Twins: A Graphic Novel (Twins #1)

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?

“Praise for Twins : "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 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”

Praise for Twins:

National Indie Bestseller

Junior Library Guild Selection

NPR Best Book

Washington Post Best Children's Book

Kirkus Reviews Best Book

Horn Book Best Book

School Library Journal Best Book

Booklist Best Book for Youth

Barnes & Noble Best Book

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

Nerdist Best Comic

Chicago Public Library Best Book

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

Cooperative Children's Book Center Best Book

Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book

Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Award Winner

American Library Association Top 10 Best Graphic Novel for Children

YALSA Great Graphic Novels Selection

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

"Its story about learning how to maintain a healthy relationship with siblings as you grow older and pursue different interests should be relevant to anyone who has experienced that." -- Entertainment Weekly

Praise for the Twins Audiobook:

AudioFile Earphones Award Winner

American Library Association Notable Children's Recording

"A full cast brings this middle-grade graphic novel to life... The story is told from Maureen's point of view, and Ahnya O'Riordan's youthful voice captures her anxieties about change and her frustration with her sister--which manifest in her decision to also run for class president. Sound effects and upbeat music add to scenes in bustling school hallways, at the mall, and at the dinner table with the girls' supportive family." -- AudioFile

Varian Johnson is the author of several novels for children and young adults, including The Parker Inheritance, which won both Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor awards, The Great Greene Heist, an ALA Notable Children's Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, and a Texas Library Association Lone Star List selection, and the graphic novel Twins co-created with Shannon Wright, an NPR Best Book. He lives with his family near Austin, Texas. You can visit him on the web at varianjohnson.com and @varianjohnson.

Shannon Wright is an illustrator and cartoonist based in Richmond, Virginia. She is the co-creator, with Varian Johnson, of Twins, and she illustrated two picture books, My Mommy Medicine by Edwidge Danticat and I'm Gonna Push Through! by Jasmyn Wright. 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.

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