It's a twin thing: The break up by Kristin Darell. Illus. by A. Yi

Kristin Darell manages in It's a twin thing:the break up to nail the intense friendship issues that seem to occur, particularly for girls, at around the year 5 level of primary school. For Brooklyn and Abigail, the twin central protagonists, the problem of relationships is heightened as not only do they have school friendship groups to navigate, they have their close twin relationship to navigate simultaneously. Being a twin, it seems, is like being a close sister but on steroids.

It's a twin thing:the break up opens with Brook and Abigail on the brink of year 5 and turning eleven years old. The first scene is of the twins together at Cherry Lake standing on a high diving platform. Brook seems to be the fearless one, encouraging the more timid Abi to make the jump. The nature of their "unstoppable", "inseparable" relationship is depicted along with the fact that they are the best and closest of friends sharing a mutual friend called Chary. Something important happens. The twin's parents tell them that it is time for the girls to be separated into different classes at school for the first time ever. This break is huge for them and tiny cracks in their relationship start to happen. Wisely, as the parents communicated this difficult message, they gave the girls journals so that they could write down their thoughts (and make sense of their anxieties and challenges through journaling). The journals became, for both girls, a way of processing their emotions. Through the different styles of writing (represented by different fonts) the reader becomes aware of the differing characters of the girls. New friendships are forged, jealousies are intense and Abi and Brook, for the first time in their lives bicker and become envious of each others' new friends while feeling left out and angry. They break up and don't speak. The wider family are a wonderful buffer, with their older brother doing his best and the parents demonstrating warmth and wisdom. Other adults in the story, similarly demonstrate understanding and good judgement, particularly the teachers at Cherry Lake Primary. 

Darell seems to depict the ideal conditions for girls navigating the primary/ Middle Year transition at school. Brooke and Abi learn to find their separate and individual talents and interests and they learn how to move towards being fully functioning individuals whilst maintaining a healthily close relationship as twin sisters. Darell writes with authority on the subject as she is a twin herself. The importance of sensible and kind adult mentors and a warm family in helping girls navigate these difficult years is paramount. Abi and Brooke are supported through this time by their village. 

It's a twin thing:the break up will appeal to readers who enjoyed the Twinning series by Alexa Moses or Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley Twins. It would also be helpful for any girl experiencing the anxieties and hopes of a ten year old girl beginning to chart her own path through school and extra-curricular activities. 

Illustrator A. Li is well-known for her illustrations of the best-selling Alice Miranda and Willa and Woof series. It's a twin thing, with the same warm and cheerful illustrations, is a new series with The break up being the first in the series. The big switch is the immediate follow up so readers will be able to follow the further adventures of Abi and Brook. This series is sure to be popular in school libraries.

Themes: Twins, Shifting friendships, Year 5/6 (late primary years) school life, Family, Jealousy, Competition.

Wendy Jeffrey