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Mirror to Mirror
Mirror to Mirror
300 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 2023
18 people are currently reading
3360 people want to read
About the author
Rajani LaRocca
36 books557 followersRajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young people, including Red, White, and Whole, which won a 2022 Newbery Honor, the Walter Dean Myers Award, Golden Kite Award, and New England Book Award. Her other books include: Midsummer’s Mayhem (2019), Seven Golden Rings (2020), Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers (2021), Much Ado About Baseball (2021), Where Three Oceans Meet (2021), My Little Golden Book About Kamala Harris (2021), The Secret Code Inside You (2021), I'll Go and Come Back (2022), and more. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. To connect with Rajani and learn more about her and her books visit her at www.RajaniLaRocca.com and on Twitter and Instagram @rajanilarocca.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
March 15, 2023
Mirror to Mirror is an immersive middle grade verse novel about sisterhood, friendships, anxiety, and the imperfections in family. LaRocca is a brilliant verse novelist, and this story is enrapturing, relatable, and compulsively readable. If you like stories about twins, music-loving tweens, and Indian culture, you’ll love Mirror to Mirror.
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/mirror...
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/mirror...
November 21, 2023
3.25 stars
I mostly enjoyed this middle grade novel about two twins both dealing with something different. Once the ‘twin switch’ happened at camp, it was a little harder to keep track of who was who. On top of that, my copy of the guidebook was skipping constantly. I’m not sure if it was the audio quality or the app, but it took me out of the story a bit.
I mostly enjoyed this middle grade novel about two twins both dealing with something different. Once the ‘twin switch’ happened at camp, it was a little harder to keep track of who was who. On top of that, my copy of the guidebook was skipping constantly. I’m not sure if it was the audio quality or the app, but it took me out of the story a bit.
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 3.25 stars
Narrators: Reena Dutt & Rasha Zamamiri
Narration Rating: 4 stars narration, 2 stars audio quality
Genre: Middle Grade
Length: 4h
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February 14, 2023Mirror to mirror delves into the complex emotional relationship between twin sisters, Maya and Chaya, who are moving apart despite their love for one another. Will they be able to give each other the space to grow, without breaking apart?
Rajani bounces expertly between the two sisters’ points of view, making this, among other things one of the best examples of dual POV that I have ever come across in middle grade literature so far.
This lyrical verse novel, like Rajani’s Newbery-Honor and Walter-winning novel Red, White and Whole, is another testament to her sensitivity and appreciation for music: music is a running theme in this book, and it, too, is crafted with musical words.
But above all, this is an ode to the love of family and the special bonds shared by siblings.
Rajani bounces expertly between the two sisters’ points of view, making this, among other things one of the best examples of dual POV that I have ever come across in middle grade literature so far.
This lyrical verse novel, like Rajani’s Newbery-Honor and Walter-winning novel Red, White and Whole, is another testament to her sensitivity and appreciation for music: music is a running theme in this book, and it, too, is crafted with musical words.
But above all, this is an ode to the love of family and the special bonds shared by siblings.
April 28, 2023
4.5 stars! Mirror to Mirror was beyond heartfelt, and I loved every poem that was included. The family dynamics in this story were also raw and relatable, and even though I don't have a twin, I loved how close Maya and Chaya were to each other. They are really opposites of one another, but they each look up to the other and want only the best for them.
Mirror to Mirror has rep for Asian (Indian) families and mental health/illness (anxiety disorder). It also has themes about friendship, jealousy, perfectionism, keeping secrets, dysfunctional families, change and growth, and sibling relationships.
This is a book I would recommend! Full review to come.
I won an advanced copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.
Mirror to Mirror has rep for Asian (Indian) families and mental health/illness (anxiety disorder). It also has themes about friendship, jealousy, perfectionism, keeping secrets, dysfunctional families, change and growth, and sibling relationships.
This is a book I would recommend! Full review to come.
