Identical twins they may be but Alec and Walker Holland couldn’t be more different if they tried. Walker is a party boy, making friends and having fun wherever he goes. Alec is introverted and thoughtful, preferring the company of plants than people.

When betrayed by someone close, they leave town for the summer to stay with their aunt and cousins who live in a small rural town. Walker takes his personality and Alec boxes up the science experiments he has been working on for over a year. He believes memories can be transferred from plant to plant.

Walker is in his element with his cousins, easily fitting in at parties and small town life. All Alec wants is a lab to continue his work on. A like minded local called Abby is the only one who seems to understand his fascination with plants and his obsession with his experiments. She too has an all-encompassing project to do with an ancient tree.

Sharing their findings on their obsessions brings them closer. At yet another party where they both shun the people and noise, Abby tries to prevent a devastating loss. What follows is a break down between the twins, a violent assault and a decision for one to leave life as they know it behind.

The cover of Swamp Thing: Twin Branches has always drawn me to it. I wasn’t disappointed. A tale of brothers, Science, differences and botany, this graphic novel (by the author of the The Raven Cycle Series) captures the twin’s polar opposite personalities perfectly.

Part family tale, and part mutant takeover, Swamp Thing: Twin Branches is interspersed with interesting facts about plant communication, intelligence and even personalities. Plants too can shun others, preferring to be alone. I especially enjoyed the result of Abby and Alec’s research, uncovering old and new ‘memories.’

Author – Maggie Stiefvater

Illustrator – Morgan Beem

Age – 13+

(Penguin Random, 2020, Graphic Novel, Plants, Botany, Science, Experiments, History, Memories, Plant Intelligence, Brothers, Twins, Family, Parties, Fitting in, Differences, Introvert, Extrovert, Betrayal, Dogs, Animals, Fantasy, Growing up)