Take Two (novel) facts for kids

Take Two is an exciting novel for young readers, published in 2010. It was written by Julia DeVillers and Jennifer Roy. This book is part of their popular series about twin sisters.

What's the Story About?

Take Two continues the adventures of identical twin sisters, Payton and Emma Mills. The story picks up right after their first book, Trading Faces. The twins are supposed to be in detention. Instead, they get called to their school guidance counselor's office.

The counselor, Mrs. Case, tells them they must do community service. Emma has to tutor Mrs. Case's eight-year-old twin boys. These boys are a bit troublesome, which adds more stress for Emma.

Dealing with Middle School Life

Both twins face the usual challenges of middle school. They have their own friends but stay very close. Payton is good friends with Tess. She also starts to like Nick, who works backstage for the school play. Payton also has to deal with Sydney and Cashmere, who often try to make her feel bad. She works on learning to stand up for herself.

Emma is friends with Quinn. She also has a special connection with Ox, even though they are not officially dating. It is clear they like each other a lot. Emma also has a rival, Jazmine James. Jazmine is another very smart girl, and they are both very competitive.

Emma's Choices

As Emma's friendship with Quinn grows and her feelings for Ox get stronger, she feels confused. Tutoring the twin boys is also tough. They even bring a gecko to their lessons, which makes things harder for Emma.

Emma feels she has to choose between her social life and winning academic competitions. She decides to focus only on school, becoming "AcadEmma" again. This upsets Quinn and Ox. Emma even breaks up with Ox and ignores Quinn's invitations to hang out. By the end, Ox still wants to be with Emma, even though his parents say he is too young to date.

Payton's Challenges

Meanwhile, Payton works in the school play's basement. She is upset that Tess, Sydney, and others get to be in the play. Sydney constantly bothers her. Payton feels left out. She even pretends to be Emma to eat lunch in the library.

When she sees her friends from the play practicing without her, she feels sad. Payton becomes better friends with Tess. She also starts to like Nick, and he likes her back, but they do not realize it yet.

The Big Night

Things start to get better for the Mills twins. Emma wins her math competition. Then, on the night of the school play, Sydney breaks her ankle. Payton gets to take over Sydney's role as Glinda from "The Wizard of Oz."

However, one of the twins Emma tutors, Mason Case-Babbitt, loses his gecko. Payton has to look for it because Emma is scared of small reptiles. So, Emma takes Payton's place in the play. Everyone, except Tess, thinks it is Payton on stage.

Emma then faces her fear of geckos. She searches the basement herself, realizing how important the play is to Payton. Payton then goes on stage to perform.

After the Play

After the play, Payton and Emma meet Nick's family. Emma realizes she can be good at school and competitions while also having a social life. She and Ox become "unofficial" boyfriend and girlfriend. Their parents think they are too young to date officially.

Payton starts to understand her feelings for Nick. This is explored more in the next book. The Mills twins learn that everything will work out for them.

Meet the Characters

Here are some of the main characters you will meet in Take Two:

• Payton Mills: She is the twin who loves fashion and being social. She is friends with Tess and Nick.
• Emma Mills: She is the twin who is serious and loves studying. She has an unofficial relationship with Ox and is good friends with Quinn. She also likes fashion, like Payton, but is not as showy about it.
• Mason Case-Babbitt: He is one of Mrs. Case's twin sons. He is the more mischievous twin and has a crush on Payton.
• Jason Case-Babbitt: He is the other of Mrs. Case's twin sons. He is smart and loves math, even working at a ninth-grade level.
• Ox Garrett: He is a popular quarterback who likes Emma, and she likes him back. He chooses Emma because he likes how smart and down-to-earth she is.
• Nick: He is Payton's friend and crush. He works backstage for school plays. He and Payton have feelings for each other. He is well-liked, even though he is a bit nerdy.
• Quinn: She is one of Emma's friends. She is part of Sydney's group but often does not enjoy Sydney's bad attitude.
• Tess: She is Payton's friend. She used to be friends with Jazmine but realized how mean Jazmine could be.
• Sydney Fish: She is Payton and Emma's rival. She is very rude to both twins. She is described as very pretty with shiny, sharp hair.
• Jazmine James: She is Emma's main rival. She is very good at academics, like Emma, and competes with her often. Her friend Hector is usually with her.
• Cashmere: She is Sydney's follower and is often scared of Sydney. She is described as having wavy blonde hair. She is also a "clothes mooch."
• Hector: He is Jazmine's friend. He is not as rude as Jazmine but can still be unpleasant.
• Mrs. Burkle: She is Payton and Emma's English teacher. She also runs the drama club. She is very enthusiastic and once dreamed of being on Broadway.
• Counselor Case: She is the school guidance counselor and is married to Coach Babbitt.
• Coach Babbitt: He is Emma's math team coach and is married to Counselor Case.