The Double Fudge Dare

The trouble begins when twins Meg and Kit move in next door to ``Bratty Bart'' and Brett. Meg likes to pick fights with boys, and she particularly enjoys daring Bart to attempt unpleasant tasks. Kit, on the other hand, is embarrassed by her twin's aggressiveness, and is preoccupied with plans to move their grandmother in with them. Further, she doesn't understand the confusing feelings she has for Brett. Together Meg and Kit devise a scheme which does not unfold exactly as planned, but does bring them new friendships. Ladd touches upon many themes in this story: self-discovery, friendship, sibling relationships, romantic feelings, intergenerational relationships, divorce, moving and single-parent families. Her attempt to incorporate all of them into one book may overwhelm readers, but in spite of that, this is an offbeat and often amusing story. Ages 8-12. (Mar.)