Twins

To me, Twins is an instant middle grade classic. It explores the relationship between two twin girls who are starting to be interested in different things after having spent years being on the same exact page.

I love that this book shows how people can approach creativity and life in different ways, most notably through a school campaign the two twins find themselves running in against each other. I think it’s a good reminder that we’re always changing and evolving, and while it can be scary, it’s ultimately worth embracing those changes. 

This is a touching story of two sisters who are changing and, in some ways, growing apart as they figure out who they are. Their rivalry as they both run for class president is realistic, and while it brings out some of the worst aspects of themselves and tears them apart, it also ultimately helps bring them back together but now with a better understanding of appreciation of each other. This story is layered, and the characters are so well developed. Even when things get difficult, these girls keep fighting to win but also to be themselves. 

Twins is an original story that features the conflict between twin sisters as they both run for school president. There’s no simple or quick resolution to family disagreements and this book doesn’t try to give it one. The sisters learn from their parents, learn from each other, and ultimately learn more about themselves. I love honesty and complexity; this graphic novel doesn’t avoid either one.

What happens when twins —who have been best friends forever— are not ready to become two separate individuals at the same time. Maureen has a hard time accepting that her sister, Francine, is changing. She feels left behind. This is making the start of sixth grade rough for both girls, especially as they’ve both decided to run for student council president and are now competing with each other. 

I found both girls endearing, their different personalities well defined, their competitive weeks during campaigning totally believable. I really loved the parents and the general family atmosphere, as well as the various… show more.