Twins

Starred review from October 1, 2020

Gr 3-7-The start of sixth grade has not been smooth sailing for identical twins Francine and Maureen Carter, who are both Black. Francine, "the talker," is eager for new challenges and experiences and more time away from her sister/best-friend-oh, and she goes by "Fran" now, please. Meanwhile, Maureen, "the thinker," misses dressing alike and having all her classes with her twin, and is especially intimidated by the lunchroom and Cadet Corp. When Maureen discovers that the girls' separate classes are due not to a scheduling error but to Francine's interference, her anger spurs her to action and she challenges her sister by running against her for student council president. As the girls develop campaign strategies and try to best each other, will they permanently ruin the bond they once had? The twins' transforming relationship captures all the fraught possibilities of adolescence-the fear of change and the excitement of potential. A fully realized array of friends and family who help with (and occasionally add to) the drama create a world that readers will wish they were a part of. Wright's colorful artwork brings this endearing cast of characters to life with a dynamic range of expressiveness that suits the story's emotional highs and lows and many warm laughs. VERDICT A must-read for middle grade comics lovers. Expect high demand from fans of comics like those by Svetlana Chmakova, Jerry Craft, and Raina Telgemeier.-Darla Salva Cruz, Suffolk Cooperative Lib. Syst., Bellport, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 26, 2020
Maureen and Francine are sixth graders and Black identical twins about to embark on their first day at O’Connor Middle School. For the first time ever, the two don’t share the same schedule or the same activities—Maureen is in Cadet Corps, while Francine looks forward to new experiences and spends time in an after-school program. Francine is determined to strike out on her own outside of their shared twin identity, but Maureen, who doesn’t mind their similarities, isn’t as confident in making new friends. Even their previously shared friend group is being pulled in different directions—not that Francine notices. When Maureen decides to run against Francine as her only competitor for student council president, the election’s high stakes sweep them up, resulting in slander campaigns, poster defacement, and high tensions at family dinner. Johnson’s (The Parker Inheritance) graphic novel debut depicts a realistic and relatable sister relationship alongside a close-knit family’s bond. Combined with Wright’s simple yet expressive art style, it’s an engaging read that speaks to worries of burgeoning self-identity and tween change. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12.

July 1, 2020
It's the first day of sixth grade for the identical Carter twins, and while Maureen is more than content to face the year with her sister the way they always have -- together -- Francine is ready for a change. Differing class schedules provide Francine with hopes for autonomy, and Maureen with anxiety. Separated from her sister and core friend group, Maureen has no desire to build the self-confidence everyone claims she needs until she is threatened with a less-than-stellar grade in her Youth Cadet Corps class. For extra credit, Maureen runs for president of the student council, with only one obstacle/opposing candidate in her way -- Francine. Known as the "talker" as opposed to the "thinker," Francine has her own reasons for running for office, and -- to the chagrin of a well-rounded cast of family and friends -- a contentious political season threatens the peace in the Carter household. The story is told largely in Maureen's voice (her narration appears in rectangular boxes), and judicious use of speech bubbles, white space, and varying perspectives moves this graphic novel along without being obtrusive. Johnson and Wright have expertly teamed up to create a relatable story for all middle schoolers, with distinct reminders -- from hair bonnets to an incident of discrimination in a shopping mall -- that a majority of the characters are Black. Fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft will appreciate the Carter twins' attempts to maneuver their way through middle school and the political process while learning to act with civility and, above all, as sisters.

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from November 1, 2020
It's the first day of sixth grade for the identical Carter twins, and while Maureen is more than content to face the year with her sister the way they always have -- together -- Francine is ready for a change. Differing class schedules provide Francine with hopes for autonomy, and Maureen with anxiety. Separated from her sister and core friend group, Maureen has no desire to build the self-confidence everyone claims she needs until she is threatened with a less-than-stellar grade in her Youth Cadet Corps class. For extra credit, Maureen runs for president of the student council, with only one obstacle/opposing candidate in her way -- Francine. Known as the "talker" as opposed to the "thinker," Francine has her own reasons for running for office, and -- to the chagrin of a well-rounded cast of family and friends -- a contentious political season threatens the peace in the Carter household. The story is told largely in Maureen's voice (her narration appears in rectangular boxes), and judicious use of speech bubbles, white space, and varying perspectives moves this graphic novel along without being obtrusive. Johnson and Wright have expertly teamed up to create a relatable story for all middle schoolers, with distinct reminders -- from hair bonnets to an incident of discrimination in a shopping mall -- that a majority of the characters are Black. Fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft will appreciate the Carter twins' attempts to maneuver their way through middle school and the political process while learning to act with civility and, above all, as sisters. Eboni Njoku

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)