Are We Twins? - Purdy Franklin Mysteries - Author Jill Ammon Vanderwood

Are We Twins? – Purdy Franklin Mysteries

What would you do if a new girl at school looked so much like your friend that she could be her twin?

From Jill Ammon Vanderwood, author of the award-winning The Unkindness Club: Purdy Franklin Mysteries #1, comes the second book in the series: Are We Twins?, featuring American Sign Language (ASL) in every chapter.

Purdy Franklin was a normal deaf girl until her tenth birthday, when she began turning into a deaf cat each night. She and her best friend, Rowen Carter, who uses a wheelchair, are out to solve a new mystery—Are We Twins?

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Book Cover for Are We Twins? - Purdy Franklin Mysteries

Introduction to Are We Twins?

As a cute little cat, Purdy can charm her way into unsuspecting homes and get close enough to read the lips of those she’s investigating.

Illustration of two look-alike girls with long hair facing each other in front of school lockers

When Purdy and Rowen meet up with a friend on their way to school, they discover she is not the girl they thought she was, but a new girl who just moved from California. May looks so much like their friend Liz that she could be her twin.

Their friend asks Purdy and Rowen to help solve the mystery.

How can two girls who have never met before look so much alike?
Are the girls really twins who were separated at birth?
Was one of them adopted?
Do they have the same father?

As a deaf cat, Purdy experiences danger and obstacles of her own as she sets out to solve the mystery of Are We Twins? Purdy Franklin Mysteries #2.

Illustration of Purdy peeking out from behind a slatted closet door

Illustration of a woman and a bearded man looking at a computer screen while holding a black-and-white cat

Learn Some Sign Language

Purdy is deaf and uses American Sign Language (ASL). Are We Twins? features ASL in every chapter, so you can learn to sign along with Purdy.

Illustration of Purdy making the ASL sign for twins at her chin — The ASL sign for TWINS

Illustration of Purdy making the ASL sign for alone, with one raised index finger — The ASL sign for ALONE

Meet the Illustrator

Frankie Grant, a deaf illustrator, making the I love you sign in ASL — Frankie Grant: Deaf Illustrator

Are We Twins? is illustrated by Frankie Grant, a deaf artist, from Frankie’s Timeless Art.

Color illustration of Purdy smiling and making the ASL sign for I love you — Purdy signs I LOVE YOU

Book Reviews for Are We Twins? Purdy Franklin Mysteries

Are We Twins? by Jill Ammon Vanderwood is a fun and creative book for children. Following on from the first installment, Persephone, aka Purdy, and her friends find themselves with yet another mind-boggling investigation. A new girl at school resembles one of their friends a lot, which sparks intrigue as to whether the two are related, or even twins. With Persephone’s cool trick of turning into a cat at night, she and the gang come together to find out the truth and help their friends. With turns and twists along the way, will Persephone and her friends finally uncover the mystery behind it all? Or will they hit a brick wall with their investigations? Find out in this book.

Are We Twins? Purdy Franklin Mysteries #2 is a thrilling, keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of book. From the moment I began reading, I was sucked into the storyline. Although I haven’t read the first installment, Jill Ammon Vanderwood made it easy for me as a new reader to pick up where she left off. You’re dropped right into the plot, and you instantly feel as if you already know the characters; the prologue also helped a lot. Children will love this highly entertaining book without a doubt; every page is engaging and attention-grabbing, and there are also brilliantly created illustrations by the incredible Frankie Grant. So, pick up a copy, sit back, relax, and dive deep into the Purdy Franklin universe. You’re in for a treat.
Amy Louise Hill for Readers’ Favorite

Author Q&A

When you began writing The Unkindness Club, did you think you were beginning a mystery series?

Yes, I already had the mystery Are We Twins? in mind when I wrote The Unkindness Club, and the first draft was already completed.

Have you ever published two books in one year before?

No. I have been a published author for twenty years, and this is the first time I’ve had two books published only a few months apart.

What made you decide to publish two books together at this point in your career?

I am writing for a middle grade audience, and there is only a short time when kids will be reading at that level. So I wanted to finish the books and make them available so kids could move from one to the next while the first mystery was still fresh in their minds.

I noticed the cover of Are We Twins? Does this book have a Halloween theme?

The story, Are We Twins?, takes place in the fall, around Halloween; however, the time of year doesn’t affect the mystery. In my experience, kids love Halloween, and they may start talking about their costumes long before the actual event.

My granddaughter, who has a birthday in July, decided to have a Halloween birthday party. Even though the party was being held at my house, she told me I couldn’t come without a costume.

Your last series, The Path You Choose, was written for a YA audience. Why are you now writing for middle grade readers?

My very first series, Through the Rug, is a three-book series, written for a middle grade audience. So, I’m basically going back to my roots and beginning a new series for the same age level.

What comes next for you, now that you have published two books in the Purdy Franklin Mysteries series?

Purdy Franklin Mysteries #3, of course. I’ve already started this book, so I plan to publish the next one in the fall of 2027.

Is there anything else you are working on?

In the meantime, I’m working on a nonfiction adult book and experimenting with the idea of a prequel to the Purdy Franklin series, featuring Purdy and Rowen when they were younger.