Two Naomis

July 4, 2016
Two 10-year-old girls with the same first name are forced to get to know each other when their divorced parents start dating. When the Naomis are introduced, they are less than thrilled, though Naomi Marie’s younger sister, Brianna, doesn’t mind as much, immediately starting to refer to Naomi E. as “White Naomi” (Naomi Marie and her family are black). Their parents, eager to help the girls connect, sign them up for a computer programming class and plan numerous family outings. Rhuday-Perkovich (8th Grade Superzero) and Vernick (Screaming at the Ump) realistically capture the challenges facing the girls, like arguing about whose favorite bakery to visit, the issue of their shared name, and their conflicted feelings regarding their other parents (Naomi Marie’s father lives nearby, while Naomi E.’s mother is out in California). While it’s clear that the girls will become friends—they are both too thoughtful and kind for any other outcome to feel possible—their worries about their shifting families resonate. Alternately narrated by both girls, this tale of a family blending together is warm, upbeat, and satisfying. Ages 8–12. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary.

Starred review from July 15, 2016
Two girls named Naomi build an unlikely friendship after their parents begin dating each other. Ten-year-olds Naomi Marie and Naomi Edith don't seem to have much in common besides their names. Naomi Marie is black, active in extracurriculars, and a big sister to 4-year-old Brianna. Naomi Edith is white, more of a homebody, and an only child. Naomi Marie's divorced parents live near each other. Naomi Edith is also co-parented, but she lives with her dad while her mom works temporarily across the country in California. When Naomi Edith's dad and Naomi Marie's mom take their dating relationship to the next level and introduce their daughters, both Naomis are overwhelmed. They chafe at their parents' signing them up for a weekly video game-coding class for girls. Forced to spend time together--and to work together to design a game--the Naomis must face their differences and the changes happening in their families. The Naomis narrate their shared story in alternating chapters written by the book's co-authors. The girls are funny and introspective, and their middle-class lives are rich with culture, creativity, and simple pleasures--day trips to the beach, bakery treats, imaginative games. Rhuday-Perkovich and Vernick offer young readers and their parents realistic, thoughtful insights into the emotional terrain of post-divorce family life and co-parenting. A smart, endearing story about two girls who are blending families, growing up, and building a friendship. (Fiction. 8-13)

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August 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-Naomi Marie is African American, hardworking, a big sister, and finally feeling adjusted to living with her mother since her parents' divorce. Naomi E. is white, quiet, an only child, and dealing with feelings of abandonment after her parents got divorced and her mom moved to California. When the two Naomis are forced to meet after their parents begin dating, they discover they may be more alike than they could have ever imagined. Told in alternating viewpoints, this novel allows readers to experience all the emotions these two 10-year-olds face as they deal with their parents' new relationships, best friends, school problems, and annoying little sisters. Children will identify with the characters, who confront realistic problems such as parents making decisions without consulting their kids. The girls' voices are authentically tweenlike. Frequent references to different cultural items (e.g., Rahul dolls) and books (including Rita Garcia Williams's One Crazy Summer) will likely prompt readers to seek additional information. The theme of family is prominent throughout, and this is an excellent pick for students who may be dealing with similar issues. This selection manages to present a sweet coming-of-age story without being preachy or overly dramatic. VERDICT Highly recommended for all middle grade collections looking for relatable realistic fiction.-Ashley Leffel, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2016
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* Naomi Marie's momma (Valerie) is dating Naomi Edith's dad (Tom). As things get serious, the adults encourage the daughters (including Naomi Marie's four-year-old sister, Brianna) to get to know each other. Both Naomis experience awkwardness and frustration as they are forced to interact through shared meals and surprise outings. Although they make efforts to be friendly, they feel conflicted about their loyalties to their other parents, which make them resist further family changes. When Val and Tom enroll their respective Naomis in a coding class without their knowledge, and the two girls must work on a project together, their suppressed tensions come to a head. The alternating first-person viewpoints allow readers to get inside both Naomis' heads and understand their motivations. This story of two families coming together is grounded and sweet, never cloying, with the dialogue of both major and minor characters being perfectly authentic. Both girls are self-aware and mature for being only 10, though these character traits come off as believable. Naomi Marie is black and Naomi Edith is white, and the issues around blending an interracial family aren't much explored, but that is a quibble in a book so seamlessly written. Recommended for all children who appreciate realistic contemporary stories.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)