Two Much Alike

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Connie (short for Conroy) and Carrie (Caroline) Taylor are mirror
twins—identical in every way, except that Connie’s right ear is bent
whereas it is Carrie’s left ear that is bent. The twins are dressed
the same, with their hair parted in the middle, so no one can tell them
apart. Even the girls themselves can’t tell which is which when they
look at pictures of themselves. Up until their 12th birthday the girls
have been inseparable. Now all of a sudden Carrie wants to branch out,
to do things on her own and make new friends. For the first time in her
life, Connie feels alone, and she doesn’t like it.

Like most of Bernice Thurman Hunter’s books, Two Much Alike focuses
on characters and incidents rather than plot. The novel is filled with
small details of daily family life and other mid-20th-century things.
For example, readers will be fascinated by her description of the
Taylor’s “giant 17–inch screen” black-and-white television, and,
hopefully, they will have grandparents who can still remember The Ed
Sullivan “Shew,” Toni home permanents, and Durant motor cars. (A
glossary would be helpful.)

Few young children haven’t wondered and dreamed of what it would be
like to have a twin, and they will undoubtedly enjoy this delightful
story that explores the advantages and pitfalls of being a twin. Highly
recommended.