36) Never Mind: A Twin Novel by Avi and Rachel Vail

Vail, Rachel and Avi. Never Mind!: A Twin Novel. HarperTrophy, 2004. 200 pages. ISBN: 0-06-054314-0.

Genre/Subject: Humor, Family

Ages: 10 and up

Plot:

Meg and Edward Runyon are twins, but they are not alike. They are different as night and day. Their only commonalities are: birthdate, parents, and getting on each other's nerves. The fact that the twins can make each other crazy, is why they are sent to different schools. Meg goes to Fischer High and Edward attends Charlton Street Alternative School. At Meg's new school, she wants to be a member of the High Achievers Club, but the person in charge is Kimberly Wu Woodsono, who is the most beautiful and popular girl in school. Kimberly calls Meg's house to invite her to a part and Edward answers the phone and plays pranks on Kimberly. After finally telling Kimberly that he is Megs twin brother, Meg answers the phone. Kimberly asks Meg questions about her brother, and this upsets Meg, because she did not want anyone to know that Edward was her twin brother. To impress Kimberly, Meg makes up a new brother--describing her brother as the opposite of what he is. Instead of short and dorky, she tells them that he is tall, handsome, and a musician in a band. However, Edward eavesdrops on her conversation and plans to destroy Meg's chances at the High Achievers Club. Instead of being her dorky brother, he pretends to be the handsome person Meg describes.

Review:

The story opens in chaos, Meg and Edward cannot stand each other because they want to be different. Because the story is told by two different author's there is a sense of two discitnt characters in Meg and Edward. The chapters alternate between two points of view as the story unfolds. A chapter is dedicated to Meg, and another chapter is dedicated to Edward. A very interesting way to tell a story. There are funny moments in the book, when Meg lies about her brother's identity, and knowing that Edward will play along insinuates that the truth will be revealed at the end, and they will become victims of their own lies, and learn that they are not as different as they originally thought in the beginning. A great read for males and females.

Awards: Newbery Medalist