Gemini

Seventeen-year-old conjoined twins Clara and Hailey are tired of their small community in Bear Pass, Calif. Though their parents have shielded them from outsiders and instilled in them a sense of normalcy, the twins question whether their limited world is enough. When astronomy-loving Clara meets new classmate Max, she is instantly intrigued. Encouraged by her artistic, pink-haired sister, Clara pursues Max while Hailey pursues Alek, a fellow art student. With dating, dances, and college on the horizon, the girls wrestle with what is possible and whether the world beyond Bear Pass will accept them. After confrontations with fellow classmates, the twins recognize their own fears and misconceptions, leading them to consider whether they are better off together or apart. Writing in the distinct voices of both Hailey and Clara, debut author Mukherjee chronicles multiple aspects of life as a conjoined twin. Each sister’s selflessness toward the other is stirring, but Mukherjee’s descriptions (“we scuttled down the ramp”) can occasionally suggest spectacle at the expense of story. Though uplifting, the ending feels overly convenient, undermining the nuances of conjoined identity explored. Ages 14–up. Agent: Steven Chudney, Chudney Agency. (July)