published by balzer and bray (harpercollins)

Beyond their first names, Naomi Marie and Naomi Edith are sure they have nothing in common, and wouldn’t mind keeping it that way. Naomi Marie starts clubs at the library and adores being a big sister. Naomi Edith loves quiet Saturdays and hanging with her best friend in her backyard. And while Naomi Marie’s father lives a few blocks away, Naomi Edith wonders how she’s supposed to get through each day a whole country apart from her mother.

When Naomi Marie’s mom and Naomi Edith’s dad get serious about dating, each girl tries to cling to the life she knows and loves. Then their parents push them into attending a class together, where they might just have to find a way to work with each other—and maybe even join forces to find new ways to define family.

"The girls are funny and introspective, and their middle-class lives are rich with culture, creativity, and simple pleasures—day trips to the beach, bakery treats, imaginative games. Rhuday-Perkovich and Vernick offer young readers and their parents realistic, thoughtful insights into the emotional terrain of post-divorce family life and co-parenting. A smart, endearing story about two girls who are blending families, growing up, and building a friendship."--Kirkus (starred review)

" The theme of family is prominent throughout, and this is an excellent pick for students who may be dealing with similar issues. This selection manages to present a sweet coming-of-age story without being preachy or overly dramatic. Highly recommended for all middle grade collections looking for relatable realistic fiction."--School Library Journal

"Rhuday-Perkovich and Vernick realistically capture the challenges facing the girls, like arguing about whose favorite bakery to visit, the issue of their shared name, and their conflicted feelings regarding their other parents. ... their worries about their shifting families resonate. Alternately narrated by both girls, this tale of a family blending together is warm, upbeat, and satisfying."--Publishers Weekly

“Rhuday-Perkovich and Vernick hit all the right sister notes with hilarity and heart. Hopefully we have not heard the last of these two Naomis.” (Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor author of One Crazy Summer)

“This book won my heart with its laughter, love, and achingly-beautiful longing. Rhuday-Perkovich and Vernick are masters of All The Feels.” (Tracey Baptiste, author of The Jumbies, a School Library Journal selection)

“I could describe this book as suffused with empathy, intensely vulnerable, fall-out-of-your-chair funny, and much more, but instead I’ll just describe what it’s like to read it, which I can do with one word: joy. To read Two Naomis is to experience joy.” (Mike Jung, author of Unidentified Suburban Object)

“A gem of a novel about forging friendships and families, Two Naomis absolutely sparkles with humor and heart….Filled with good intentions and messy emotions, they show readers what it means to try and fail and forgive. I loved the Naomis so much!” (Kate Messner, author of All the Answers and The Seventh Wish)