my sisters and I had very similar emotional reactions. I turned into Leena, my middle sister into Rama. The sisters felt very emotionally true. If sometimes the action felt a little forced, kids will enjoy the survival scenarios. The audiobook was a bit stilted, with odd pauses between words. I listened to an advanced listening copy, so maybe that will get worked out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This novel in verse is told through the two sister’s points of view Rama and Leena. Mama is gone and Leena blames herself, and Rama has anxiety and intrusive thoughts and seems angry much of the time. The girl’s plans to go on a trip don’t happen because of Leena, dad is gone on a trip, and a storm happens and a tree falls on the house. The girls take shelter in their shed, but when Leena gets mad at Rama she leaves. Rama falls through the ice and Leena has to save her. The storm ends, but there is still no electricity. Leena goes to a neighbor’s house but no one’s home. She goes to the road and hears a truck. What happens now? Great survival book about sisterhood and resilience. Quite suspenseful at times.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Gifted by the publisher PRH Audio thank you so much for the copy! ✨
Sisters Alone follows Rama and Leena as a sudden blizzard leaves them stranded at home…forcing them to face not only the storm outside but the grief…guilt and complicated emotions they’ve each been carrying. Told entirely in powerful verse…this is a fast paced read that still gives you plenty of space to sit with the emotions💙❄️
I especially loved the sisters dynamic. Their grief creates so much tension between them…while the survival story keeps the pages turning. I already know my middle daughter is going to love this one when she’s a little older. She’s such a fan of survival stories…especially when there’s a little more depth to the story underneath the adventure🥰📚
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Sisters Alone follows Rama and Leena as a sudden blizzard leaves them stranded at home…forcing them to face not only the storm outside but the grief…guilt and complicated emotions they’ve each been carrying. Told entirely in powerful verse…this is a fast paced read that still gives you plenty of space to sit with the emotions💙❄️
I especially loved the sisters dynamic. Their grief creates so much tension between them…while the survival story keeps the pages turning. I already know my middle daughter is going to love this one when she’s a little older. She’s such a fan of survival stories…especially when there’s a little more depth to the story underneath the adventure🥰📚
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Galley read - full review to follow: This novel-in-verse is a beautifully written survival story, both in emotion as sisters Leena and Rama cope with the loss of their mother and in the very literal sense that they must support each other to survive alone in an action-packed and treacherous blizzard. It is like Frozen / Frozen 2 in the real world, and of course I cried at the end. I’ll post a full review closer to publication, but for now I want to say how thankful I am that Shifa Saltagi Safadi has once again used her powerful gifts for poetry and story to share such an extraordinary tale of family, friendship, and mental health that I know will make a difference in so many young readers’ lives. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love verse novels, and this one, written in alternating voices of two sisters, drew me in immediately. Rama and Leena are both mourning the death of their mother the previous year, and Leena is morbidly obsessed with the idea that she caused her mother's death. Rama is dealing with mental demons of her own which cause her to lash out at Leena, at her friends, at herself. When a dire emergency strands the girls in dire straits, both must find inner strength to survive.
Spoiler alert: There is one serious medical error here. One of the girls falls into an ice-covered lake, and is immersed for 15-20 minutes, blue when she comes out. It's almost 24 hours before she gets treatment, and she's fine afterwards There's no way she would have survived more than an hour in her state.
Spoiler alert: There is one serious medical error here. One of the girls falls into an ice-covered lake, and is immersed for 15-20 minutes, blue when she comes out. It's almost 24 hours before she gets treatment, and she's fine afterwards There's no way she would have survived more than an hour in her state.
June 19, 2026
KAREEM BETWEEN is one of the favorite verse novels in my classroom, but Leena and Rama are of SISTERS ALONE are living in a very different set of circumstances. It is 6 months after their mom has died tragically, but life has not settled into a new normal for the girls: Leena blames herself and is often floundering (academically, especially) while her older sister is hiding a rage monster inside. A winter storm forces them to rely on each other, the situation more dire than you would have expected from the premise. Besides the sister conflict and the survival story, mental health is a strong focus with an author’s note about intrusive thoughts and anxiety.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
July 28, 2026
Thank you GP Putnam for Young Readers for the digital copy to review!
I read Kareem Between last year by @shifasaltagisafadi and knew I would absolutely fall in love with this book as well. It’s an incredible novel in verse following two sisters who are stranded at home during a blizzard.
They’ve recently lost their mother and both are handling grief very differently. One feels like they are to blame and the other feels so much anger and frustration. It was so hard to read at times, as someone who has lost a parent incredibly young.
I could absolutely relate to the anxiety monster inside of Rama. The passion that comes across in these stanzas cannot be understated. Not only that, but what happens to these sisters had me gasping throughout. They were dealing with so much internally and then have to also deal with stressful external factors made me scared for them!
The ending was so so beautiful. The honesty, love, and family dynamic that came through was powerful.
Absolutely do not skip the author’s note. I’m here for anything Shifa writes!
I read Kareem Between last year by @shifasaltagisafadi and knew I would absolutely fall in love with this book as well. It’s an incredible novel in verse following two sisters who are stranded at home during a blizzard.
They’ve recently lost their mother and both are handling grief very differently. One feels like they are to blame and the other feels so much anger and frustration. It was so hard to read at times, as someone who has lost a parent incredibly young.
