Jake and Lily

Beloved Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli, author of Maniac Magee and Wringer, addresses issues of identity, belonging, family, and bullying in this humorous and heartfelt novel about twins. 

Jake and Lily are twins. Despite their slightly different interests and temperaments, they feel exactly the same—like two halves of one person. But the year they turn eleven, everything changes. Their parents announce it’s time for separate bedrooms. Jake starts hanging out with a pack of boys on the block. And Lily is devastated, not to mention angry. Who is she without Jake? And as her brother falls under the influence of the neighborhood bully, he also must ask himself—who is the real Jake?

This is an often funny, poignant, and profound story of growing up, growing apart, and the difficult process of figuring out who you really are.

This is a story about me, Lily.
And me, Jake.
We're twins and we're exactly alike.
Not exactly!
Whatever. This is a book we wrote about the summer we turned eleven and Jake ditched me.
Please. I just started hanging out with some guys in the neighborhood.
Right. So anyway, this is a book about
goobers and supergoobers
bullies
clubhouses
true friends
things getting built and wrecked and rebuilt
and about figuring out who we are.
We wrote this together
(sort of)
so you'll get to see both sides of our story.
But you'll probably agree with my side.
You always have to have the last word, don't you?
Yes!

Praise for Wringer: “Deeply felt. Presents a moral question with great care and sensitivity.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Spinelli understands some aspects of childhood better than anyone else since Beverly Cleary.” - Washington Post

Praise for Smiles to Go: “Spinelli employs a fresh voice and honest perspective to mine the prickly intersections of family, friendship, and growing up, with emotionally resonant results.” - ALA Booklist

“Spinelli, the accomplished author of Maniac Magee and many other books for YAs, has a knack for creating offbeat characters readers will root for, and all the characters in this novel will win your heart.” - KLIATT

Praise for Loser: “Spinelli demonstrates the differences between those who can continue to see with the more compassionate ‘little-kid eyes’ and those who lose sight of what is truly important.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Double the feelings, double the fun.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Spinelli’s hallmark issues—individuality, nonconformity, alienation, standing up for the little guy—figure prominently, and the messages are convincingly worked into the story.” - Horn Book Magazine

“Each character is portrayed with emotional subtlety and conviction, while their juxtaposed viewpoints bring the energy of opposing forces to the story.” - Booklist

“Spinelli is a poet of the prepubescent…Nobody is better than Spinelli when it comes to creating the grade-school world of qualified innocence—and treading a fine line between challenge and reassurance.” - New York Times Book Review

★ “Spinelli adroitly balances emotional tension with introspective moments in this smart and funny story.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)