Lost and Found

May 19, 2008
Identical twins Ray and Jay Grayson prepare for yet another year of being perceived as “two peas in a pod, two ducks on a pond, two spoons in a drawer,” when their family moves from Colorado to Cleveland before the start of sixth grade. But when Ray gets sick on the first day of school and Jay discovers that Ray's school records have been misplaced, the two hatch a plan to alternate attendance, at least for the first week or so, and see what it feels like to be viewed as an individual. This slim story has all the elements readers have come to expect from Clements (Frindle
): a school setting, likable secondary characters, supportive adults and a challenge to the audience to see things from a different perspective. While verisimilitude is never a priority in Clements's storytelling, this plot strains more than usual for effect: the Grayson parents seem particularly obtuse to their sons' switches, given how sensitive they turn out to be, and the case against twindom seems heavily (and gratuitously) stacked. The result: an entertaining story in a minor key. Final art not seen by PW
. Ages 8–12.

October 1, 2008
Gr 3-6-Twins Ray and Jay Grayson have recently moved to Ohio. For years the boys have longed to be seen as individuals rather than as "part of a pair." Due to a "clerical oversight," their first week of sixth grade gives them the chance. Ray stays home sick the first day, and Jay is on his own. He enjoys meeting his new classmates, but he is a bit baffled that no one, not even his teachers, seems to know that his brother exists. After some investigation, he realizes that the school only has records for one of them. Hilarityand confusionensues as the boys take turns being Jay. This novel is true to form for Clements. Relationships are well developed and realistic, and the author shows a strong understanding of the experience of being a twin. The use of similar names for the protagonists makes following the plot a bit confusing at times, but readers will quickly turn the pages to find out what the boys are up to next and whether they will be caught. The full-page pencil illustrations are a bit misleadingthey are not always in sync with the author's description of Ray and Jay as "completely identical." Although this book is not as memorable as "Frindle" (S & S, 1996) and some of Clements's other novels, it is a treat for those who are into the author's brand of "that could totally happen at my school" fiction."Jessica Kerlin, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2008
When the Graysons move to a new town, 12-year-old twins Jay and Ray take advantage of a paperwork glitch at school to see what it would be like not to be regarded as one of a matched pair. They take turns going to school, each answering to the name Jay Grayson. Though physically Ray and Jay are nearly identical, their different personalities, abilities, and interests (not to mention the difficulties of one twin staying home each day and logistics of not appearing together in public) make it difficult to keep up the game for long. Details of life in class, at home, and on the playing field keep the story grounded. Combining his insight into the minds of middle-grade boys with his experience as the father of twins, Clements creates a thoroughly engaging and usually convincing chapter book.Theres built-in appeal for twins, but singletons will like it too. To be illustrated with pencil drawings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2009
Identical twins Jay and Ray try out life as a composite individual when Ray is sick for the first day of sixth grade and no one notices. The boys take turns being Jay, but their different talents trip them up. Clements depicts their quarrels energetically and honestly. The short, easy-to-parse sentences, conversational tone, light, funny style, and realistic school setting are appealing.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2008
Identical twins Jay and Ray Grayson seize the opportunity to try out life as a composite individual instead of as twins when Ray is sick for the first day of sixth grade at a new school and no one notices. For a few days, the boys take turns being Jay, but their different talents -- such as Jay's skill at soccer and Ray's relaxed flirtatious style with girls -- eventually trip them up. Clements's experience as the father of identical twin sons gives him insight into the boys' relationship, and he depicts their quarrels energetically and honestly. Clements employs too many sentence fragments ("Which was a lie.") here, making his prose unusually choppy; however, the short, easy-to-parse sentences, conversational tone, light, funny style, and typically realistic school setting will appeal to many readers.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)