I won an advanced copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.
August 8, 2022
Wow! MIRROR TO MIRROR is a story is from the perspectives of Maya and Chaya, identical twin sisters who have a complicated relationship. One is a perfectionist with anxiety. One is outgoing and silly on the surface, but inside yearns for a change.
Told in verse with alternating perspectives, this follow-up to Rajani’s Newbery-honor-winning RED WHITE AND WHOLE is sure to capture many, many readers’ hearts.
Writing in verse is a special talent. I love the feeling of reading verse because it makes me slow down and appreciate every moment (which you will really want to do with this one!)
Rajani is a master at creating rich family dynamics and this book is no exception. Besides the twins at the heart of the story, there is a playful and daring younger brother, a marriage feeling some strain, and family friends that add their own dimension.
Another delightful aspect of this book was the way music is layered into the story. One character is compared to the oboe she plays—like the instrument, she is “soft and mellow, with occasional squeaks.” Love!!
If you’ve read any of Rajani’s books, you already know that she’s one of those authors who grabs your heart on page one and never lets go. This book is going to fit right in with the others on your shelf!
June 30, 2023
Twin sisters Chaya and Maya are at a critical age where they begin to question life as they knew it. They are used to doing everything together and sharing the same interest. May’s struggle with anxiety puts of of that to the test as Chaya searches for ways to step into her own choices.
Written so beautifully in verse, LaRocca takes each sister’s truth and inner dialogue and turns it into tender and thoughtful moments that leave the reader deeply moved. Equally impressive is the way LaRocca gives careful attention to the representation of anxiety for a young person and how that struggle impacts the individual and those around them.
This novel evokes so many emotions, life circumstances, and universal life experiences which makes it a solid middle grade read!
Written so beautifully in verse, LaRocca takes each sister’s truth and inner dialogue and turns it into tender and thoughtful moments that leave the reader deeply moved. Equally impressive is the way LaRocca gives careful attention to the representation of anxiety for a young person and how that struggle impacts the individual and those around them.
This novel evokes so many emotions, life circumstances, and universal life experiences which makes it a solid middle grade read!
November 15, 2022
Rajani LaRocca never disappoints. Her words are absolutely beautiful, whether written in poetry or prose. This novel is written in verse and I love the duality with the twin sisters' points of view. It was not difficult to keep each twin separate and I enjoyed watching each grow so much, along with their family. It was a great story of sisterhood, family, and finding yourself. Also, with the rise of anxiety in youth, this is an important story about sharing what is going on and opening yourself up to help. Thank you Rajani and Quill Tree books for sharing a copy.
August 16, 2022
This middle grade novel-in-verse is a beautiful exploration of sisterhood, anxiety, and how mental health can impact families generation to generation. I'd highly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school classrooms! If you loved LaRocca's Red, White, and Whole, definitely do not miss Mirror to Mirror.
November 21, 2023
Hmmmmm.... I liked the idea of the story - twins. But the audio copy did a bunch of cutting out for more than 50% of this book. It reminded me of listening to someone on the phone going through a tunnel where they keep cutting out.
Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Reena Dutt & Rasha Zamamiri
Length: 4H 0M
March 22, 2023
4.5/5
May 13, 2023
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Mirror to Mirror is a poignant novel in verse that explores the bond between twin sisters. Maya and Chaya have always been inseparable, but they start to grow apart when Maya's anxiety (and her fear of telling anyone about it) forms a gulf the two can't seem to cross. Chaya is convinced that she is causing her sister's problems because she's always Maya's shadow, so she pulls away and tries to do new things. Meanwhile, Maya's striving to be perfect chips away at her mental health, and she's sure that anything that goes wrong is her own fault, both because she isn't good enough and because of her bad luck. While the sisters struggle independently to solve the issues between them, they only make the gulf grow wider.
The book is written in lyrical verse, which is a perfect form to express the internal struggles both the girls are going through. Family dynamics are an important theme, as the girls' parents have their own conflicts while the girls are dealing with their own. I appreciated that the book portrayed some relatively major arguments between the parents without leading to divorce in the end (kids should know that not all conflict means their parents are splitting up). And of course sisterhood is explored--while most kids don't have an identical twin sister, they can still relate to relationship rifts that often happen at this age, and many will relate to Maya's struggles with anxiety as well. And the sisters switching places (which they end up doing at summer camp) adds just the right touch of tension to keep readers engaged.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Mirror to Mirror is a poignant novel in verse that explores the bond between twin sisters. Maya and Chaya have always been inseparable, but they start to grow apart when Maya's anxiety (and her fear of telling anyone about it) forms a gulf the two can't seem to cross. Chaya is convinced that she is causing her sister's problems because she's always Maya's shadow, so she pulls away and tries to do new things. Meanwhile, Maya's striving to be perfect chips away at her mental health, and she's sure that anything that goes wrong is her own fault, both because she isn't good enough and because of her bad luck. While the sisters struggle independently to solve the issues between them, they only make the gulf grow wider.
The book is written in lyrical verse, which is a perfect form to express the internal struggles both the girls are going through. Family dynamics are an important theme, as the girls' parents have their own conflicts while the girls are dealing with their own. I appreciated that the book portrayed some relatively major arguments between the parents without leading to divorce in the end (kids should know that not all conflict means their parents are splitting up). And of course sisterhood is explored--while most kids don't have an identical twin sister, they can still relate to relationship rifts that often happen at this age, and many will relate to Maya's struggles with anxiety as well. And the sisters switching places (which they end up doing at summer camp) adds just the right touch of tension to keep readers engaged.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
May 29, 2023
This was a really great middle grade novel in verse about two twin sisters who share a love of music but one suffers from extreme anxiety and self-harming. I loved how the story switched between each sister's POV and thought the mental health rep was excellent. Highly recommended and great on audio!
May 9, 2024
Representation: Asian characters
Trigger warnings: Physical injury in the past, blood depiction, self-harm, anxiety, near-death experience
Score: Six and a half out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
It looks like I finally got around to reading this one. Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca was a novel-in-verse I hadn't heard of, but it was a recommendation. It was difficult to get this one as no library had it physically, so I got an eBook edition instead. I glanced at the intriguing blurb, but when I closed the final page, the book wasn't what I expected.
It starts with a prologue where I see Maya and Chaya, before it cuts to the story after a few pages. The plot describes Maya as down-to-earth while Chaya is more extroverted, and the POV switches between them each chapter. Mirror to Mirror is surprisingly heavy for a narrative targeted at a younger audience, especially in the first half spanning 200 pages, where Maya does self-harm (and gets away with it,) all in the guise of achieving perfection. Maya has anxiety, but at no point in Mirror to Mirror does she receive any mental health support, which concerned me, and sent a message that it's acceptable to ignore mental illnesses.
The beginning started off well, but the last 150 pages dampened the mood with a jarring juxtaposition, as Maya had had enough, so she switched classes with Chaya, even when they attend the same summer camp. The characters were likable, but hard to connect or relate with, and the multiple first POVs got confusing--I almost couldn't tell which was which. Perhaps the 3rd POV would've worked better, but the Indian American representation was an appreciated touch. The pacing is slow, too. Did the work need that part when it detracted from the central storyline? I felt LaRocca wrote that as an afterthought, and a copy of The Parent Trap, but without the parents. The climax is dramatic, yet predictable, as I knew the plan would fall apart in the end. It did, as the twins' parents discovered they swapped and lived each other's lives for the entire time. Maya's anxiety is magically gone as well, which I didn't find satisfying.
I expected a deep exploration of mental health, but this was not it. The poetry was okay, but it was more spaced-out prose than real poetry. Adding poetic devices would improve Mirror to Mirror.
