Twins
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It is estimated that twins makes up approximately 1.9 percent of the world's population, so while it's unlikely that everyone knows a set of twins, we may think we know all about them. Heck, don't television twins like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Zach and Cody Martin give us all the clues? The twins in these titles live much less glamorous lives, and readers will discover that there's more to the twin connection than similar looks and a shared birthday.
BUTLER, Dori. Do You Know the Monkey Man? Peachtree. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-340-5.
Gr 5-8-Samantha, 13, is obsessing about her twin sister who drowned 10 years ago while canoeing with the girls' father. When T.J. died, their father deserted the family. But now Sam isn't so sure her sister is really dead, and decides to get some answers. A trip to a psychic leads her on a journey full of emotional twists and turns that will keep readers thoroughly engaged. Butler's sequel, Yes I Know the Monkey Man (Peachtree, 2009), picks up where this story leaves off, but from the perspective of T.J.
KEHRET, Peg. Runaway Twin. Dutton. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42177-1; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-14-241849-9.
Gr 5-7-Sunny and her twin, Starr, were separated when they were three years old. A veteran of seven foster homes, Sunny has not had an easy life, and her thoughts dwell on finding her sister. When she finds a bag of money, Sunny decides to track down the only person she thinks can make her happy. Her cross-country trip is filled with adventures that will keep even reluctant readers flipping the pages.
MULLER, Rachel Dunstan. The Solstice Cup. Orca. 2009. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-017-6.
Gr 6-9-Thirteen-year-old twins Mackenzie and Breanne have no idea how close they are to the fairy world when visiting Ireland. Their last trip there resulted in Breanne mysteriously crippling one leg, but her resolve to ignore local folklore gets both girls ensnared in the Otherworld where pixies and fairies battle for turf. Just scary enough, this title is a good introduction to fairy fantasy.
STURTEVANT, Katherine. The Brothers Story. Farrar. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-30992-3.
Gr 8 Up-Set in England in 1684, The Brothers Story involves a twin who decides to leave his simple-minded brother behind and head to London to find work. While Kit's life improves, he finds himself haunted by the question "Is he, or is he not, his brother's keeper?" Rich in historical detail, including the use of period language.
