Bibliography: Pearce, Jackson. (2010). Sisters Red. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780316068680
Plot Summary: The only thing that Scarlett March loves more than her sister Rosie is hunting and killing the Fernis or werewolves. As children, a werewolf killed their grandmother and took Scarlett’s eye as she defended and protected Rosie. With the help of Silas, the neighboring woodsman’s son, they determine that there is a Potential, a human who can be turned, nearby, and move to Atlanta in hopes of trapping as many werewolves as possible when they find him. Rosie longs for a life outside of hunting, and she and Silas feel forced to hide their romance from Scarlett. But it is Silas’s hidden secret that may destroy them all.
Critical Analysis: This is less a retelling and more a re-imagining or expansion of the familiar Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. Pearce does an excellent job of building the world of the March sisters and setting the rules for the Fernis (werewolves.) The sisters’ grandmother is dead, Silas’s father is going senile, so there is no one for them to turn to and they are forced to figure it out and fight for themselves. a typical set up for a young adult novel. Throw in Scarlett’s obsession with her cause, Rosie’s longing for a new life, a romance of stolen moments and a huge secret and you’ve got a recipe for a novel that teens, especially girls, will gulp down before coming to ask if there will be a sequel. The gorgeous eye catching cover doesn’t hurt either. I’m sure I could be nit picky, I mean, do we really need to read so many long drawn out fight scenes? Do the characters need to spend so much time on research or visiting the grocery store? In the end, I was just happy to be swept along by the story, and I think most readers will as well.
Review Excerpts: “Hints of a dark Little Red Riding Hood in today’s often violent world as one young woman wages a never-ending war against those whom most will view as sexual predators.”–Children’s Literature
“Pearce modernizes the story of Little Red Riding Hood, creating a novel filled with bravery, romance and loyalty….teens who savor the supernatural will enjoy this suspenseful tale.”–VOYA
“Pearce is on the mark with this modern-day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood….this well-written, high-action adventure grabs readers and never lets go. Rosie and Scarlett are true heroines; smart, tough, and determined…A satisfying read with a fantastic cover.”–School Library
“Despite plenty of gore and werewolf transformations, it’s the compelling love stories that drive the tale—the sisters’ affection for each other, the first breathless flush of infatuation between Rosie and Silas, and Scarlett’s love of the hunt.”–Booklist
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