Twins: A Graphic Novel, 1 - by Varian Johnson (Paperback)

Dimensions (Overall): 8.1 Inches (H) x 1.1 Inches (W) x 5.8 Inches (D)
Weight: 1 Pounds
Number of Pages: 256
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Sub-Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Graphix
Author: Varian Johnson
Age Range: 9-12 Years
Book theme: General
Language: English

About the Book

"Maureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. 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. A girl who seems happy to share only two classes with her sister!"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Coretta Scott King Honor author Varian Johnson teams up with rising cartoonist Shannon Wright for a delightful middle-grade graphic novel!

Maureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. 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. A girl who seems happy to share only two classes with her sister!Maureen and Francine are growing apart and there's nothing Maureen can do to stop it. Are sisters really forever? Or will middle school change things for good?

Review Quotes

Praise for Twins:

National Indie Bestseller

Junior Library Guild Selection

NPR Best Book of 2020

Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2020

Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020

Horn Book Best Book of 2020

School Library Journal Best Book of 2020

Booklist Best Book for Youth

Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2020

Today.com Best Book for Kids, Tweens, and Teens in 2020

Nerdist Best Comic of 2020

Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020

University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Best Book for Young Readers

Recipient of five starred reviews

* Wright's artwork, crisp and colorful, does a masterful job of tracking the twins's emotional arcs through expressive composition, and Johnson's impeccable pacing keeps things moving while still making room for rich development. A beautiful reflection on sisterhood and coming of age that belongs in every collection. -- Booklist, starred review

* The sibling bond is palpable and precious as each conflict and triumph pushes them apart or pulls them together.... A touching, relatable story of identity, sisterhood, and friendship. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* A must-read for middle grade comics lovers. Expect high demand from fans of comics like those by Svetlana Chmakova, Jerry Craft, and Raina Telgemeier. -- School Library Journal, starred review

* Johnson and Wright have expertly teamed up to create a relatable story for all middle schoolers. -- The Horn Book, starred review

* An engaging read that speaks to worries of burgeoning self-identity and tween change. -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

There is so much happening in the world. Many of our young people are feeling uncertain and anxious. Young readers need a friend, a special buddy, to help them navigate this new norm. This book is a comforting companion. -- The New York Times Book Review

Has all the hallmarks of the kind of books that become timeless classics. If there's any justice in the world, kids will be reading Twins for decades. -- Nerdist

Praise for The Parker Inheritance:

* A must-purchase. -- School Library Journal, starred review

* Johnson's Westing-game inspired tale is a tangled historical mystery, a satisfying multigenerational family story, and an exploration of twentieth-century (and contemporary) race and racism. -- The Horn Book, starred review

* A compelling mystery and a powerful commentary on identity, passing, and sacrifice. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

Praise for The Great Greene Heist series:

[A] smartly crafted but breezy adventure that might just have students secretly cooking up schemes of their own. -- Children's Book Council

* The elaborate bait and switch of this fast-paced, funny caper novel will surprise its readers as much as the victims. They'll want to reread immediately. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Sheer fun. -- The Horn Book

About the Author

Varian Johnson is the author of several novels for children and young adults, including The Parker Inheritance, for which he won a Coretta Scott King Honor award; The Great Greene Heist, which was an ALA Notable Children's Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2014, and a Texas Library Association Lone Star List selection; and To Catch a Cheat, another Jackson Greene adventure and a Kids' Indie Next List pick. He lives with his family near Austin, Texas. You can find him online at varianjohnson.com.



Shannon Wright is an illustrator and cartoonist based in Richmond, Virginia. She has illustrated two picture books, My Mommy Medicine by Edwidge Danticat and I'm Gonna Push Through by Jasmyn Wright. She also provided the cover art for Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson, and Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez. Shannon graduated with a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she co-teaches a comics course during the summer. To learn more, visit her online at shannon-wright.com.