Most importantly, I smiled thinking of the Black children will reach for this book marveling that the characters look like themselves. They also encourage love and unity between the girls. The parents in Twins are careful not to take sides and to give strong guidance when the girls drama becomes disruptive at home. As a parent, raising two girls is a challenge but parenting twins? I can only imagine how tough that could be. Twins is a lovely collaboration between Shannon Wright and Varian Johnson that showcases two girls growing up in a supportive home. This conflict was realistic in that it’s usually around 6/7th grade when kids start to reach out to people outside of their core friend group. When Fran begins to expand her friendships, Maureen feels hurt that they are spending less time together. Francine becomes Fran and looks to hang with a new group of friends while Maureen just wants things to stay the same. Sisters Maureen and Francine head into sixth grade, each with a different mission. Twins captures the inherent conflict between two sisters are they grow up and apart from each other. I earn a small commission for items purchased. Are sisters really forever? Or will middle school change things for good? Maureen and Francine are growing apart and there’s nothing Maureen can do to stop it.

A girl who seems happy to share only two classes with her sister!

But just before the girls start sixth grade, Francine becomes Fran - a girl who wants to join the chorus, run for class president, and dress in fashionable outfits that set her apart from Maureen. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. Maureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. Coretta Scott King Honor author Varian Johnson teams up with rising cartoonist Shannon Wright for a delightful middle-grade graphic novel!

Twins by varian johnson summary