With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei

by Justina Chen

Overview

Award-winning author Justina Chen delivers a powerful and heartfelt novel about a young girl who accidentally discovers she has an identical twin sister. This uplifting novel about reunited adoptee sisters experiencing new family traditions, foods, and customs together is perfect for fans of Janae Marks, Kelly Yang, and Meg Medina. Dive into a nuanced portrayal of the transracial, transnational adoptee experience, including the joys and the sorrows within the wide spectrum of experiences as an adoptee.

On Dessie Mei Breedlove’s first day at a new school in the middle of her sixth-grade year, who does she see? A classmate who looks exactly like her. As in: Dessie and Donna Lee have the exact same glossy black hair. The exact same brown eyes. The exact same cheeky smile.

A secret DNA test reveals the shocking truth: Dessie and Donna are identical twins, adopted from the same orphanage in China, then separated into two different families: one white, the other Taiwanese American. The Breedloves and the Lees.

Making up for lost time, the girls throw themselves into their newfound sisterhood, relishing every similarity. Cats or dogs (dogs!). Sweet or savory (both!). Favorite band (A2Z, duh!). But the small differences between the girls soon create tension…and when crisis strikes, Dessie must figure out who she is, where she belongs, and what it truly means to be a sister.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063306523
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	367,020
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 5.80(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Justina Chen is the award-winning author of several young adult novels, including Lovely, Dark, and Deep and North of Beautiful. With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei is her middle grade debut. She lives in Seattle, Washington. You can visit her at justinachen.com. 

Editorial Reviews

Justina Chen is such a welcome voice in middle grade literature! With her engaging writing, readers will discover that America’s promise is for all of us.” — Grace Lin, Newbery Honor winning author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

"When fate delivers a shocking surprise, Dessie's life is turned-upside down. Family and friendship are tested in this wonderful heartfelt novel about what it means to belong." — Lisa Yee, Newbery Honor Winner

"Universal themes of identity and belonging radiate in this exploration of international transracial adoption." — Kirkus Reviews

"This moving novel carries a powerful message about the meaning of family and the importance of community. Highly recommended." — School Library Journal (starred review)

From the Publisher

★ 05/17/2024

Gr 3–7—On her first day at her new school in Seattle, 11-year-old Dessie meets a girl named Donna who not only looks exactly like her but shares the same birthday. They were also adopted from the same orphanage in China; Dessie by a white family, and Donna by a Taiwanese American one. A secret DNA test reveals the shocking truth that they are actually twins, but Donna's grandmother Amah disapproves of outspoken Dessie and forbids their relationship. Feeling distant from her adoptive family, and ignorant of her biological family and culture, Dessie struggles to understand who she is and where she belongs. But when Amah is the victim of an anti-Asian hate crime, Dessie finds that the values she has learned from her adoptive family, especially her activist Granny, can help build a community where everyone belongs. Rich with emotional and cultural details, and complex characters, this novel is a poignant portrayal of an adoptive family's struggle to navigate issues of identity and belonging. Dessie loves her parents but is frustrated that they don't really understand her need to learn more about her roots, while worrying that they will regret adopting her. Set against the backdrop of a wave of anti-Asian hate crimes, the book captures the conflict Dessie's family faces between keeping their daughter safe, and allowing her speak out against discrimination and bigotry. VERDICT This moving novel carries a powerful message about the meaning of family and the importance of community. Highly recommended for all collections.—Ashley Larsen

School Library Journal

2024-04-05
A spirited girl processes challenging feelings around change, grief, identity, family, and adoption, all triggered by her family’s move.

Dessie Mei Breedlove has already experienced one momentous transition: from an orphanage in China to her white American adoptive home. Now she must transfer schools in the middle of sixth grade. She knows that they’ve moved to Seattle to help Grammy, who’s struggling with dementia, but she’d still rather have stayed put. Dessie’s first day in her new school starts off with kids confusing her with another Asian girl. But when Dessie gets a good look at Donna Lee, she realizes it’s not just another microaggression—it’s like looking in the mirror. Could the girls be twins separated at birth? As they navigate this unusual situation, Dessie and Donna quickly bond, but before long, cultural differences threaten their relationship (Donna’s adoptive family is Taiwanese). On top of that, Dessie faces bullying friend drama, racism, and imposter syndrome, plus her mother’s insecurities. Thankfully, connections with caring adults and her own introspection help her accept herself and use her voice to make “good trouble.” The sheer number of issues packed into this volume could be overwhelming, but the storyline is clear, thanks to well-crafted writing. Many tweens will relate to Dessie’s turbulent emotions and insecurities and her experimentation with various personalities. Readers will root for her as she grows.

Universal themes of identity and belonging radiate in this exploration of international transracial adoption. (author’s note, resources and further reading) (Fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews