Devin and His Shape-Shifting Sister Book Comparisons

To get a taste of Devin and His Shape-Shifting Sister, read the book comparisons below.

1. Alvin Ho by LeUyen Pham

2008  Publisher: Schwartz & Wade books an imprint of Random House Children’s Books

• Fear
• Self-Help/Personal Growth/Self-esteem
• Friendship
• Emotions/feelings
• Social issues
• Psychology/Emotions

Similarities:

Dealing with fear and its effect on decision-making (in school, esp.); violence (a punching); bullying; quirky behaviors; humorous; voices-funny; loves super heroes

Differences: Devin doesn’t have an issue speaking in school, but his fear is more of paranoia; verbal strength

2. Shredderman: Secret Identity (series) by Wendelin Van Draanen

2004 Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

• Bullies/Juvenile Fiction
• Comics/Superheroes
• Teasing
• Humorous stories
• Social issues

Similarities:

Nolan – math genius, yet can’t keep shoes tied (has huge gap between intelligence and organization/physical abilities)

Differences:

Nolan is called ‘nerd’ whereas Devin is called ‘weird’

3. Big Nate Series by Lincoln Peirce

2010 Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers

• Behavior
• Juvenile fiction/humorous stories
• Social issues-friendship

Similarities:

Both characters have a problem with organization, detention; have a goal of ‘surpassing all others’ (though Dev’s is really his sister); humorous; same audience; Nate calls himself ‘awesome’, Dev compares himself to geniuses ‘Michelangelo,’ ‘Divinci.’

Differences:

Nate is not sibling-targeted; Dev not written as a comic (but he’s a great comic-writer); Devin has superior verbal abilities; Nate not disability- related

4. Rules by Cynthia Lord

2006  Publisher: Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

• Autism
• Brothers and sisters
• Social issues-special needs

Similarities:

You can compare this book to Callie’s perspective living w/Devin (constant embarrassment)

Differences:

From a different perspective; not seen through the eyes of the autistic child

5. Troublemaker by Andrew Clements

2011  Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

• School issues – friendship
• Behavior
• Family-siblings

Similarities:

Office visits; getting in trouble

Differences:

Poor choice making not so much disability-related

6. Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford

2009  Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group

• Family/siblings
• Halloween
• Social issues – self-esteem & self-reliance
• Juvenile fiction/comics & graphic novels

Similarities:

In the shadow of older sibling; Halloween reference; Comic book interest

Differences:

Not disability-related; Devin not interested in being a hero, just wants to “win” over sister

7. Roscoe Riley Rules (series) by Katherine Applegate

#1 Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs 2008  Publisher: Harper Trophy, registered trademark of HarperCollins Publishers

• Bullies
• Humorous stories
• Juvenile fiction/school & education

Similarities:

Convinces himself bully stole toy (like Devin convinces himself sister is a shape-shifter)

Differences:

Target is different – bully vs. sister; not disability-related

8. Justin Case by Rachel Vail

2010  Publisher: A Feiwel and Friends Book, an imprint of Macmillan

• Social issues – emotions & feelings
• Worry
• Humorous stories

Similarities:

Boy growing up, becoming a bit braver (more enlightened); soccer references; a worrier

Differences:

Devin is not writing journal entries to reader, but recalls of his entries into his ‘Book of Mysterious Events’ while the events took place

9. Journal of a Schoolyard Bully – Notes on Noogies, Wet Willies, and Wedgies  by Farley Katz  2011  Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

• Humorous Stories
• Bullies
• Juvenile Fiction/Comics & Graphic Novels

Similarities:

Bullying is an issue within story

Differences:

He’s not the bully, so much, but rather is a target due to by-product of his behavior (as well as dealing with those common bullies in school); not disability-related

10. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

2003  Publisher: Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York

• Autism
• Social issues

Similarities:

The autism or way of thinking greatly affects choices of character; neither book explicitly says ‘autism’; inner workings of autistic mind; written from point of view of character w/all their quirks and still make them lovable

Differences:

Dev is for younger audience; Dev has lighter tone; The Curious… does label with ‘Asperger’s syndrome’ (which is the same thing…); targets are different (sister and dog)

11. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

2007  Publisher: Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS

• Family life
• Humorous stories/juvenile fiction
• Comics & graphic novels

Similarities:

Some mean humor (Devin has a sarcastic-negative tone toward others); lack of physical skills (clumsiness)

Differences:

Not disability-related; Devin’s outlook is altered by his way of thinking;