Alternating first-person narration finds a perfect match with twins Maya and Chaya. This novel in verse explores what it is like when inseparable twins begin to go their own ways. Here’s the official preview:

Maya is the pragmatic twin, but her secret anxiety threatens to overwhelm her.

Chaya is the outgoing twin. When she sees her beloved sister suffering, she wants to tell their parents—which makes Maya feel completely betrayed. With Maya shutting her out, Chaya makes a dramatic change to give her twin the space she seems to need. But that’s the last thing Maya wants, and the girls just drift further apart.

The once-close sisters can’t seem to find their rhythm, so they make a bet: they’ll switch places at their summer camp, and whoever can keep the ruse going longer will get to decide where they both attend high school—the source of frequent arguments. But stepping into each other’s shoes comes with its own difficulties, and the girls don’t know how they’re going to make it.

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The flowing, verse style of writing is perfect to expose the deep emotions of each twin. There’s a younger brother they both care about and two loving parents who often don’t agree on the best way to raise these girls. Maya and Chaya have superb musical potential which also serves to separate them into different camps.

Lying, mental health, self harm, and the pursuit of one’s true identity are heavy topics brought forth in a superb way. The words bring understanding and compassion for what these twins face in their young life. The 352 pages flow by quickly with a unique layout of engaging chapter titles, text, and fonts.

Mirror to Mirror serves as a great read and also a great discussion starter for 11-13 year olds about hidden anxiety. Highly recommended.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: MIRROR TO MIRROR by RAJANI LaROCCA.

1. Superstitions can truly overwhelm those who believe in their power. This is vividly brought forth with Maya and a broken mirror.
2. On the surface the family appears perfect, but the story deftly unwraps the anxiety present underneath.
3. Anyone into music will like when Maya and Chaya attend a music camp in the summer.
4. Parental disagreements don’t always have to end in divorce as this tale shows. There are arguments but also growth as these parents work things out.
5. Friends Jay and Anisa provide interesting subplots to this family story. They are not equally liked and seen the same way by each twin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor winning middle grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. Learn more about Rajani and her books at www.RajaniLaRocca.com and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. She also co-hosts the STEM Women in KidLit Podcast.

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