Trigger warnings: Physical injury in the past, blood depiction, self-harm, anxiety, near-death experience
Score: Six and a half out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
It looks like I finally got around to reading this one. Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca was a novel-in-verse I hadn't heard of, but it was a recommendation. It was difficult to get this one as no library had it physically, so I got an eBook edition instead. I glanced at the intriguing blurb, but when I closed the final page, the book wasn't what I expected.
It starts with a prologue where I see Maya and Chaya, before it cuts to the story after a few pages. The plot describes Maya as down-to-earth while Chaya is more extroverted, and the POV switches between them each chapter. Mirror to Mirror is surprisingly heavy for a narrative targeted at a younger audience, especially in the first half spanning 200 pages, where Maya does self-harm (and gets away with it,) all in the guise of achieving perfection. Maya has anxiety, but at no point in Mirror to Mirror does she receive any mental health support, which concerned me, and sent a message that it's acceptable to ignore mental illnesses.
The beginning started off well, but the last 150 pages dampened the mood with a jarring juxtaposition, as Maya had had enough, so she switched classes with Chaya, even when they attend the same summer camp. The characters were likable, but hard to connect or relate with, and the multiple first POVs got confusing--I almost couldn't tell which was which. Perhaps the 3rd POV would've worked better, but the Indian American representation was an appreciated touch. The pacing is slow, too. Did the work need that part when it detracted from the central storyline? I felt LaRocca wrote that as an afterthought, and a copy of The Parent Trap, but without the parents. The climax is dramatic, yet predictable, as I knew the plan would fall apart in the end. It did, as the twins' parents discovered they swapped and lived each other's lives for the entire time. Maya's anxiety is magically gone as well, which I didn't find satisfying.
I expected a deep exploration of mental health, but this was not it. The poetry was okay, but it was more spaced-out prose than real poetry. Adding poetic devices would improve Mirror to Mirror.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2023
What to expect…
✨ A close sister relationship
✨ Novel in verse
✨ Switcheroo (even if it’s not exactly like Prince and the Pauper)
✨ A lesson about not striving to reach perfection
✨ Themes about healing, letting go, and the importance of not going through things alone
.
.
.
Honestly, I picked up this book because I saw it was in-verse. I didn’t even read what it was about until I was about to start reading it. 😅 Nevertheless, this is such a sweet book that is packed many lessons and if I were a re-reader, I totally would read this book again!
✨ A close sister relationship
✨ Novel in verse
✨ Switcheroo (even if it’s not exactly like Prince and the Pauper)
✨ A lesson about not striving to reach perfection
✨ Themes about healing, letting go, and the importance of not going through things alone
.
.
.
Honestly, I picked up this book because I saw it was in-verse. I didn’t even read what it was about until I was about to start reading it. 😅 Nevertheless, this is such a sweet book that is packed many lessons and if I were a re-reader, I totally would read this book again!
September 4, 2022
What a treat - and what a perfect follow-up to the Newbery Honor-winning RED, WHITE AND WHOLE, another novel-in-verse.
There's so much to enjoy about this book: the love between twins Chaya and Maya; their similarities and differences; the family dynamics; the use of music to reflect the internal struggles the girls are feeling. You can't help but root for these sisters - and wish you had a twin of your own to share things with.
Another must-read from Rajani LaRocca!
There's so much to enjoy about this book: the love between twins Chaya and Maya; their similarities and differences; the family dynamics; the use of music to reflect the internal struggles the girls are feeling. You can't help but root for these sisters - and wish you had a twin of your own to share things with.
Another must-read from Rajani LaRocca!
January 1, 2023
I was hooked from the "Dear Reader" letter at the very beginning. Getting the insight into Rajani LaRocca's creation of this story at the very start made it all the more special to spend some time with Chaya and Maya. I loved that this novel in verse beautifully expressed the emotions and thoughts of each twin sister, but also provided incredible insight to the each family member and their inner workings as a family unit as well. I felt like we really could understand a lot about the entire family (mom, dad and little brother). This book opens the door for conversations and understandings about the impacts our family members and friends have on us, as well as the way mental health and anxiety can affect every facet of life. Mirror to Mirror is engaging and beautifully written. Rajani LaRocca is a fantastic storyteller.
