Opposite Identicals by Deborah Kerbel

Opposite Identicals is an upper middle grade novel set in the very near future — a time when climate change has irreversibly altered our planet and lifestyles. Nova and Joule are fourteen-year old twins whose scientist parents have recently uprooted the family from their urban home and moved to the country on a year-long research assignment, studying the effects of GMO ‘SuperCrop’ farming on the environment in the final regulatory phase before global expansion. Surrounded by nature and quiet, open spaces, shy, bookish Nova is in heaven. But Joule – whose life’s ambition is to be famous and reach a million Hollagram followers – is desperate to escape. One day, Joule gets her wish, although not in a way anyone ever expected. In an instant, she’s gone – swallowed up by a mysterious sinkhole under her bedroom floor. Suddenly twinless, Nova is forced to step in and lead the search for her missing sister. But can she face her fears and figure out what caused the sinkhole in time to save Joule?

Told from alternating points of view, it’s a fantastical adventure about overcoming obstacles, self-discovery, and environmental awareness.

Deborah Kerbel is the critically acclaimed author of numerous books for young readers. Her titles include the wordless picture book Whirl and the middle grade novels Feathered, Under the Moon (which was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award), and Fred and Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin (a Junior Library Guild gold standard selection). Deborah lives with her family in Thornhill, Ontario.