The Do-Over

The Do-Over

From the author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen comes this story about sisterhood, friendship, and the intricacies of blended families. The Mendoza sisters need a do-over! Raquel and Lucinda used to be inseparable. But ever since their parents split, Raquel has been acting like editor-in-chief of their lives. To avoid her overbearing sister, Lucinda spends most of her time with her headphones on, practicing her skating routine. Then a pandemic hits, and the sisters are forced to spend the lockdown at their dad’s ranch house. Suddenly Raquel sees a chance to get back everything they’ve lost. If they can convince their mom to come along, maybe they can get their parents to fall in love again and give their family a second chance, a do-over. But at the ranch, they get a not-so-welcome surprise: their dad’s new girlfriend and her daughter are already living there! Lucinda finds she actually likes them, which only makes Raquel more desperate to get rid of them. And as her Raquel’s schemes get more and more out of hand, Lucinda starts to wonder what they are really fighting for. Is trying to bring the Mendoza family back together really just tearing them further apart? Gr 3–7—Twins Lucinda and Raquel Mendoza haven't been close since their parents' divorce. Raquel has a tendency to organize and dictate their lives. To cope, Lucinda has committed herself to ice-skating. When a pandemic forces them to quarantine, Raquel remains busy with her school newspaper, but Lucinda is sidelined and anxious about keeping up her training. When the girls' mother decides to send them to their father's ranch to continue quarantining, Raquel convinces their mother to join them at the ranch, hoping that the experience will rekindle the parents' relationship. Unfortunately, the twins discover that their father has moved his new girlfriend and her daughter into the ranch as well. Raquel is undeterred, but Lucinda is not on board, and becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her twin's schemes. This gentle remix of The Parent Trap with a pandemic twist is entertaining. While the pandemic realities of toilet paper hoarding, virtual schooling, and staying sane in close proximity are depicted, they are not the focus. The portrayal of the fraying sibling bond is sympathetic and realistic, as is the challenge of blending families. The adults are involved, supportive, and committed to maintaining family ties. There's humor, drama, and some bad decisions that will keep tween readers engaged. VERDICT A timely, pleasing addition to the realistic middle grade fiction shelf.—Brenda Kahn Jennifer Torres is the award-winning author of The Do-Over, The Win Over, Stef Soto, Taco Queen, and many other books for young readers. She writes stories about home, friendship, and unexpected courage inspired by her Mexican American heritage. Jennifer started her career as a newspaper reporter, and even though she writes fiction now, she hopes her stories still have some truth in them. She lives with her family in Southern California.