The Girls of Skylark Lane
Written by Robin Benway
HarperCollins Children’s Books
Ages 8-12
Available October 1, 2024

Twelve-year-old twins Aggie and Jac have always understood each other. But when they move to Los Angeles and start a new school, their differences drive them apart. Aggie lives in anxiety about all the changes in her life—friends, school, and distance between her and Jac—while Jac focuses on her need to be an individual. To Jac’s dismay, the twins end up in the same gym class, where they surprise everyone with their softball skills. They quickly discover a group of classmates with a neighborhood softball team that practices after school, and Aggie and Jac suddenly jump from the new kids to the new teammates. Made up of enthusiastically chatty Tink, her equally chaotic younger sister Josephine, piano-player Marnie, an influencer’s daughter Dylan, and the quiet and self-assured Taylor, this “ragamuffin crew” warmly welcome Aggie and Jac into their circle (p 112). Over time, these softballers learn to be vulnerable with one another, giving Aggie and Jac permission to be themselves and still love each other.

This middle grade novel has a fun, lighthearted tone while also tackling deep themes of fitting in, change, and growing up. Benway alternates between the perspectives of the two equally central characters, Aggie and Jac, so readers have the option to relate to one, both, or root for their reconciliation. Although the plot centers around the ragtag group of softball teammates, Benway only includes a few scenes of softball practices. Instead, the action in the novel lies more within the interpersonal relationships: disagreements, sharing vulnerabilities, and moments where friends support one another. Furthermore, Benway includes a strong, positive queer representation—Aggie and Jac have supportive dads, and their teammate Taylor comes out as trans. Under the guise of a sports drama, this heartwarming coming of age novel will get readers thinking about what it means to be family.