Thanks for providing an ARC to #LitReviewCrew.
Thanks for providing an ARC to #LitReviewCrew.
February 16, 2023
Rajani LaRocca’s written yet another stunning middle grade novel-in-verse that so deftly and beautifully captures the struggles and joys of sisterhood, mental illness, and growing into who you want to become. Completely captivating from start to finish, this book is a triumph of sisters, strength, and song. This book is not to be missed.
May 21, 2024
Am genuinely surprised with how much I love this book!
November 21, 2022
It’s another winner for Rajani Larocca, author of much awarded Red, White and Whole! In her newest novel-in-verse, Larocca gives readers a look into the hearts and minds of twins Maya and Chaya, talented, bright 7th graders living with their parents and younger brother and both battling personal demons and searching for balance between their twinship-love for each other as well as their efforts to be seen as individuals. While reading each girl’s perspective on their struggle, readers may find themselves wishing that they could interrupt and explain things to the two of them so that each will realize their unique value. The rhythm and flow of the text is lyrical and for those with some knowledge of musical terminology, some of the chapter titles will give insight into the movement of the plot but not understanding the meaning of words such as “tutti” and “coda” will not interfere with the pleasure of reading the girls’ story. While almost all the chapters are written in free verse, the inclusion of one concrete poem conveys greater emotional impact to Maya’s anxiety and fear. Full of references to composers, musical instruments and styles make this a great book choice for those interested in fine arts but the realistic portrayal of sibling, friend, and family relationships as well as the inclusion of characters facing many of the same demons so many middle graders grapple with means that all readers in grades 5-8 will connect with something in Mirror to Mirror. Highly recommended.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss Above the Treeline.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss Above the Treeline.
November 21, 2022
Rajani LaRocca has done it again! Another brilliant middle-grade novel in verse. This one follows the story of twins who begin to grow apart as they wrestle with their own internal battles. LaRocca manages to give them each a distinct voice, so it is easy to follow despite switching perspectives each chapter. I especially liked how this book explored struggles with anxiety, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging mental health issues and seeking help. I’m excited to purchase this book for my classroom library when it is released!
September 4, 2022
Red, White, and Whole was so beautiful and poignant, and I wondered how Mirror to Mirror would compare. Like RWW, family is the heart of this book. My mother was an identical twin, and I've always found stories about identical twins fascinating. I could see that Rajani LaRocca did her research. The strong bond and tension between Maya and Chaya felt believable. I appreciated how the poetry portrayed that closeness and yet that distance when twins keep secrets from each other. The poems varied--there was a lot of playing around with word placement and some lovely lyrical pieces. The verse format enhanced the poignance and still moved the plot forward. The struggles with mental illness and how they can impact families is an important subject, and it was handled with sensitivity. The ending was satisfying but also didn't tie everything up neatly, which is realistic given the subject matter. The friends, the little brother, and the dad's silly jokes added some lightness overall.
December 19, 2022
Everything this author does is well worth your time. This specific book is going to start so many important conversations about anxiety, the nuances of supporting those closest to us, and dynamics between siblings.
Highly recommend this outstanding book from a beloved author.
Highly recommend this outstanding book from a beloved author.
January 14, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital galley of this book.
Rajani LaRocca has delivered another beautiful, heartwarming, genuine, relevant, stunning novel in verse! Red, White, and Whole is one of my favorite middle grade novel in verse books, and the book that got me hooked on the novel in verse genre. I was sooooo excited to hear that LaRocca was coming out with another novel in verse middle grade book. And this one definitely lived up to my expectations.
