The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other)

Starred review from February 2, 2015
Even the trigger for this “war” between two New York City twins is up for debate, because 12-year-olds Claudia and Reese Tapper can’t agree on anything. But after Reese accuses Claudia of farting in the crowded sixth-grade cafeteria for all to hear, including Claudia’s (shh, don’t tell) crush, she is out for revenge. After a few amusing false starts, such as hiding a dead fish in Reese’s backpack (he doesn’t really notice the smell), Claudia realizes that she needs to hit Reese where it hurts: the empire he’s built in his beloved, Minecraft-esque online game. Constructed through photos, text messages, interviews transcripts, screenshots, and more, the book is conceived as an oral history, and the documentary format allows the Tapper twins, their parents, friends, and private-school setting to spring to life. Rodkey (the Chronicles of Egg series) clearly knows his audience, as well as the love that (usually) hides underneath sibling warfare. The clear-cut winners are readers of this uproarious series opener, which is packed with both laugh-out-loud moments and heart. Ages 8–12. Agent: Josh Getzler, Hannigan Salky Getzler.

A full-cast narration brings together the wild and crazy war between twins Claudia and Reese in this start to a new middle-grade series. Recounting the story as an oral history, Claudia uses text messages, recordings, interviews, and more to explain why she went to war with her brother. Offering a full cast to narrate truly gives the audiobook the sound of oral history as well as creating the opportunity to give each character a well-rounded and hilarious reading. From Claudia's insistence that the war has nothing to do with the cute new exchange student to Reese's obsession with his online video game world, each narrator makes his or her character stand out. The full cast also works well in narrating the text messages and notes from parents. A delightful listen is made even more so by a stellar cast. S.B.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine