BFFs (NOT)

by Alexa Moses

Grace and Izzy are twins—identical twins—and they’re closer than BFFs. But even though they look alike, they’re not similar at all! It’s Harmony Day at Rocky Point Primary, and Izzy and Grace are entering the best presentation competition. But when the girls choose the same topic, the battle between the sisters is on. Who will win? And will they ever be BFFs again?

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

Alexa Moses graduated from a masters degree in screenwriting at the Australian Film Television and Radio school convinced she wanted to write books but ended up a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper instead and enjoyed it thoroughly. When she's not at the gym, knitting, arguing, bingeing on comedy or listening to music, she’s writing books.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 21 is Harmony Day - wear orange and celebrate the diverse cultural groups within your community.

At RPP (Rocky Point Public), there’s a chance for year 5 & 6 students to win a $100 voucher for presenting about a country.

There is a dental disasters, plush hamburger keyring and Bhangra dancing, but ingenuity and playing to your strengths are crucial ingredients to winning.

Not using all of the spices in the kitchen to make multicultural gingerbread….

The Tomic twins are fabulous and this first book in ‘The top secret diaries of twin sisters’ series titled ‘Twinning’ (first book titled ‘BFFs (not)’) is for fans of Diary of a wimpy kid, Ella diaries and Derek Dool (by Adrian Beck).

Like all three series listed above, this new series is also illustrated throughout by Sofya Karmazina.

Madly wanting the next book in the series now - Skipping stars.

[Emily Rainsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid little junior fiction read with a lot going for it.

The main characters are identical twins with the story happening in diary format. We see into each of the twins' diaries with different fonts used for each twin that reflect their personalities. There's lots of fun typography and pictures that keep it engaging for younger readers.

The central storyline involves a sibling rivalry that I'm sure many kids will relate to. The twins are planning a presentation for Harmony Day at school. There is a nice amount of cultural diversity in the supporting characters, reflective of the average suburban Australian primary school.

It even works in a little bit of educational information with the presentation about Yugoslavia at the end.

I liked the way the story wrapped up.

Overall I think this story will be a hit with the junior fiction age group, especially those who like the diary style format. Would definitely recommend this to fans of the Ella Diaries books and Billie B Brown - and given the way those books fly off the shelves at my library, I'm glad to have a new option to recommend!

[Debra Clewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace and Isabel (Izzy) Tomic are 10-year-old identical twins in Grade 5 at Rocky Point Primary school. They are close, closer thans BFFs. They have a secret language which they have shared since they were babies. But although they are identical in looks, they are very different personalities.
Each kid in the class has to keep a diary for the whole year. Grace loves it, Izzy doesn’t, and struggles both with the concept of of actually writing an entry each day.
When Harmony Day at school approaches, the principal announces a competition for the best presentation, where the main prize is $100. Unknown to each other, the girls choose the same topic-France-for their presentations. When they discover the fact, there is a battle between them as to who will give in and change their topic, but it doesn’t happen. The two close sisters are now apart from each other, with the rift growing deeper and larger. When they also discover that a whole bunch of other kids are doing presentations on France as well, they are crestfallen. On the day of the competition, with just a short time to spare, the sisters unite to present something totally different in a creative way, based on their own family’s cultural background. With the backing of their friends, the girls not only win, but reconcile their differences, truly embodying what Harmony Day is all about. And they also get to triumph over the personal bully, with an accidental outcome. (No bully is harmed in the process!)
Each chapter is an excerpt from the diaries, written alternately from each sister’s POV. With a theme of teamwork, forgiveness and friendship this is a novel that will be enjoyed by readers 10+ years of age, as the sisters declare that they are stronger together.

[Smitchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace and Izzy are identical twins and best friends! Until they get a bit too competitive about their Harmony Day presentations - there is a $100 voucher at stake and they both have plans for it!
Everything is going well until they realise they are both presenting about the same country! Who is willing to back down? Or can they reach a different compromise?
This is a fun chapter book for fans of the Ella Diaries by Meredith Costain, the Sadie series by Lana Spasevski or The Isabelle Stories by Jane Goodwin. It promises lots of future adventures for Grace and Izzy and their school friends. Age range: 6-12.

[Rebecca Fung · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fun younger middle grade read with the point of view of two very different twins who despite their differences are "stronger together". It's Harmony Day and Grace and Izzy have to work out their differences when a competition is announced on presenting about a foreign country. But what about the family harmony?

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good middle grade read about very different twins. The setting of Harmony Day worked well and the competition of a speech. Liked the friendships and how the family was shown.

2025 pop sugar reading challenge: left handed character.