My husband is a mirror twin. He and his brother are like Maya and Chaya, the mirror twins in this book. They are identical and mirror images of each other, one is left handed and the other right handed, one has a dimple in his left cheek and the other in his right cheek. So I understand the special relationship that mirror twins have with each other, and how much they look alike.
The story is told in alternating POVs between Maya and Chaya. While they are inseparable and have the same interests in the beginning of the story, we quickly learn through their POVs that Maya is dealing with anxiety. She is also under a tremendous amount of pressure, some of it self-driven, a lot of it expectations from the adults in her life. Maya's anxiety is the twins' secret, and although Maya is suffering from it, Chaya also carries the burden of her sister's pain. Chaya decides that it's best for Maya and her anxiety if they no longer do the same activities. So Chaya quits classical piano, joins theater, and makes new friends. And with that, the twins grow apart, and start to resent each other.
Because this is middle grade, the topics, while very serious, are dealt with in a way that is very relatable for any middle schooler. Maya's coping mechanisms (while heartbreaking for my mom heart), are noticed keenly by Chaya, and by their close childhood friend Jay. Maya has a loving and supportive family, and even though her parents fight and that adds to her anxiety levels, they want what's best for her. There is a lot of love and compassion in woven into the book.
My own middle schooler started feeling anxious last year, and we signed her up for counseling/therapy. It really helped, and her therapist shared some techniques for how to settle herself when the anxious feelings arose in her stomach. I love that books like this are part of children's literature, so that kids who are struggling with their mental health see themselves represented.
Talk to your kids about the trigger warnings, but this is a must read for any 10+ kid.
Rajani LaRocca has delivered another beautiful, heartwarming, genuine, relevant, stunning novel in verse! Red, White, and Whole is one of my favorite middle grade novel in verse books, and the book that got me hooked on the novel in verse genre. I was sooooo excited to hear that LaRocca was coming out with another novel in verse middle grade book. And this one definitely lived up to my expectations.
My husband is a mirror twin. He and his brother are like Maya and Chaya, the mirror twins in this book. They are identical and mirror images of each other, one is left handed and the other right handed, one has a dimple in his left cheek and the other in his right cheek. So I understand the special relationship that mirror twins have with each other, and how much they look alike.
The story is told in alternating POVs between Maya and Chaya. While they are inseparable and have the same interests in the beginning of the story, we quickly learn through their POVs that Maya is dealing with anxiety. She is also under a tremendous amount of pressure, some of it self-driven, a lot of it expectations from the adults in her life. Maya's anxiety is the twins' secret, and although Maya is suffering from it, Chaya also carries the burden of her sister's pain. Chaya decides that it's best for Maya and her anxiety if they no longer do the same activities. So Chaya quits classical piano, joins theater, and makes new friends. And with that, the twins grow apart, and start to resent each other.
Because this is middle grade, the topics, while very serious, are dealt with in a way that is very relatable for any middle schooler. Maya's coping mechanisms (while heartbreaking for my mom heart), are noticed keenly by Chaya, and by their close childhood friend Jay. Maya has a loving and supportive family, and even though her parents fight and that adds to her anxiety levels, they want what's best for her. There is a lot of love and compassion in woven into the book.
My own middle schooler started feeling anxious last year, and we signed her up for counseling/therapy. It really helped, and her therapist shared some techniques for how to settle herself when the anxious feelings arose in her stomach. I love that books like this are part of children's literature, so that kids who are struggling with their mental health see themselves represented.
Talk to your kids about the trigger warnings, but this is a must read for any 10+ kid.
February 18, 2023
NetGalley ARC
Releases March 21, 2023
I loved this novel in verse! The main premise centers on twins Maya and Chaya. Music is a huge part of their lives, but they notice themselves branching off into more individual identities and the interests. When they go to their annual summer camp, they switch places (a bit like Parent Trap), and the twin who can keep up the act longer gets to choose where they will attend school the following year. Of course, both twins develop an empathy for each other that they weren’t able to before. Such beautiful language, and explores anxiety in a very real and honest way. Maya has struggled with it for several years, after a mirror breaks and she holds on to the superstitious belief of seven years of bad luck. Anxiety over generations, and keeping silent about it, is also alluded to in an authentic way. Just a beautiful read about family, living your authentic self, and reaching out for help.
