Twins (graphic novel)
| Twins | |
|---|---|
| Date | October 6, 2020 |
| Publisher | Graphix |
| Creative team | |
| Writer | Varian Johnson |
| Artist | Shannon Wright |
| ISBN | 978-1-338-23617-0 |
Twins is a 2020 graphic novel written by Varian Johnson and illustrated by Shannon Wright. It follows twin sisters who face having different schedules when they start middle school.
Plot
When twin sisters Maureen and Francine Carter start sixth grade they are shocked when they are assigned to different classes. Francine embraces her newfound independence and starts participating in after-school activities, while the Cadet Corps-enrolled Maureen is concerned about growing apart. When the two sisters become the sole competitors for head of the student council, their relationship strains further.[1][2][3][4]
Development
Johnson himself has a twin brother; as with the Carter sisters, they first started taking separate classes in middle school, an experience that inspired the story of Twins.[5][6]
Reception
The book received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, the Horn Book, and the School Library Journal.[1][2][3][4] Both School Library Journal and the Horn Book likened the book to works by Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft. Eboni Njoku of the Horn Book commented on how the book alludes to the protagonists' Black identity through the use of hair bonnets and a scene depicting discrimination at a mall.[3]
Avery Kaplan of Comics Beat praised the artwork, noting how early pages symmetrically presented the Maureen and Francine's perspectives with the format becoming more disjointed later on to reflect the growing conflict between the twins [5]
| Year | Award/Honor | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Great Graphic Novels for Teens | Included | [7] |
| 2021 | Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids | Nominated | [8] |
| Harvey Award for Best Children's or Young Adult Book | Nominated | [9] | |
| Ringo Award for Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel | Won | [10] | |
| School Library Journal - Best Middle Grade Books | Included | [11] | |
| Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table - Best Graphic Novels for Children | Top Ten | [12] | |
| Black Caucus of the American Library Association - Children and Youth Literary Awards for Graphic Novel | Won | [13] | |
| 2020 | NPR Books We Love | Included | [14] |
References
- 1 2 TWINS | Kirkus Reviews.
- 1 2 "Twins (Twins #1) by Varian Johnson". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- 1 2 3 Njoku, Eboni. "Review of Twins". The Horn Book. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- 1 2 Varian, Johnson. "Twins". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- 1 2 Kaplan, Avery (2020-10-06). "REVIEW: TWINS is so good you'll have to read it twice". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ Quattlebaum, Mary (2020-12-08). "Middle school worries inspired Varian Johnson's graphic novel 'Twins'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ "2022 Great Graphic Novels for Teens | Young Adult Library Services Association". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
- ↑ Grunenwald, Joe (2021-07-24). "ComicCon@Home '21: The 2021 Eisner Award winners". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ "Harvey Awards Reveal 2021 Nominees". www.harveyawards.com. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ "2021 Ringo Awards – Ringo Awards". Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ Worley, Monisha Blair, Myiesha Speight, Ashleigh Williams, Taylor. "Best Middle Grade Books 2021 | SLJ Best Books". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List | Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ blackshsi (2021-07-29). "BCALA and School Library Journal Announce the 2021 Children and Youth Literary Awards Winners". Black Caucus American Library Association. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ "Books We Love". NPR. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
External links
- Twins on Varian Johnson's personal website