TEGAN AND SARA

The high and lows of preteens navigating school and life, inspired by the Quin sibling pop duo’s actual childhoods.

Identical twin sisters Tegan and Sara have moved and are entering a new junior high in Calgary where they’ll be in different classes, making everything even more intimidating. They navigate a slew of awkward, messy moments—making new friends and keeping faraway ones, getting their first bras and first periods, crushing on cute classmates, trying to be cool but still appreciating dorky parents, and living separate lives while trying to remain close to each other. Eventually they find their stepfather’s guitar in the garage, and making music together not only mends some rifts in their relationship, but begins a meaningful, far-reaching creative journey. The setting has been updated for modern audiences and includes cellphones and Taylor Swift references. The narrative switches between depictions of the characters going through real life (drawn in purple tones) and interludes in which the twins, color-coded with light blue for Tegan and pale maroon for Sara, share their innermost thoughts, feelings, and reflections with readers. The story is sweet, focusing on the all-important relationships of tween life. Walden’s illustrations are, as usual, wonderfully expressive. They transition smoothly from busier scenes to quieter ones along the story’s emotional beats. The White twins’ circle of friends includes queer kids and people of color.

Tugs at the heartstrings like a well-tuned guitar.