Releases March 21, 2023
I loved this novel in verse! The main premise centers on twins Maya and Chaya. Music is a huge part of their lives, but they notice themselves branching off into more individual identities and the interests. When they go to their annual summer camp, they switch places (a bit like Parent Trap), and the twin who can keep up the act longer gets to choose where they will attend school the following year. Of course, both twins develop an empathy for each other that they weren’t able to before. Such beautiful language, and explores anxiety in a very real and honest way. Maya has struggled with it for several years, after a mirror breaks and she holds on to the superstitious belief of seven years of bad luck. Anxiety over generations, and keeping silent about it, is also alluded to in an authentic way. Just a beautiful read about family, living your authentic self, and reaching out for help.
August 7, 2023
5 stars. What if you’re my favorite sister? What if you’re mine? 7th grade twins love music and each other. However their personalities are distinct: Maya is concerned about being perfect, Chaya more outgoing a risk taking. When Chaya notices a harmful behavior in her sister, she pulls back from their joint interests and activities so that Maya can step out of Chaya’s shadow. Love that their family and friends noticed the plan they have for their beloved summer music camp. Believable look at anxiety in MG age kids, artistic kids, and family situations. Novel in verse format reads quickly, but take your time to truly understand these girls. Loved it - wonder if my twin nieces ever felt this way?
December 13, 2022
LaRocca's Mirror Mirror is a story about finding yourself, having empathy, and learning how to have grace as things change in life. These huge life lessons weave themselves through the poetry on the pages. Words swirl, filled with meaning that lends itself to rich discussions. Readers go on a journey with twins, Maya and Chaya, as they discover who they are, where they are going, and who they are meant to be to not only themselves but others who surround them. LaRocca once again paints a picture with her words that leave footprints on the reader's hearts.
January 28, 2023
Another beautiful novel written in verse from Rajani LaRocca. Told in alternating perspectives of identical twin sisters, Maya and Chaya, readers quickly see the differences in mindset of the sisters. One is a perfectionist, struggling with anxiety and the other is easygoing, yet feeling the heaviness of what is weighing on her sister. Music helps tell the story of mental health and the power of letting the ones you love see you and be there for you. Thank you Quill Tree Books for the digital e-galley.
February 20, 2023
Novels- in-verse are my jam and this one did not disappoint. The world sees these twin sisters as identical, but in the mirror, these sisters are different. To each sister, they are the one. These once-close sisters can’t seem to find their rhythm and each of them is sacrificing herself for the other. How will they find their way back to each other? This emotionally complex story deals with tween mental health and anxiety in an authentic and much needed way.
June 1, 2024
Identical twins Chaya and Maya have always book so close, but now it feels like they are growing apart. On a bet, they switch places at summer camp. Will walking in each other's shoes help them understand where their relationship is going?
I enjoyed this verse novel, though it didn't have the emotional heft of the author's earlier Red, White, and Whole. Recommended to readers who enjoy realistic fiction for middle-graders, especially novels in verse.
I enjoyed this verse novel, though it didn't have the emotional heft of the author's earlier Red, White, and Whole. Recommended to readers who enjoy realistic fiction for middle-graders, especially novels in verse.
January 16, 2023
Newbery-honor winner Rajani LaRocca is back with a powerful tale of twins separated by a terrible secret. MIRROR TO MIRROR addresses the important topic of teen mental health and the toll anxiety can take not just on the person suffering, but on an entire family. The entire tale is told in spare, exquisite verse, which weaves in motifs of music, musical theater, and more. A must read!
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