Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

• February 2026
• ISBN: 978176135359
• $14.99

I think it is hard to imagine what it would be like being a twin, especially an identical one, if you’re not one- or perhaps that’s just me. I have taught twins so identical that only one little freckle was the distinguishing feature between the two and they were very alike in personality and behaviour as well. I’ve known fraternal twins who not only look completely dissimilar but also have widely differing personas. [Fun fact: I also taught triplets once – two identical and the third fraternal, not sure how common that is?].

But for someone like Kristin, herself a twin, I think this is a MG narrative that not only speaks to those kiddos who are tweens and already often changing direction in friendships, interests and attitudes, but will especially resonate to those twins in the audience.

It seems quite reasonable to me, a non-twin, that there must be times when your thoughts sync perfectly with your twin, as well as those times when you just don’t ‘get them’ at all, and, sometimes, even those moments when you long to be a ‘single’ entity.

This lively narrative explores all those moments with Abi and Brook who have always been inseparable and enjoyed being so, start being not so. They have been in the same class all through school, they both love to dance, they are in a band together with their friends – and they share ‘third twin’ bestie, Chari.

But as they enter upper primary, big changes are ready to sweep over them and threaten to swamp their emotions and attitudes to each other. It all starts with being put in separate classes, as both parents and teachers agree that each girl should, and indeed needs to, start exploring herself as an individual.

Much of the narrative is revealed to us via the girls’ journals, which their clever parents have furnished with the express purpose of recording their feelings about this new situation – and the subsequent unravellings of many things – from friendships, to the band, to feeling excluded, to being angry, to the sense of inadequacy and more.

Essentially, there is no doubt in my mind, most tweens go through exactly these episodes at various times as they wade their way into teenage-dom. The real difference lies in the fact, that the girls have always – but ALWAYS – been one tight unit and suddenly that’s fractured. Has it cracked apart permanently? Or will it resolve itself with some self-reflection, moderation and mediation?

As all of this is grumbling and rumbling for the twins, their end goal is the annual school talent show and what started out as something highly anticipatory for both, is really threatening to be a shambles instead. So not only must they find their own way to mend the fissure in their twinship but to pull together to make their part in the talent show rock out. Your kiddos from around Year 3/4 will love this I guarantee.

The telling of it, interspersed with the diary entries is fresh and lively and, very importantly, completely authentic sounding. Kristin clearly knows her stuff with ‘voice’ particularly for this age group[so many get it wrong]. And anyone who loved the adorable Aggie Flea books will immediately recognise and enjoy A. Yi’s terrific illustrations.

There are some great themes happening throughout especially around navigating friendships, tolerance, understanding, being true to oneself and self-belief – all of which are so vital to this chapter in kids’ lives – without ever being didactic. Well played, Kirstin!! Love it and it’s an easy peasy 5 👯👯👯👯👯rating for readers from 9/10 years.