From Twinkle, with Love
By Lucinda Dyer,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sparkling romantic comedy has lots to say about friendship.
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Based on 2 parent reviews
Good
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Cute storyline but poorly executed
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What's the Story?
The Twinkle in FROM TWINKLE, WITH LOVE is a 16-year-old Indian American who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her parents and grandmother. Unlike many of the kids at her charter school, Twinkle's family is working class (they can't even afford to get her a phone) and will most likely not be able to fund her dream of going to film school. Twinkle describes herself as one of the "groundlings" -- the uncool kids -- and wants to find a way to transform herself from invisible to someone everyone will recognize. She's confused and heartbroken when her longtime best friend, Maddie, makes that transition and now hangs out with a clique of very cool girls. Most of all, she wants to become visible to Neil Roy, one of the most popular boys in school. When Neil's often invisible twin brother, Sahil, suggests that he and Twinkle produce a gender-bending remake of Dracula for the school's Midsummer Arts Festival, she can't believe her luck: a chance to direct a film and get close to Neil. What she doesn't have a clue about is that Sahil is crazy about her. Just as Twinkle begins to take a second look at Sahil, she starts receiving emails from a secret admirer who signs himself "N." They must, she thinks, be from Neil. There's plenty of drama before the story ends, as Twinkle and Maddie's friendship almost comes to the breaking point and she and Sahil clash over a reckless decision Twinkle seems determined to make.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet, sparkling romantic comedy has serious messages about friendship, making good moral choices, and never judging people by who they seem to be on the outside. In From Twinkle, with Love, author Sandhya Menon once again builds her story around a funny inspiring Indian American teen who's relatable to any reader who's ever had an unattainable crush, been hurt by a friend, felt like an outsider, or had a big dream for the future.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the friendships in From Twinkle, with Love. Twinkle and her best friend, Maddie, go through some tough times as their friendship changes and evolves. Have you lost touch with someone who was once a close friend? What caused you to grow apart?
If you were going to do a remake of your favorite film, would you make big changes like Twinkle and Sahil did with Dracula? Who would you cast in your remake?
Twinkle has to decide whether to reveal a fellow student's damaging secrets. Did you agree with her decision? Have you ever been in Twinkle's place and had to make a similar choice?
Book Details
- Author: Sandhya Menon
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Arts and Dance , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models , High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon Pulse
- Publication date: May 22, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 329
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: March 20, 2019
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