Alexa Moses (text) and Sofya Karmazina (illustrator), BFFs (NOT) (Twinning #1), Scholastic Australia, March 2024, 192 pp., $15.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761292620
Grace and Isabel (Izzy) Tomic are in Year 5 at Rocky Point Primary School. They are 10-year-old identical twins and are closer than BFFs. Grace and Izzy developed a secret language as babies but can also communicate with a simple gesture or facial expression. And even though the girls are identical to look at, they are both very different individuals with different interests and personalities.
Each student in the Year 5 class is required to keep a personal daily diary for the entire school year. Grace relishes the idea, but Izzy finds it a loathsome task even when the teacher tries to make it more palatable by devoting some in-class time to the activity.
As Harmony Day approaches the principal, ‘Mr Crome Dome’ announces a competition for the best presentation on a country of their choosing with a winning prize of $100. Unbeknown to the other, both twins opt for France as their focus country. Once they are aware of this ‘clash’ there ensues a mighty stand-off to determine which twin will change their selection, but neither girl is prepared to compromise. And to make matters worse, they discover that many of their classmates have also chosen France for their presentation.
On competition day, with only minutes to spare, Grace and Izzy work together to develop a creative presentation on an entirely new topic, based on their paternal grandmother’s young life in what was formerly known as Yugoslavia. Spirited on by their school friends, the girls not only win the competition, but demonstrate the ability to reconcile their differences and truly embrace the essence of Harmony Day.
And purely by accident, they also triumph over a bully who is a constant source of irritation for them and others.
There is a certain allure that surrounds identical twins and so the characters have instant appeal for the reader. The ability to ‘read’ each twin’s diary entries in diary format with different fonts used to reflect their individual personalities makes the tense less dense and accessible for younger readers. The variety of amusing typography and images also add additional appeal.
The overarching theme of sibling rivalry is a relatable theme for readers young and old. Preparations for special days such as Harmony Day are also within the realm of students’ and readers’ experiences in their own particular schools.
The focus on cultural diversity reflected in the supporting characters serves to reinforce the notion of respectful relationships in a multicultural society and a global world. This is further reinforced by the brief information shared about Yugoslavia toward the end of the story.
The resolution found in BFF’s (NOT) – a shared experience by four friends at the Rock & Spring Trampoline Park and complete with Lemon Tang and Berry Blasts ice blocks is priceless.
This is a well-crafted story that has undeniable appeal for the Junior Fiction age group of readers especially those who enjoy a text presented in diary format. Students who enjoy the Ella Diaries books and Billie B Brown are sure to enjoy this first instalment in the series, The Top Secret Diaries of Twin Sisters Twinning.
Recommended for readers 7 Years +.
Reviewed by Julie Deane
