Praise for Twins:
National Indie Bestseller
Junior Library Guild Selection
NPR Best Book
Washington Post Best Children's Book
Kirkus Reviews Best Book
Horn Book Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
Booklist Best Book for Youth
Barnes & Noble Best Book
Today.com Best Book for Kids, Tweens, and Teens
Nerdist Best Comic
Chicago Public Library Best Book
University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Best Book for Young Readers
Cooperative Children's Book Center Best Book
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book
Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Award Winner
American Library Association Top 10 Best Graphic Novel for Children
YALSA Great Graphic Novels Selection
Recipient of five starred reviews
★ "Wright's artwork, crisp and colorful, does a masterful job of tracking the twins's emotional arcs through expressive composition, and Johnson's impeccable pacing keeps things moving while still making room for rich development. A beautiful reflection on sisterhood and coming of age that belongs in every collection." Booklist, starred review
★ "The sibling bond is palpable and precious as each conflict and triumph pushes them apart or pulls them together.... A touching, relatable story of identity, sisterhood, and friendship." Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "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." School Library Journal, starred review
★ "Johnson and Wright have expertly teamed up to create a relatable story for all middle schoolers." The Horn Book, starred review
★ "An engaging read that speaks to worries of burgeoning self-identity and tween change." Publishers Weekly, starred review
"There is so much happening in the world. Many of our young people are feeling uncertain and anxious. Young readers need a friend, a special buddy, to help them navigate this new norm. This book is a comforting companion." The New York Times Book Review
"Has all the hallmarks of the kind of books that become timeless classics. If there's any justice in the world, kids will be reading Twins for decades." Nerdist
“Its story about learning how to maintain a healthy relationship with siblings as you grow older and pursue different interests should be relevant to anyone who has experienced that.” Entertainment Weekly
Praise for the Twins Audiobook:
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
American Library Association Notable Children's Recording
"A full cast brings this middle-grade graphic novel to life... The story is told from Maureen's point of view, and Ahnya O'Riordan's youthful voice captures her anxieties about change and her frustration with her sisterwhich manifest in her decision to also run for class president. Sound effects and upbeat music add to scenes in bustling school hallways, at the mall, and at the dinner table with the girls' supportive family." AudioFile
★ 10/01/2020
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
★ 2020-08-18
Sixth grade presents new challenges for the Carter twins.
It’s the first day of school, and African American identical twins Maureen and Francine Carter are having mixed feelings. Maureen is nervous about middle school: She has a new confusing schedule, cadet corps, and, worst of all, classes without Francine. She worries that middle school will swallow her alive. Francine, however, is looking forward to everything sixth grade can offer. She can’t wait to be in new surroundings, try new classes, and grab new opportunities to shine, like joining the student council race. Outgoing Francine is all set to start campaigning, but when Maureen decides to run as well, it threatens to tear the two apart. As Francine pushes to stand out, Maureen yearns to fit in, and neither sees eye to eye. Johnson, in his first graphic novel, encapsulates the rocky transition from the comfort of elementary school to the new and sometimes-scary world of middle school. The sibling bond is palpable and precious as each conflict and triumph pushes them apart or pulls them together. Wright’s illustrations fill the pages with vibrancy and emotion. The diverse student body, careful touches in the Carter home, and background elements in the mall scenes stand out for their warmth, humor, and realism. The small details that differentiate Maureen and Francine, while maintaining their mirrored features, are delightful.
A touching, relatable story of identity, sisterhood, and friendship. (Graphic fiction. 10-14)