This book is about Elaine and Barbara who are fraternal twin sisters. They are as different inside and personality wise as they are on the outside physically. Barbara is brash and more likely to get in trouble whereas Elaine is more quiet and studious. The story takes place when the girls are in their senior years, but there are flashbacks to when they were growing up.
The big mystery of the book is why Barbara left in her late teens and never contacted her family to let them know she was OK. She disappeared for decades until Elaine is going through her parents things and finds a clue to where Barbara might be.
The author very ably told a story of young girls in the 1940s, in a Jewish neighborhood growing up with strict but loving parents. The girls both fall for the same guy and he chooses between them causing a rift between the sisters as one girl goes out with the boy and merely plays at being his girlfriend; and the other sister pines away in quiet. Interweaved in the background of this story is the threat of Hitler and America getting into the war.
I really enjoyed this book because of the realistic story line. I hope that despite my telling you I couldn't remember the book while I was reading it - that you will still give this book a try - because it is definitely worth it.
Rating: 8 / 10
ISBN: 9780679643746
Publisher: Random House
Edition: 1st Edition