(2) 4-6 Lai (recently Ghost Book, rev. 9/23) crafts a unique and humorous graphic novel based on her recollection of events (with some names and details altered, per an author's note) surrounding her and her siblings' bout with chickenpox. Set in 1994 Indonesia, the tale is related from a surprising first-person viewpoint: that of her oldest sister, Abby. At twelve, Abby finds little peace at home with four little brothers and sisters constantly quarreling and demanding attention. School, piano lessons, and going over to friends' houses provide brief relief from the chaos. Then all the Lai children come down with chickenpox, and Abby is forced to spend a week in "the zoo." Home confinement is stressful: the rash is itchy, her siblings are annoying, and friendship drama ensues over a misunderstanding involving a birthday party. But as the story (and the pox) progresses, the tween begins to see her family in a new light -- and to mature into her role as a more caring big sister and better friend. An entertaining and ultimately heartening slice-of-life comic, illustrated with inviting pastel hues and an approachable loose-lined style, that will appeal to fans of Telgemeier's Guts (rev. 9/19) and Lloyd's Squished (rev. 5/23).

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 In this graphic novel memoir, thirteen-year-old Jimmy was a basketball star and top student until an untimely bout of chicken pox caused him to miss his team's championship game and a ton of school. As Jimmy's grades began to slide, his love of drawing grew. Jimmy is a likable kid, and the visuals are strong. Tween readers will fall for Gownley's story.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(4) 4-6 With Paul Mantell. Excitement reigns at Hidden Valley Junior High with the football team's state championship game approaching. In their fourth book, ninth-grade twins Tiki and Ronde are playing their best until chicken pox sidelines them. Despite the heavily laid-on message about teamwork making victory possible, the story will appeal to sports enthusiasts and fans of the real-life NFL brothers.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(2) K-3 I Can Read Book series. The third in this series, the story opens with Grandpa and Grandma Spanielson caring for their grandpup, Barney, sick with the chicken pox. Grandpa tells another outlandish story, and Cazet signals the narrative switch with a stylistic change in illustrations. He then continues to introduce increasingly sophisticated reading demands. With Barney on the road to recovery, fans may wish for a relapse.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007

(2) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Grandpa Spanielson tells his sick grandpup one of his "famous anti-itch Chicken Pox Stories"--an adventurous yarn about a swashbuckling swordfish fight with a giant octopus. In this ambitious start to a new I Can Read series, Cazet helps readers with the story-within-a-story format by providing plenty of visual clues to signal the change from the sickbed to the anti-itch story.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2005

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Sally Gardner. In her heavily illustrated journal, Polly writes about having to postpone her birthday celebration when she comes down with chicken pox. From start to finish, Polly's world is self-centered and melodramatic. By the end of the book, however, she is healthy, has two new pet kittens, and has a late birthday party. The book is slight but a quick read for those new to chapter books.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) PS The young narrator's friend, Daisy, is confined to her house with the chicken pox for a week. The slight tale, illustrated with playful watercolor pictures, emphasizes counting. Each day the boy sends special treats to Daisy in care of his stuffed animals (who, in the illustrations, come to life): one letter, two bunches of flowers, three coloring books, four apples, and so on.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) K-3 Poor Vera has spots everywhere, "even between her toes and inside her ears." While the words capture her unhappiness and isolation, the pictures counter with playful animation and humor; for instance, Vera's toy bunny comically mimics the process of her recovery. Any child who's ever been sick and confined to bed will find this book right on the mark.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 1998