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Ten Ways To Make My Sister Disappear
Ten years after WHEN SHE WAS GOOD launched Arthur A. Levine Books, Mazer brings us TEN WAYS TO MAKE MY SISTER DISAPPEAR, a humorous look at a blistering sister rivalry.
Everything ten year-old Sprig wants, her older sister Dakota already has. Everything Sprig does, Dakota does better. And anytime Sprig complains, Dakota just grins and calls her a baby. It’s enough to make a kid wish her sister would disappear.
But in a year when Sprig’s father is away, her favorite neighbor is ill, and the class bully is acting almost like, well, a boyfriend, Sprig discovers that allies come in unexpected shapes. Sometimes they’re even related to you.
Everything ten year-old Sprig wants, her older sister Dakota already has. Everything Sprig does, Dakota does better. And anytime Sprig complains, Dakota just grins and calls her a baby. It’s enough to make a kid wish her sister would disappear.
But in a year when Sprig’s father is away, her favorite neighbor is ill, and the class bully is acting almost like, well, a boyfriend, Sprig discovers that allies come in unexpected shapes. Sometimes they’re even related to you.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
22 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Norma Fox Mazer
59 books106 followersNorma Fox Mazer was an American author and teacher, best known for her books for children and young adults.
She was born in New York City but grew up in Glens Falls, New York, with parents Michael and Jean Garlan Fox. Mazer graduated from Glens Falls High School, then went to Antioch College, where she met Harry Mazer, whom she married in 1950; they have four children, one of whom, Anne Mazer, is also a writer. She also studied at Syracuse University.
New York Times Book Review contributor Ruth I. Gordon wrote that Mazer "has the skill to reveal the human qualities in both ordinary and extraordinary situations as young people mature....it would be a shame to limit their reading to young people, since they can show an adult reader much about the sometimes painful rite of adolescent passage into adulthood."
Among the honors Mazer earned for her writing were a National Book Award nomination in 1973, an American Library Association Notable Book citation in 1976, inclusion on the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year list in 1976, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1978, an Edgar Award in 1982, German Children's Literature prizes in 1982 and 1989, and a Newbery Medal in 1988.
Mazer taught in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program at Vermont College.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/norma-fo...
She was born in New York City but grew up in Glens Falls, New York, with parents Michael and Jean Garlan Fox. Mazer graduated from Glens Falls High School, then went to Antioch College, where she met Harry Mazer, whom she married in 1950; they have four children, one of whom, Anne Mazer, is also a writer. She also studied at Syracuse University.
New York Times Book Review contributor Ruth I. Gordon wrote that Mazer "has the skill to reveal the human qualities in both ordinary and extraordinary situations as young people mature....it would be a shame to limit their reading to young people, since they can show an adult reader much about the sometimes painful rite of adolescent passage into adulthood."
Among the honors Mazer earned for her writing were a National Book Award nomination in 1973, an American Library Association Notable Book citation in 1976, inclusion on the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year list in 1976, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1978, an Edgar Award in 1982, German Children's Literature prizes in 1982 and 1989, and a Newbery Medal in 1988.
Mazer taught in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program at Vermont College.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/norma-fo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
December 2, 2017
I guess this book was alright!
In the beginning I did not like it at all!
But near the end it started to get pretty good! ( surprisingly! )
In the beginning I did not like it at all!
But near the end it started to get pretty good! ( surprisingly! )
October 11, 2018
I lovedddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd this book. It is not just facts about how to make your sister disappear it is a book with a story!
October 24, 2009
It's funny; with everything Sprig's older sister does, and the way she acts, you could pretty much replace "sister" with "brother", or change Sprig into a boy, and you could easily get a story that boys could relate to perfectly. That's how universal this story's themes are. Sibling rivalry, jealousy, getting angry at friends, missing a parent, and the various little things that happen in the story, are something kids of both genders can understand and relate to.
Each chapter is short, but something interesting is always happening, so the book moves at a great pace. Most importantly, the dialog and characters are very true to life, which is always vital in making a "slice of life" story work. I remember having similar disputes with my older brother, with him acting superior, trying to show off to his friends at my expense, and so on, except we got along better than Sprig and Dakota do here. Still, just about everything that happens in this book, I could easily picture and totally relate to.
It's not just sibling issues, either, though they obviously play a large role in the story. There's other little things going on in Sprig's life, such as the interest an annoying boy takes in her best friend, and an upcoming party intended for older kids that Sprig is allowed to attend. There's also a few attempts to mix in some more serious issues, which I thought was a good idea. They're not expanded upon tremendously, but real life has its ups and downs, its light and heavy moments, and I think they were fit well into the story.
The present-tense narration is a little unexpected, and takes some getting used to, but I like it.
I'd recommend this book. It's not the Great American Novel by any means, but as a realistic yet light-hearted slice of life story, it's great for what it is.
Each chapter is short, but something interesting is always happening, so the book moves at a great pace. Most importantly, the dialog and characters are very true to life, which is always vital in making a "slice of life" story work. I remember having similar disputes with my older brother, with him acting superior, trying to show off to his friends at my expense, and so on, except we got along better than Sprig and Dakota do here. Still, just about everything that happens in this book, I could easily picture and totally relate to.
It's not just sibling issues, either, though they obviously play a large role in the story. There's other little things going on in Sprig's life, such as the interest an annoying boy takes in her best friend, and an upcoming party intended for older kids that Sprig is allowed to attend. There's also a few attempts to mix in some more serious issues, which I thought was a good idea. They're not expanded upon tremendously, but real life has its ups and downs, its light and heavy moments, and I think they were fit well into the story.
The present-tense narration is a little unexpected, and takes some getting used to, but I like it.
I'd recommend this book. It's not the Great American Novel by any means, but as a realistic yet light-hearted slice of life story, it's great for what it is.
February 11, 2014
The book Ten ways to make my sister disappear, by Norma Fox Mazer is about Sprig being jealous because her sister Dakota had already has everything, and Dakota always grins and calls her a baby which causes Sprig to wish Dakota would disappear. For example, "And I do not give you permission to write about me. Will do, Dakota says, and reaches for Sprig's paper. No!, Sprig yells. The inevitable happens, it rips. Sprig stares at the torn, wrinkled mess in front of her. And sweep her into into the wastebasket, before Mom even notices that her darling daughter was gone." But when her favorite neighbor is ill, she discovers Sprig that allies come in shapes and could related to her. This quote explains why Sprig wants her sister to disappear and what Dakota did to make Sprig wish her to disappear. I can infer that Sprig wants Dakota bacuse she's jealous becasue as a rule when you get pushed around and get bullied by a sibling, the person getting pushed around and get bullied would at least once want the sibling to disappear or something else. The claim connects to readers by trying to see if the reader have experience something like wish your sibling to disappear.
February 15, 2012
I liked a lot of the book but I wish the mother had defended the younger daughter against the older daughter's nasty comments--why do we assume outright meanness and nastiness are appropriate behavior for middle school girls? Otherwise, I thought the story rang true.
Sprig is 10; her sister is in 8th grade and rarely has anything approaching a civil tongue in her head when talking to Sprig. Mom is oblivious. Dad is on a business trip to Afghanistan although he calls each night. Sprig is worried about him, she's upset by her sister's behavior, and she has the normal early adolescent issues concerning best friends and boys. She loves dogs and chimpanzees and she tries to help her elderly neighbor when she can.
In the end, the older sister admits that Sprig is a good person but it takes Sprig's reaching out to her to effect the change.
The best person to read this would be younger sisters being bullied and tormented by older siblings and whose parents believe it's all just a phase.
Sprig is 10; her sister is in 8th grade and rarely has anything approaching a civil tongue in her head when talking to Sprig. Mom is oblivious. Dad is on a business trip to Afghanistan although he calls each night. Sprig is worried about him, she's upset by her sister's behavior, and she has the normal early adolescent issues concerning best friends and boys. She loves dogs and chimpanzees and she tries to help her elderly neighbor when she can.
In the end, the older sister admits that Sprig is a good person but it takes Sprig's reaching out to her to effect the change.
The best person to read this would be younger sisters being bullied and tormented by older siblings and whose parents believe it's all just a phase.
August 27, 2016
I read this book when I was in the fifth grade. It was recommended by a good friend. It was very entertaining, with lots of humor in it. It's only 168 pages, so you'll be finished with it in no time, but if your looking for something to read fairly quickly, you'll be quite satisfied. It is geared for the age of about 10-12.
10 Ways To Make My Sister disappear is about the relationship between Sprig and her older sister Dakota. Many people find their siblings annoying, and this book features just that.
10 Ways To Make My Sister disappear is about the relationship between Sprig and her older sister Dakota. Many people find their siblings annoying, and this book features just that.
September 19, 2013
This is a great book!!
January 8, 2018
Mazer, Norma Fox 10 Ways to Make My Sister Disappear, 160 p. . Scholastic. Language-G; Sexual Content-G; Violence-G;
Sprig, 10, gets mad because she is jealous of her older sister Dakota. Dakota is more trusted, more popular and Sprig feels that its all just because Dakota is older. Sprig makes a list – a list that has ten ideas of how to get rid of her sister. As the story progresses you learn that they both rely on one another for different things.
The author did a good job capturing the characters' moods. You can sense the emotion put into the book. I think that this book is good for a younger age level.
EL - ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: SH
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008...
Sprig, 10, gets mad because she is jealous of her older sister Dakota. Dakota is more trusted, more popular and Sprig feels that its all just because Dakota is older. Sprig makes a list – a list that has ten ideas of how to get rid of her sister. As the story progresses you learn that they both rely on one another for different things.
The author did a good job capturing the characters' moods. You can sense the emotion put into the book. I think that this book is good for a younger age level.
EL - ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: SH
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008...
April 5, 2022
What a wonderful story. My son and I read this book together! Sprig was such a spirited fun girl. I loved the drama and interaction between Dakota and Sprig - totally believable jealousy and bickering. It made me laugh because their insulting one another sounded so typical of my kids! Her emotions regarding her father's travel and upcoming trip to Afghanistan was heartwarming. Her uncertainty with Miss Ruthie's emergency was real. My son giggled at her list of ten ways to make Dakota go Poof. hahaha.
January 10, 2018
The book Ten ways to make my sister Disapper I will give it 4 stars because like how she tell you how to make a sister disapper and at the end of the book it make me sad because her friend make fun of her because she doesn’t like how they make fun at her frist.At the beginning of the book I didn’t really like it but when I got to the middle of the book I started liking the book because she not scared of anything like like talking about when her parents were getting divorced I really remembered this book I loved the book!
November 14, 2020
I read this for an annual reading challenge. It’s well written, interesting, has a good plot line, and teaches some good lessons, without overdoing it. I think late elementary/early middle school kids would enjoy this.
November 3, 2024
Mazer Walls #1
A decent yarn about growing up, facing issues in life and sibling rivalry.
Write well, although I would be a concerned parent is my ten year old was kissing lads.
Anyway a story with good characters and a good heart.
A decent yarn about growing up, facing issues in life and sibling rivalry.
Write well, although I would be a concerned parent is my ten year old was kissing lads.
Anyway a story with good characters and a good heart.
May 31, 2017
A short, sweet, gentle read that's light on plot and heavy on character. A good choice for kids who like Junonia by Kevin Henkes.
January 9, 2019
I was out of library books and just grabbed this children’s book off my shelves. It was quite entertaining and nice to read something so light-hearted once in a while.
