The Santa Clarita Valley
Mothers of Twins Club

OnLine Bookstore

Books For Ages 4 to 8

Harry and Tuck by Holly Keller
Identical twins, who on their first day of school learn that they will be in different classes.
Reading level: Ages 4-8

One Up, One Down by Carol Snyder and illustrated by Maxie Chambliss
The story celebrates the differences in twins and lends support to the older sibling who may feel a little left out.
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Twins by Monica Colli and illustrated by Filippo Brunello
Is about rivalry and friendship, the desire to be seen as an individual and the annoyance of not being told apart.
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Tatterhood and the Hobgoblins: A Norwegian Folktale illustrated by Lauren Mills
This folktale tells of twin sisters who are very different in appearance, but, as this magical tale reveals, one should not judge by appearance alone.
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Books For Ages 9 to 12

Twins on Toes: A Ballet Debut by Joan Anderson with photographs by George Ancona
A picture book that captures in stunning photographs the strenuous training and joys of seventeen year old twins Amy and Laurel Foster training at the School of American Ballet.
Reading level: Ages 9 and up

Girl Wonder and the Terrific Twins by Malorie Blackman and illustrated by Lis Toft
Maxine and her twin brothers are always in difficult situations, but are successfully extricated by their alter egos - Girl Wonder and the Terrific Twins.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Mitch & Amy by Beverly Cleary and illustrated by George Porter
Nine year old Mitch and Amy come to understand how special it is to be twins even though they don't always get along.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Missing Sisters by Gregory Maguire
Is a poignant and fascinating story of Alice, separated from her twin sister and raised in an orphanage, and her discovery of her missing twin.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Project Wheels by Jacqueline Turner Banks
This, the first of three stories which include African American sixth grade twin brothers, takes place in Kentucky where five children have been best friends all through grade school. But now junior high looms, and it seems that everything's changing.
All three books revolve around school, family, friends and the very real problems of growing.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

The New One by Jacqueline Turner Banks
This sequel to Project Wheels is a fresh, honest story of friendship, family, and prejudice. Kids will appreciate the honest portrayal of relationships in this story: how people can attract and irritate you at the same time; how racism breeds hurt and anger; how old friends and newcomers surprise you.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Egg-Drop Blues by Jacqueline Turner Banks
This story (the sequel to Project Wheels & The New One ) concerns the trials of a sixth-grade twin who has been recently diagnosed with dyslexia and struggling to learn how to learn. The book makes some good points about grades, intelligence, and learning styles. The twin tells of his struggles with schoolwork, a sometimes difficult brother, and finding his own self-esteem.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Thirteen Going on Seven by Marilyn Sachs
Teenage twins who are maturing at very different rates with very different lifestyles.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

The Twin in the Tavern by Barbara Brooks Wallace
The story begins at the deathbed of an aunt and uncle, whose untimely ends leave an orphan who shocked to learn that he has a twin somewhere! The mystery has plenty of snakes and twists that kids will enjoy as well as delightful characters that step right off the pages.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Books For Ages 12 to Young Adult

Are You Alone on Purpose? by Nancy Werlin
Harry and Alison are the worst of enemies. But when Harry suffers a paralyzing accident and his father, a rabbi, begins to tutor Alison's autistic twin brother for his bar mitzvah, the two begin to find comfort from each other. Their stories are told in alternating chapters and until the tragedy brings them closer together.
Reading level: Ages 12-Young Adult

Brother of Mine by Chris Westwood
Sixteen year old twin brothers tell, in alternating chapters, of their intense rivalry in a riveting novel. The rivalry escalates until a life-or-death situation forces them to reexamine their conflicting relationship.
Reading level: Ages 12-Young Adult

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
Louise, the heroine, is a twin who feels less loved than her sister.
Finding your own selfworth while being influenced by friends, family, and community can be a very hard thing to do, especially for a twin. This is a thought-provoking, soul-searching, identity-finding novel.
Reading level: Ages 12-Young Adult