17 Jun / Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin
Despite the fact that Ling and Ting are twins, they are not – regardless of their many similarities, regardless of what the barber says – exactly the same! And ever since Ting sneezed at just the wrong moment during their latest haircuts and lost an uneven chunk of her bangs, everyone now knows that the twins are clearly, definitely, irrefutably not exactly the same! Ahh-chooo indeed!
From magic tricks (done by Ling, forgotten by Ting), to making dumplings (“dump-Lings” by Ling and “dump-Tings” by Ting!), to eating with chopsticks (for Ling) or a fork (for Ling), to borrowing books and telling mixed-up stories (both), Ling and Ting share one adventure after another … with always the promise of more fun to come …
For longtime Grace Lin fans, her latest is a delightful treasure hunt as well as an entertaining read … look carefully and you’ll find the covers of some of her other fabulous books, including the 2010 Newbery Honor title Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, her two books based on her own childhood adventures with her best friend-now-editor The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat, and her adoption fairy tale The Red Thread. She even lets Ling and Ting have the first and last words … complete with popcorn and soft drinks. What more could you wish for in this mini-literary feast?
Readers: Children, Middle Grade
Published: 2010
I loved this book as well–it’s nice to be able to celebrate differences! However, I’d reconsider the reading level of this book; I believe it is at level for early elementary.
I’m sure all able readers will enjoy this book! I went with the ‘official’ designations of books for this blog … picture/middle-grade/young adult … but yes, absolutely, this title is perfect for younger readers! Thanks for pointing that out.