The Do-Over (Do Over #1)

Gr 3-7--Twins Lucinda and Raquel Mendoza haven't been close since their parents' divorce. Raquel has a tendency to organize and dictate their lives. To cope, Lucinda has committed herself to ice-skating. When a pandemic forces them to quarantine, Raquel remains busy with her school newspaper, but Lucinda is sidelined and anxious about keeping up her training. When the girls' mother decides to send them to their father's ranch to continue quarantining, Raquel convinces their mother to join them at the ranch, hoping that the experience will rekindle the parents' relationship. Unfortunately, the twins discover that their father has moved his new girlfriend and her daughter into the ranch as well. Raquel is undeterred, but Lucinda is not on board, and becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her twin's schemes. This gentle remix of The Parent Trap with a pandemic twist is entertaining. While the pandemic realities of toilet paper hoarding, virtual schooling, and staying sane in close proximity are depicted, they are not the focus. The portrayal of the fraying sibling bond is sympathetic and realistic, as is the challenge of blending families. The adults are involved, supportive, and committed to maintaining family ties. There's humor, drama, and some bad decisions that will keep tween readers engaged. VERDICT A timely, pleasing addition to the realistic middle grade fiction shelf.--Brenda Kahn