I could absolutely relate to the anxiety monster inside of Rama. The passion that comes across in these stanzas cannot be understated. Not only that, but what happens to these sisters had me gasping throughout. They were dealing with so much internally and then have to also deal with stressful external factors made me scared for them!
The ending was so so beautiful. The honesty, love, and family dynamic that came through was powerful.
Absolutely do not skip the author’s note. I’m here for anything Shifa writes!
August 29, 2026
Sisters Alone is a novel in verse, I love when I come across novels like this especially when they’re YA because it is so pleasing to read!
We follow two POV Leena the younger sister and Rama the older sister. This book has anxiety and intrusive thoughts represented between the two girls after a traumatic event that happens before this book started. I loved seeing this story from two different angles and being able to understand both of the girls perspectives.
Sisters Alone is such a beautiful story about learning to see a difference from the other person perspective and how a family can be broken up from a tragic event but instead of letting it break them up, instead learning how to grow with each other and build anew.
We follow two POV Leena the younger sister and Rama the older sister. This book has anxiety and intrusive thoughts represented between the two girls after a traumatic event that happens before this book started. I loved seeing this story from two different angles and being able to understand both of the girls perspectives.
Sisters Alone is such a beautiful story about learning to see a difference from the other person perspective and how a family can be broken up from a tragic event but instead of letting it break them up, instead learning how to grow with each other and build anew.
September 1, 2026
This is a wonderful story about sisterhood, grief, survival, and mental health. I love the plot and characters. I was engaged from start to finish. I like how the story was written in verse. That made for a fun immersive read. I also like how the story was broken up. For a childrens book this covered a few heavy topics. Rama and Leena stole my heart. Their relationship and struggle for survival had me rooting for them. For such young girls they are very resourceful. They each have their own struggles and have to learn to come together and overcome. You get a message that you can not heal and forgive others until you learn to love yourself and forgive you. I would put this for kids to read around ten to eleven years old.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A phenomenal middle grade novel in verse, with incredible use of space and repetition. Novels in verse are such a work of art, and Safadi is a master of the form. Engaging, gripping, and emotional, what a middle grade novel in verse should be!
Plot-wise, there were a lot of decisions made by the characters that I feel like realistic fiction readers will be appalled by, and that made it hard to feel fully immersed in the story. Otherwise, this is worth the purchase for library shelves.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Plot-wise, there were a lot of decisions made by the characters that I feel like realistic fiction readers will be appalled by, and that made it hard to feel fully immersed in the story. Otherwise, this is worth the purchase for library shelves.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this novel in verse that officially releases TOMORROW 🎉🎉 Sisters Rama and Leena are grieving their mothers death in different ways; when Leena forgets to turn in her school ski trip permission slip during a school break when their father has an international work trip scheduled, the duo ends up home alone. During a snow storm. A snow storm that sends a tree into their house, causing injuries as the girls attempt to get help without power or a phone. The layers to the characters are plentiful, and the familial grief is palpable. Wonderful addition to middle school collections! #mglit
September 13, 2026
This was such a powerful book written in verse showing two Sisters who had been dealing with the loss of their Mum but in such different ways. I liked Leena and Rama and felt their pain which was showing in different ways.
The main reason why I wanted to read this book was the discussion about Anxiety and Intrusive thoughts which as an adult I have sufffered along with depression and I was interested how Shifa would write about this subject so a Middle Grade audience would understand which was done beautifully, If Shifa writes another book I will be reading it as I love their writing style.
For all the above reasons Sisters Alone receives 4 stars
The main reason why I wanted to read this book was the discussion about Anxiety and Intrusive thoughts which as an adult I have sufffered along with depression and I was interested how Shifa would write about this subject so a Middle Grade audience would understand which was done beautifully, If Shifa writes another book I will be reading it as I love their writing style.
For all the above reasons Sisters Alone receives 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I felt immersed in a culture and in the minds of two characters. Oftentimes creatives fail at capturing sibling energy and dynamics, but I felt like this came from an author who has a real loving relationship with their sister. I enjoyed how this story started of brooding then kept quickly building in intensity. I also learned dozens of words so that was great. And I can see myself recommending this book for intrusive thoughts, guilt, shame, grief, anxiety, siblings... the list will probably grow.
Thanks for the read NetGalley
Thanks for the read NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This captivating verse novel is absolutely perfect for middle grade readers, with an exciting storyline, engaging characters, and beautifully lyrical verse! Kids will be enthralled by the survival story that plays out as sisters Rama and Leena end up stranded in a blizzard together, but they'll also empathize with both sisters' emotional battles: Leena's self-blame and Rama's struggle against intrusive thoughts, which make her lash out against the people she loves. This is a page-turner that kids will absolutely not want to put down!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Just finished Sisters Alone in one sitting! Shifa Saltagi Safadi never disappoints with her novels in verse style! In addition to being a survival book, the author highlights mental health (anxiety and intrusive thoughts, which will resonate with many young readers). Review here. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Thank you, Putnam @ Penguin Random House!
Thank you, Putnam @ Penguin Random House!
September 12, 2026
I listened to this novel in verse on Libro.fm. While I appreciated the dual narration of the audiobook, the cadence of the spoken prose felt a bit too staccato. This is a story of sisters in the wake of tragedy. Their mother has died and one of the girls carries guilt while the other struggles with anxiety. One bad thing after another seems to befall the girls from wintry weather to injuries and more. This is an emotional middle grade story of sisterhood and survival.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews