Twinning: BFFs (Not!) by Alexa Moses, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina

Title: Twinning: BFFs (Not!)

Author: Alexa Moses, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 1^st March 2023

Format: Paperback

Pages: 192

Price: $15.99

Synopsis: Grace and Izzy are twins—identical twins—and they’re closer than BFFs. But even though they look alike, they’re not similar at all! It’s Harmony Day at Rocky Point Primary, and Izzy and Grace are entering the best presentation competition. But when the girls choose the same topic, the battle between the sisters is on. Who will win? And will they ever be BFFs again?

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Izzy and Grace are identical twins and they’re very close. They’ve just started Year 5 at Rocky Point Primary, and they’re ten. Their teacher wants the class to keep a diary for the year – Grace is excited, but Izzy doesn’t want to. They’re also entering the Harmony Day presentation competition. But then they both choose the same topic – and that causes a rift. Can their family and friends help them repair the rift and become friends again?

School is hard enough when you’re ten – and a twin. You’re best friends but you’re also very different people. Izzy and Grace have managed to create their own personalities and find their own friends. In this first book, Izzy is determined to get something a former friend stole from her back, and Grace wants to impress with her presentation that she has worked hard on. But when they clash, things erupt, and they tell their story in alternating chapters in diary form – each expressing how they feel about always being the one to give in.

What I loved about this book is that it was filled with love and personality, where two sisters learn to use their heritage and work together to create something that stands out. It shows that when people work as a team, they can be stronger than if they work separately, and celebrates creativity and diversity, and inclusion – showcasing different talents and backgrounds throughout the novel within the twins and their friends. This new series will be lots of fun for middle grade readers, friends, sisters, and anyone who has ever clashed over something with someone and felt like they’re always the one making sure they adapt to everyone. In doing so, it van teach readers about the power of working together and helping each other – and what drives people to stand up for each other. It is also about finding solutions to a problem that can affect both twins – and the challenges they overcome to get there. It’s about creativity and art, music and fun, celebrating arts and joy in a delightful way.  

I enjoyed the start to this new series – it was filled with family, friendship, and love, and showed that there are lots of ways to express your love and that there are also different kinds of love. I enjoyed th4 ingenuity of Izzy and Grace, and their connection that ensures they always find a way to cope with challenges that are thrown their way. It looks like it is going to be a fun series for kids to enjoy.