Twin Magic: School Bully, Beware!

Twin Magic: School Bully, Beware! by Kate Ledger, illustrated by Kyla May (Scholastic Inc)

PB RRP $6.99

ISBN 978-0-545-48026-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Lottie and Mia are twins but they are not the same in every way. Mia is an early riser while Lottie likes to sleep in; Mia is tidy while Lottie's room is always in a mess. But one thing they have in common is their best friend Toby who they walk to school with.

One day at school there is a new boy who is mean. He scowls, pushes in and doesn't play fair in the school yard. All it takes is a little misdirection by Toby and some 'twin magic' and Lottie and Mia can discover what Max's true problem is.  Once again the twins link pinkie fingers and chant the magic spell:

            ‘When Twins get together

We’re stronger than ever!

Twin magic azam,

Let’s do what we can!’

The bright colourful illustrations are very attractive for younger girls, those just beginning to read, and the appeal of magic, unicorns and twins are fairly universal in this young female age range. The themes of friends, teamwork and seeing beyond surface appearances are good issues to explore too.

School Bully, Beware! is the second in the new Twin Magic series for girls between six and eight (after Lost Tooth Rescue) and is a good start for stand-alone reading.

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