May 30, 2019
Cute book that shows friendships, sibling rivalry, and sibling love.
Read
October 21, 2020I loved it! I just hope that when I'm older, my little sister won't think I'm that bad!
October 24, 2016
I liked this book OK. In the beginning, you meet Sprig and Dakota. Right off the bat you will figure out that they definitely don't get along, at all! You will also know that their dad leaves a lot because of his job. Sprig's mother wants sprig to stop crying so much. When Sprig and Dakota were little, they got along great but as soon as Dakota turned 13 she turned (as sprig would say) evil. later in the book Sprig and her best friend get in a fight. So when Dakota and Sprig attend a party a couple days later, Sprigs has a hard time getting the courage to apologize to bliss (her friend). That's definitely not all that goes on at the party, a boy kisses Sprig on both cheeks, Dakota's boyfriend kisses her best friend and turns out to be a jerk, and Sprig and Dakota make a special bond.
One character that changes throughout the book is Dakota. As i said before, she is not the nicest person (at least not toward Sprig). But in the book it says that she used to be nice and her and sprig used to get along just fine. most of the book Dakota is quite rude until about the very end. After Dakotas boyfriend kisses her BFF, Dakota has quite the breakdown. she cries ( which is not normal for Dakota) under the table in the kitchen, when Sprig start to talk to Dakota and she starts explaining why she is crying they create a special bond. So later in the book they are nice to each other and are good siblings.
Some things i like/dislike about the book are, the way the author rambles on and on, the author kinda says things that either don't make sense or are unnecessary. But I think the author still did a wonderful job! I also don't like how she made Dakota hang out with a bad influence (as said in the book) because Dakota is really a nice and good person. But i do think that made it kind of interesting. One thing I do love about the book is how I could relate to the characters and how realistic it is. Overall I think this is a good book.
One character that changes throughout the book is Dakota. As i said before, she is not the nicest person (at least not toward Sprig). But in the book it says that she used to be nice and her and sprig used to get along just fine. most of the book Dakota is quite rude until about the very end. After Dakotas boyfriend kisses her BFF, Dakota has quite the breakdown. she cries ( which is not normal for Dakota) under the table in the kitchen, when Sprig start to talk to Dakota and she starts explaining why she is crying they create a special bond. So later in the book they are nice to each other and are good siblings.
Some things i like/dislike about the book are, the way the author rambles on and on, the author kinda says things that either don't make sense or are unnecessary. But I think the author still did a wonderful job! I also don't like how she made Dakota hang out with a bad influence (as said in the book) because Dakota is really a nice and good person. But i do think that made it kind of interesting. One thing I do love about the book is how I could relate to the characters and how realistic it is. Overall I think this is a good book.
November 17, 2012
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Sprig is only ten years old - but she has a ton of problems.
For one, her dad just left to go to Washington, D.C., on a business trip. Sprig absolutely hates it when her dad has to go away because she knows she will miss him every minute of the day. This time is worse then before, however, since he will be gone for six weeks.
Then there is Sprig's pesky older sister, Dakota, who thinks that because she just turned twelve, she can be the boss of Sprig. Always correcting Sprig, stealing her questions, and getting to talk to their dad first whenever he calls annoys Sprig very much.
It gets worse when Dakota befriends the very mean Krsytee, who Sprig knows is a bad influence on her sister.
What's Sprig to do to cope with her sibling situation? She comes up with a list of ten possible ways of Dakota disappearing. The list includes baking her sister into a cookie and crunching Dakota if she was a cucumber.
Sprig's adventures continue when she finds out her father has to travel all the way to another country that she knows isn't safe, she becomes a hero, a boy enters her life, problems with her best friend stir up, and she discovers that maybe her sister isn't so bad after all!
TEN WAYS TO MAKE MY SISTER DISAPPEAR was a very quick and easy read that contained so many wonderful events that made this novel heartwarming and well worth reading. Any child who has a family member away from home or a bossy older sibling can easily relate to what Sprig is going through. Mazer creates a story that the whole family can enjoy before bedtime.
