Jake and Lily

Jake and Lily
by Jerry Spinelli

Twins Jake and Lily share a lot of things, including their secret power to communicate to each other through their thoughts.  The summer they turn eleven, however, everything changes.   They each get their own room and Jake starts hanging out with the neighborhood bully's gang, "The Death Rays".    Jake loves the new changes, but Lily just wants things to go back to the way they used to be.    As Jake and his new friends get into troubling, and often cruel, adventures, Lily struggles to create an identity separate from the one she shared with her twin.   They each want to find a new identity, but will they do it in a way where they can truly be happy with themselves? 

What a great book!  I think a lot of readers will be able to relate to Jake and Lily.  The things that each twin dealt with are struggles faced by many: making new friends, bullies, and finding oneself.    I recommend this book to any reader looking for a good realistic fiction novel.  

Author's Website:  http://www.jerryspinelli.com/newbery_001.htm