12 May Review: The Scooter Twins
The Scooter Twins
Written by Dorothy Ellen Palmer; illustrated by Maria Sweeney
Groundwood Books, 2024
ISBN: 9781773066295 (hardcover)
ISBN: 9781773066301 (eBook)
ISBN: 9781773066318 (Kindle)
$21.99 CAD (hardcover)
$16.99 CAD (eBook, Kindle)
32 pages
Ages: 6 to 9 years old
Review by: Elisabeth de Grandpré
Melanie and Melvin need to go to the doctor for their eighth birthday. The twins find out that because of their disability, they have to get mobility scooters to get to school. They navigate different emotions, while dealing with the change: from financial strain on their grandmother to needing to self-advocate with a store clerk because their disability isn’t visible. Author Dorothy Ellen Palmer doesn’t tell the reader which disability the twins are living with, making this book very accessible. The children have different expectations and sensibilities; Melanie wants fast and shiny, whereas Melvin wants safe and slow. However, they find a connection with each other and experience riding together, as the titular Scooter Twins. I enjoyed the simplicity of the story, even though it deals with complex issues. I’d recommend it for anyone looking for books on navigating disability or sibling dynamics. This book would be great for school and public library collections.