Trading faces

Gr 4-7-Twins Emma and Payton Mills start seventh grade at a new school with high hopes. Brainy Emma wants to join the science, math, and geography clubs. Somewhat of an academic slacker, Payton dreams of joining the fashion-loving in-crowd. Both girls are off to a good start until a burrito catastrophe strikes Payton at lunch, leaving her too embarrassed to face the rest of her day. Emma comes to her twin's rescue by (you probably guessed it) switching places with her. What was supposed to last only a few class periods quickly snowballs out of control. Shy Emma finds herself shopping with the popular girls, talking to a cute football player, and leading cheers at the pep rally. Meanwhile, Payton tries filling in for Emma's honors classes and school news show. The girls know they have to switch back, but now that they've become so enmeshed in one another's lives, how can they? And even more importantly, do they want to? While twins switching places is by no means a new plot device, the story is fast paced and fun. Emma and Payton are both likable characters with middle school worries that readers will relate to. A good choice for girls who like their school stories with a bit of drama and a lot of fun.-Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

After Payton humiliates herself at school, her twin, Emma, suggests they swap identities. Emma figures she'll do some damage control and they'll switch back, but trading places proves more appealing than they'd anticipated, and the sisters learn useful, if unsurprising, lessons while in each other's shoes. The plot is unoriginal, but the girls' very different personalities broaden the story's appeal. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.