Review: Oh Brother by Georgina Chadderton

Adelaide author/illustrator Geogina Chadderton's graphic memoir tells two stories. The first is of their experiences of life with a younger brother, Rob, who has autism and an intellectual disability. The second is of their experiences of moving to a new house and starting high school, and the anxieties that go with that, particularly where friendships are concerned. And, unsurprisingly, both things intersect.

This was a compelling read. Like many graphic memoirs, this one is just as interesting for readers who are adults as it will no doubt be for children. It offers a genuine insight into the difficulties faced by kids like Georgina--of having a younger brother that she loves dearly, but whose behaviour can be a lot for a kid to deal with. One scene in particular stands out when she reacts after seeing Rob behaving violently toward their mum. Meanwhile, starting high school brings anxieties of its own that many readers will be able to relate to. Georgina has an excellent friend in Callie, but for one thing. While Georgina has a strong sense of routine, Callie isn't exactly the most punctual of people. She often forgets to charge her phone or to send a message, which leads Georgina to become fearful that her friend is no longer interested. The most interesting chapter that shows the dynamic between the pair is the one where they work on a Science project together. Rob destroys the poster that Georgina has made, leading to her being too anxious to explain what happened, which leads to drama ... though everything works out in the end. What I love about this is the way that the author absolutely captures the nature of friendship anxieties at that age, particularly for kids who do not fit in.

Also a special mention for the fact that the author is from Adelaide and writes about the southern suburbs. I loved the depiction of Brighton Beach, Foodland and Brighton Library.

Overall, a beautifully done graphic memoir that is suitable for all ages.

Highly recommended. 

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