Opposite Identicals: A Novel

by Deborah Kerbel

A Junior Library Guild Pick! Opposite Identicals  is a non-stop adrenaline rush from start to finish. Deborah Kerbel has written two unforgettable characters who take turns telling the story. Kids of all ages will race through this book, desperate to find out what will happen to the twins when catastrophe strikes in a near future world, changed forever by climate crisis. Don’t miss this one!"  — Carol Matas, author of  A Struggle for Hope and Past Crimes Opposite Identicals  is an upper middle grade novel set in the very near future – a time when climate change has irreversibly altered our planet and lifestyles. Nova and Joule are fourteen-year old twins whose scientist parents have recently uprooted the family from their urban home and moved to the country on a year–long research assignment, studying the effects of GMO 'SuperCrop' farming on the environment in the final regulatory phase before global expansion. Surrounded by nature and quiet, open spaces, shy, bookish Nova is in heaven. But Joule – whose life’s ambition is to be famous and reach a million Hollagram followers – is desperate to escape. One day, Joule gets her wish, although not in a way anyone ever expected. In an instant, she's gone – swallowed up by a mysterious sinkhole under her bedroom floor. Suddenly twinless, Nova is forced to step in and lead the search for her missing sister. But can she face her fears and figure out what caused the sinkhole in time to save Joule? Told from alternating points of view, it's a fantastical adventure about overcoming obstacles, self–discovery, and environmental awareness. "With suspense, adventure, and plenty of creepy crawlies,  Opposite Identicals  will have fans of  Stranger Things  looking at the ground below and wondering, 'what if?' Nail biting suspense, sisterly love, and subterranean adventures make for an exciting middle grade sci fi read!"  — Colleen Nelson, author of  The Undercover Book List "Opposite Identicals  is a fast paced, heart pumping thrill ride into the near ecological future or . . . nightmare. Two twins, day and night, totally different until it counts. Buckle in!"  — Teresa Toten, author of  Eights Days  and  The Unlikely Hero of Room 13b "A fast-paced story that grabbed me and kept me reading till the end."  — Mahtab Narsimhan

Genres: Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Climate Change

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2023

About the author

Deborah Kerbel was born in London, England, but grew up in Toronto, Canada.
A finalist for the 2012 Governor General's Literary Award, the 2010 Canadian Library Association YA Book of the Year Award, 2019 Blue Spruce Award Honour Book, and winner of the 2020 IODE Jean Throop Book Award, Deborah is the author of ten books for young readers of all ages.
Currently, Deborah lives and writes in Thornhill, Ontario, with her husband, two book loving teens, and a schnoodle named Fred.
Visit her at www.deborahkerbel.ca

Reviews

[Read by Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is 2041. Fourteen-year-old twins Joule and Nova are forced to move to the country as their scientist parents study the ecological impact of genetically-modified crops to solve the world food shortage. Then one day, Joule falls into a sinkhole, and becomes trapped underground. Her twin Nova is the only one who is determined that Joule survived and must be saved. Claustrophobic and horrifying eco-dystopia, this definitely makes one reconsider the plight of the planet and the future of humanity in a way that's palatable for upper middle-grade students.

[Tova Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t stop thinking about this book. It takes place 20 years or so into the future where climate change and the repercussions show their effect. Kudos to the author for showing me how our actions can cause such chaos.

The characters are so relatable. Joule and Nova are twins with little in common. Joule is a free spirit and Nova is an intellectual. However their bond is stronger than the environment dictates. When life goes array their bond comes into play. And who can forget Atom? What a great addition to the plot.

I highly recommend this book. There’s a lot to learn and to take away.

[Evelyn Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposite Identicals by Deborah Kerbel is a gripping, emotionally charged eco-sci-fi adventure that captures the twin forces of love and survival in a world reshaped by climate change. It’s both a thrilling page-turner and a deeply reflective exploration of what it means to stay connected to family, to nature, and to hope even when the world beneath you starts to crumble.

Twin sisters Nova and Joule couldn’t be more different: Nova is grounded, thoughtful, and curious, while Joule is ambitious, restless, and dreaming of digital fame. When a mysterious sinkhole swallows Joule into the depths of an altered Earth, Nova must confront her fears and unravel the truth buried below a truth that could save not only her sister but the fragile balance of their changing planet.

Kerbel masterfully blends pulse-pounding suspense with emotional depth, weaving environmental urgency into a tale of sisterhood and courage. The alternating perspectives create a dynamic rhythm that keeps readers hooked while sparking essential questions about technology, fame, and humanity’s role in healing the planet.

Fans of Stranger Things, The Underland Chronicles, or The Last Cuentista will be captivated by this smart, atmospheric novel that proves the most powerful discoveries happen when we look beneath the surface — both literally and within ourselves.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Opposite Identicals more than I expected to. A sci fi novel, set in 2041, where a teen disappears into a sinkhole under her house didn't hold much appeal to me. However, it was well-written and engaging. Even the very unbelievable aspects of the novel, which I won't name here for spoilers, were still captivating and well-crafted. I think students will enjoy Opposite Identicals.

Opposite Identicals is a 2025 Northern Lights MYRCA nominee. I would recommend for students in grades 5-8.
3+ stars

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Identical twins Joule and Nova are exact opposites of each other in appearance only. Their parents are scientists working to improve the food supply as climate change takes its toll. They move to a remote area near a new “supercrop” farm. When a huge sinkhole swallows the twins’ bedroom along with Joule and their dog, Nova is the only one convinced her sister is still alive even after the police call off the search. A page-turning science fiction adventure!

[Lorna Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Deborah Kerbel had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the sci-fi premise behind it and all the futuristic elements, and as I was reading I kept thinking ...this would make a great movie. The scenes were so well written and full of tension. I loved both characters (Nova and Joule), and their back and forth chapters showed terrific character development from Kerbel. All in all, a fantastically fun read!

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I were both captivated by this fresh, fast-paced middle-grade novel. My daughter was intrigued by the ideas presented about a futuristic world which led to some good discussions. Opposite Identicals is a fantastic book for kids that are interested in nature, the environment, science, or science-fiction.

[Anna Rosner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wondrous book! It is filled with suspense, climate change, and oozy underground spooks that will attract every reader. It really does become difficult to put this book down after the first few pages. The dialogue was also so spot on. In every scene, I could almost hear the characters talking, exactly as siblings would to one another. A must read.

[Sam Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposite Identicals is an exciting sci-fi adventure that had me at the edge of my seat! What starts out as a research project to help the world's food crisis quickly turns daunting after sinkholes start to pop up everywhere in the farmlands...and then things start to get weird!

[KataraRules · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was interesting, more targeted towards elementary and tweens so not exactly my thing

[Kendal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ✨ Great Hi-Lo book for student who struggle with or don’t like to read. I enjoyed this one and, being a twin, appreciated the twins being believable characters.