The book definitely exceeded my expectations, and once it is read, you will definitely want more of Sprig!
Sprig is only ten years old - but she has a ton of problems.
For one, her dad just left to go to Washington, D.C., on a business trip. Sprig absolutely hates it when her dad has to go away because she knows she will miss him every minute of the day. This time is worse then before, however, since he will be gone for six weeks.
Then there is Sprig's pesky older sister, Dakota, who thinks that because she just turned twelve, she can be the boss of Sprig. Always correcting Sprig, stealing her questions, and getting to talk to their dad first whenever he calls annoys Sprig very much.
It gets worse when Dakota befriends the very mean Krsytee, who Sprig knows is a bad influence on her sister.
What's Sprig to do to cope with her sibling situation? She comes up with a list of ten possible ways of Dakota disappearing. The list includes baking her sister into a cookie and crunching Dakota if she was a cucumber.
Sprig's adventures continue when she finds out her father has to travel all the way to another country that she knows isn't safe, she becomes a hero, a boy enters her life, problems with her best friend stir up, and she discovers that maybe her sister isn't so bad after all!
TEN WAYS TO MAKE MY SISTER DISAPPEAR was a very quick and easy read that contained so many wonderful events that made this novel heartwarming and well worth reading. Any child who has a family member away from home or a bossy older sibling can easily relate to what Sprig is going through. Mazer creates a story that the whole family can enjoy before bedtime.
The book definitely exceeded my expectations, and once it is read, you will definitely want more of Sprig!
May 26, 2008
Ok, yes, I'm an adult who reads kids' books--I'm a teacher; I can't help it. In any case, this book caught my eye as a younger sister who can relate to an extremely annoying older sister such as the protagonist in this story has. Interestingly, it's written in the present tense, which can be distracting at times (especially in a read aloud) but overall doesn't detract from the quality of the story.
It's a fresh "contemporary" realistic fiction written with a voice that reflects its 10-year-old protagonist and keeps the action moving throughout the story line. However, I was disappointed with the somewhat hackneyed ending and could see that resolution coming from about 10 chapters before the end.
This book shows some interesting stylistic choices, like having the page numbers run across the bottom of the page with the current one highlighted in darker print, and some of the protagonist's hand-written information displayed "authentically" as if her actual writing was contained in the book.
Overall, it's fairly well written and will make a fun read for fourth-fifth graders or other 20-somethings who just can't stay away from kids books. Not exceedingly stunning, but it doesn't hurt to read a mediocre book occasionally...as long as you don't make a habit of it!
It's a fresh "contemporary" realistic fiction written with a voice that reflects its 10-year-old protagonist and keeps the action moving throughout the story line. However, I was disappointed with the somewhat hackneyed ending and could see that resolution coming from about 10 chapters before the end.
This book shows some interesting stylistic choices, like having the page numbers run across the bottom of the page with the current one highlighted in darker print, and some of the protagonist's hand-written information displayed "authentically" as if her actual writing was contained in the book.
Overall, it's fairly well written and will make a fun read for fourth-fifth graders or other 20-somethings who just can't stay away from kids books. Not exceedingly stunning, but it doesn't hurt to read a mediocre book occasionally...as long as you don't make a habit of it!
August 20, 2009
Hmmmm. I have mixed feelings on this one. On the positive side, it was a simple, easy to read, enjoyable story, that briefly addressed some meaningful issues, such as the Taliban's banning of girls in schools and the signs of a stroke. Well, now that I am writing this, maybe that's just my problem with it - the storylines on these two important topics just didn't fit that well into an otherwise breezy little read. They were certainly underdeveloped, almost glossed-over... kind of "Jack of all trades, master of none" syndrome in book form. Perhaps I'm just expecting too much of a book aimed at 9 year olds! Overall, I really did like reading this book, and find the attempt to discuss the situation in Afghanistan admirable.
