Troubletwister #2: The Monster

Jaide and Jack, 12-year-old twins, and their parents are living with the mysterious Grandma X. Mum has no idea that the twins have inherited special powers from their father and his mother. In the second title (Scholastic, 2012) in the series by Garth Nix and Sean Williams, the twins are trying to learn how to use their unique skills in a controlled manner. Jaide can manipulate wind and Jack can manipulate light. When their grandmother’s cats start talking to them, they realize something terrible is happening in Portland. The Evil is back and trying to break out into the world via a portal in the town. The characters are well-drawn and there is some genuinely creepy imagery. Stanley McGeagh’s narration is marvelous. He employs many different voices and accents and is spot-on when voicing the cat. The themes of good and evil, personal responsibility, and bravery will lead to excellent class discussions. For fans of Rick Riordan.–B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, Santa Barbara, CA