Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Book Review: Trading Faces by Julia DeVillers and Jennifer Roy


Written by: Julia DeVillers and Jennifer Roy
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: December 22, 2009
Series: Identical Twins series
Age Range: 9 - 12 years
Source: Purchased
Buy: Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | amazon

Synopsis:  In Trading Faces, identical twin sisters Emma (the smart one) and Payton (the popular one) start seventh grade at a brand-new school and discover they’ve been assigned entirely different schedules—so when they get sick of their respective cliques, they secretly switch places. What ensues is a hilarious yet poignant romp from middle school to the mall as the twins learn what it means to be true to yourself, even when the rest of the world isn’t making it easy.


I love twin-switch stories myself so I was thrilled when MundieTween picked up this book. While neither one of us are twins, my daughter could relate to having a sibling and being asked "which one are you?" just like Payton and Emma.

It's hard to establish your own identity in middle school and it's twice as hard for a twin. The incident that precedes the switch was funny and my tween could relate to it because she's not a fan of school lunches. Both she and I could easily imagine the horror of not just having to eat an oozy burrito but also having it accidentally end up on a popular boy's  head.

The resulting embarrassment and Emma's willingness to switch places with Payton is a moment of sisterly compassion that I loved. The inevitable discovery moment is filled with chaos, excitement and consequences.

Many thanks to Julie and Jennifer for writing a story that both my tween and I enjoyed.


I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~