October 11, 2008
1: Dakota steps onto an ice floe in the antartic... and drifts off
2:Judge judy sends her to the slammer for stealing my question
3:if she were paper,oh so many choices! crumple! rumple! tear and toss!:)
4:like smoke, she rizes into the air and poof.....
5:she's a cucumber, and i crunch her!
6:i blink, blink, blink her into a watery puddle!
7:bake her lilke a cookie!
8:float her out into the ocean on a raft
9:put her in a hot air balloon and send it arond the world
10:juice her like an orange and drink her down
2:Judge judy sends her to the slammer for stealing my question
3:if she were paper,oh so many choices! crumple! rumple! tear and toss!:)
4:like smoke, she rizes into the air and poof.....
5:she's a cucumber, and i crunch her!
6:i blink, blink, blink her into a watery puddle!
7:bake her lilke a cookie!
8:float her out into the ocean on a raft
9:put her in a hot air balloon and send it arond the world
10:juice her like an orange and drink her down
April 9, 2016
Sprig is 10 years old and her sister Dakota is 12. Dakota used to be nice to Sprig, but not anymore, so Sprig likes to think up ways for Dakota to disappear. Their Dad is always away for work, and they have an elderly neighbour who has a dog that Sprig loves. Sprig and Dakota each have a best friend they share their secrets with and they are starting to think about boys more.
It’s a cute book. Sprig grows up a little bit throughout the book. I think pre-teen girls would like this book.
It’s a cute book. Sprig grows up a little bit throughout the book. I think pre-teen girls would like this book.
September 2, 2013
I found the name "Sprig" annoying. Why couldn't the main character just be called by her regular name. I didn't feel that added anything to the story... I did not really get the transition between the first part of the book (which was OK) and the second part (which was better). I also did not enjoy the writing style, which seemed awkward at times. I would really give the first part of the book a 2.5 and the second part a 3.5...
February 4, 2016
Sprig, 10, and her older sister Dakota, 12, have the typical sibling relationship. Dakota lords her maturity over Sprig, and Sprig wishes her big sister would conveniently disappear, like smoke into the sky. But the two still need each other while Dad is away in Afghanistan, when best friends let them down, and when cute boys disappoint. This may be a young chapter book but there is plenty of plot and density to the family situation and sibling dynamics.
March 13, 2008
Sprig is in elementary school and has an older sister, Dakota, who is a know-it-all. Her dad is an engineer contractor who goes to Afghanistan to build schools. Another coming-of-age book about friends, family, boys, and cliques. I didn't really like the writing style, but all around pretty good.
October 19, 2008
Sprig and her sister, Dakota, have a typical sisterly relationship. There's a lot of teasing, harassing and general snide behavior. Sprig is highly sensitive and terribly upset when her father leaves to go to Afghanistan to build schools for girls. Boys, friends and parties - Mazer covers all of the most important middle school topics.
June 21, 2009
I liked this story because it kind of relates to me except its vice-versa. I bet my sister agrees with this book if she read this book because the older sister is like me. Obsessed with polka dots like me. (not really.) A funny story. It makes you realize that no matter how much older or meaner you are it doesn't mean you don't have fears or worries.
August 12, 2009
One of the easier reads of the 2010 Battle of the Books. This is a book any child with a sibling (especially an older one) will relate to. Sprig alternately loves and hates her older sister. But, the underlying message is that no matter what, family is what matters.
Just one question- why put the word "boobs" in a book written at the third grade level?
Just one question- why put the word "boobs" in a book written at the third grade level?
February 16, 2016
My (middle child) daughter and I got this at our school's Scholastic Book Fair. We read it together. There were a few parts she laughed out and loud and a few parts I was seriously questioning why the author chose to include something in a childrens book. Just ok. 2.5 stars
http://cranberryfries.blogspot.com/20...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews