Sister, Sister meets The Parent Trap in this adorable MG holiday book by @marissameyerauthor & @joanne_levy_
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Aviva Davis could only be described as a vivacious aspiring actress so when her Bubbe’s retirement home is hosting a holiday pageant, she knows it’s her time to shine in the Hanukkah number she plans on creating for this show. Holly Martin can be found with her nose in a book or writing the next great American novel, but when her Grandpa suffers another fall she and her mother decide to tour a retirement home to see if he’s a good fit for the place. Once there, Holly and Aviva run into each and realize they look exactly alike! Once discovering they’re both adopted and have the same birthday, it’s obvious they’re twins separated at birth. They decide to switch places to see what the other’s holiday traditions look like from the inside. Will anyone notice?
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Okay this was precious. I adored the Jewish representation in relation to their religion, culture, traditions and the Yiddish shared as well. We need more books with Jewish representation, period. Not just Hanukkah but Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Purim, etc. I loved both girls’ voices and what they loved and stood for. Can’t wait to get this in my middle school library Thanks @librofm for the ALC.

CW: religious bigotry, injury, blood, medical content, antisemitism, racism

This story really gave off “The Parent Trap” vibes! I found this book to be very sweet and jolly. Perfect for the Christmas season! This was made for more of a younger audience but I still had a good time listening. The narrators did a great job especially distinguishing and giving each twin their own personality. I never felt confused on which twin’s POV I was on. It’s a fun twist to have twins but with different religions. I never knew much about Hanukkah but this story helped teach me a little bit more. I really wanted to know what was said in the letter but I guess I’ll never know. I do feel like it’s very unrealistic that not even the moms guessed what the twins did. I know it’s for plot convenience but I found it a little weird.

Overall, this book was great and I would recommend to any young audience.

Thank you to the authors, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this audiobook.

This is exactly what I'm looking for in a holiday read! It was slam packed with holiday goodness, both Christmas and Hanukkah- which I learned a lot about. Latkes sound delicious and I think I've been missing out my whole life! The narrator (audio) was fantastic engaging and fun to listen to. I was immediately drawn into this story.

I really liked both main characters and their families and seeing the contrasts between the two. I was also shocked (happily) to learn that both girls were adopted and KNEW they were adopted. I think my only complaint is that Aviva was so quick to switch places with Holly after having her whole identity crises and begging her family to celebrate Hanukkah for the first time. Aside from that, this was a fun holiday twist on the identical twins switching places story.

This was a fun, young readers story with Freaky Friday and holiday vibes and is a perfect read for the winter season.

I love that each sister got a chance to live with the other's family and learn about their traditions. I like that the girls started to realize how special their own traditions are as they missed out on them. The ending was wonderful and the talent show song made me tear up.

Gabi Epstein and Rebecca Soler did a good job narrating and filling this story with the emotions needed to convey what the girls were going through.

Let it Glow was a lovely children's book with the fun of a parent trap switch, and the cultural importance of the characters not only working through their own cultural identities but also supporting each other in their cultures by learning about each other's lives and traditions.

If you know me, you know that Marissa Meyer is one of my favorite authors AND you know I love me a holiday story. So color me shocked when I found out that she was co-authoring one. I had no idea this was coming, but once I did, I kept thinking about it. I knew it was going to be a favorite.

And sure enough, this holiday themed Parent Trap has turned into one of my faves of this year. This book had me stressed! I guess because I’m like their mom’s age, but I was on pins and needles worried about these kids going to other people’s houses lol I know my anxiety is bad, but I didn’t realize how bad until I read this. I just knew one of them was going to hurt themselves before they went back to their real families lol

Ok so the characters were pretty cool. I LOVED Aviva and Holly! Even tho they were identical twins, they were both still very different. And I think I loved that the most. As someone who has three sisters, I can confirm this is how sisters are. As for everyone else, like the grandparents and the parents. I enjoyed reading about them and seeing the impact that they had on both girls. Especially the grandparents. They were all so sweet.

I also enjoyed the things we learn about each holiday and in such a fun way. I love that Holly learned the prayer in Hebrew through Youtube. And I love that Aviva wasn’t going to let them forget Hanukkah in any way. And I loved that she got to cut down a tree and how she felt so sad about people not actually going caroling lmao I loved seeing them learn new things about their family.

The whole thing was amazing. I thought it was so cute! And the very ending was so cute, I cried a little when they sung. Ugh it was amazing. I know it still might seem too early for holiday reads, but even if you don’t read it now, I hope you DO read it. It was so good, and of course, we could all use some happy that this could bring right now.

I absolutely loved this one. The audio narration was great, and the story was a unique spin on a classic.

I liked that this one had both Christmas and Hanukkah to really show the good parts of each. I think that some people take their holidays for granted so it was nice to see Christmas through the eyes of someone who doesn't celebrate it, and at the same time it was great to learn more about Hannukah and see how people spend this time with their family during this festive time. The more we know about others the more tolerate we can be! I was a bit anxious when the girls were trying to pass and kept wishing they would let their families know sooner, but the big reveal I guess was worth it.

Marissa Meyer has been an auto-read author for me for some time and I don’t think I will ever get tired of reading her books. This was a perfect middle grade/ya holiday story.

My first holiday book (that's not a children's book) of the year. Joanne Levy is one of my go to authors for Jewish books, plus this is a spin on The Parent Trap, so of course I had to read it. This was fun and cute and cheesy and very fitting for the time of year it is set. I am by no means an expert, but it felt like it could have been the plot of a Hallmark Christmas movie, if those movies featured twelve year olds. But it is the same kind of suspension of disbelief you need for those stories.

Aviva was very relatable to me, even as an adult. Christmas /does/ take over everything during the winter. I was also very amused because Aviva didn't know there were different kinds of Christmas trees, and I also didn't know that until earlier this year.

Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

This was a charming, feel good middle grade holiday story that sees two adopted identical tweens meeting at an old age care home and signing up for the only Jewish holiday performance. Full of a great cast of diverse characters and lots of Parent trap esque family swap vibes, this was an enjoyable story about found family, Jewish heritage, identity and traditions that was also good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Not your all-American girl by Madelyn Rosenberg and authors like AJ Sass. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

In this story about the chance reunion of twins separated at birth, each girl has her own talents and interests. Aviva (the Jewish twin) is an outgoing performer who lives with her grandmother (Bubbe), mom, dad, and two brothers. Holly (the Christian twin) likes dragons, is well-known at the library, and writes. She lives with her grandfather (Gramps, who is a celebrated writer), mom, and cat. The girls meet at a senior living center where Bubbe resides (and at which Aviva is volunteering) and to which Gramps is considering moving (not entirely voluntarily).

Readers learn about the winter religious holidays along with the twins. The story features adoptive and biracial families, and is full of love and acceptance, as well as preteen mischief.

I enjoyed both narrators—Gabi Epstein and Rebecca Soler—who accomplished voices across genders, ages, and ethnicities.

4.5⭐

I received a copy of this audiobook from netGalley for a honest review.

I love Marissa Meyer and was so excited to hear she was going to have a holiday/twins swap book. I wasn't disappointed! This book has all the holiday -Christmas and Hannukah- vibes and wonderful characters. I was touched by how well the authors handled the different religions and the different adoption situations. An all around feel good story!

Let it Glow puts a fantastic dreidel spin on the "Parent Trap" trope where long lost twins discover each other and switch places. Both girls know that they are adopted, but are shocked to learn that they have a twin. As someone raised Jewish who always had both a menorah and a Christmas tree, I love the recent diversity trend in children's literature that highlights interfaith families celebrating both cultures. Let it Glow comes close. When Holly and Aviva meet and switch places, they get know each other's family and learn about each other's culture. Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy have teamed up to tell this cute story. I have enjoyed several books by Levy, but I am now a Marissa Meyer fan as well. They have created several well rounded believable characters. I love the fact that the twins may look alike, but they are exact opposites otherwise. The grandparents are portrayed as people who may face physical issues that come with aging, but still enjoy an active life. The other family members are all well thought out and the authors each wrote the chapters taking place in one home. Levy's descriptions of Hanukkah celebrations are spot on and made me hungry for latkes. Mayer's descriptions of a selecting and putting up a tree made me smile with recognition. Levy has woven in a few diversity issues that may hit home with some Jewish kids. She created a larger than life musical theatre nerd who questions if she is "Jewish enough" to perform in a Hanukkah number in a holiday program. Many kids raised in a relatively unobservant family who identify with their Jewish culture but don't go to synagogue on a regular basis face similar issues. Also Aviva's father and brothers are black, so most kids don't realize that her brothers are Jewish. With the duel narrators, and two holidays, this book is bound to appeal to kids from any background.

I alternated between the eBook and the audiobook for this novel. Narrators Gabbi Epstein and Rebecca Soler both did a fantastic job of giving different distinctive voices for the different characters. They played the twins with such feeling that I didn't want to stop listening. I will definitely be looking for more books read by these talented actresses. If you prefer audiobooks, or enjoy alternating formats to fit your schedule, this book is a great choice.

Because I love books by Joanne Levy, I was thrilled to get downloadable review copies of this book from the publisher. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own. I enjoyed this book just as much as Levy's other books, and I will be adding her coauthor Marissa Meyer to my must read list. I can honestly recommend this any kid in search for a holiday story. What kid doesn't occasionally wish for a twin?

The premise of this book sounded so cute with Christmas and parent-trap vibes! I enjoyed the narrator for Aviva but not Holly and it took me out of the story. I tried to push through but I just couldn't connect with it. I do think many people will love and enjoy this story for the Christmas season, it just didn't work for me personally.

Twelve-year-olds Aviva and Holly have a chance meeting at the local senior center, and other than the fact that they look identical and have been adopted (by different families), not much else is the same between them. Aviva is loud and outspoken, and dreams of being on the stage as an actress. Holly is a quiet writer, who is much happier behind the scenes than in the spotlight. Aviva’s family is Jewish and takes part in the Hanukkah traditions, while Holly’s family celebrates Christmas. When they realize that they are twin sisters, they decide to swap places. As one can imagine, comedic situations abound in this “Parent Trap”-like scenario. This is the perfect middle grade read for the holidays.

Let it Glow, by Marissa Meye and Joanne Levy was a great holiday story on so many levels. Not just a great holiday story, but a great story period. We are introduced to Holly and Aviva, twelve year olds who happen to meet when they both attend an organizational meeting for a holiday pageant. Both girls are shocked to see another person with her face. They soon figure they are twins, seperated at birth and given to two different adoptive families. Holly and Aviva are overjoyed to have a sister. Each girl is anxious to get to know the other and curious about the other's family and the holiday they will celebrate - Christmas or Hanukkah. The girls decide to swap places for a short time, without telling anyone else. This leads them to discoveries about themselves, each other, their culture and the meaning of family. There is humor and heart here. The tone remains light even while exploring some emotional subjects. The story is told, in alternating chapters, by Holly and Aviva. The characters were narrated by Gabi Epstein and Rebecca Soler in the audiobook. Both narrators were good and used distinctive voices for the other characters, but I found that if I got distracted, I could lose track of whether Aviva or Holly was narrating. All things considered, I think Let It Glow has the potential to become a holiday classic and one that families may enjoy reading together.

Well that was a super cute book perfect for fans of the parent trap and interfaith middle school kids. The writing was spot on and they did sound like preteen girls. a must for the holiday season

An absolutely delightful middle grade featuring Aviva and Holly- identical twins separated at birth- who discover each other and that while they can't know for sure, everything seems like it points to the fact that they were separated at birth. Then the hijinks ensues when the girls decide to swap places to celebrate the other's holiday celebrations-- Christmas versus Hannukah. Really the only one who suspects anything right away is the cat.

It's lively and seasonal. Both girls have an exceptional voice throughout the story that delves into our relationship with culture and religion during the holidays while the girls are just so darn tickled that they have found one another as the holiday celebration in which they'll perform (one of them reluctantly) comes closer.

Simply the best.

Let It Glow weaves such a heartwarming and beautiful tale. Aviva and Holly are two strangers trying to find their place during the holidays. They meet and are shocked to find out they are identical! Since they were both adopted, they must be twins! One celebrates Christmas, and one celebrates Hanukah. Can switching families help them understand the other’s holiday better? This book was so amazing! I simply loved it! The characters are great and the plot so sweet. You really feel for the them and understand their emotions. I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in trade for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.