Simple and sweet story about twins separated at birth who discover their parents' secret. Yes, it's the source of The Parent Trap, but is much more gentle and less raucous than the Disney movie. ( )

I just re-read this in like one hour and it's as good as I remembered. ( )

Match found in the German National Library.

Loved it! ( )

I loved this book absolutely to pieces when I was a child and I have also watched and greatly enjoyed the German film version multiple times (the one from the 1950s that had the author, Erich Kästner, write the screen play). It is much more authentic than The Parent Trap (which took some rather huge and for me, unforgivable liberties with the plot). Kästner has definitely managed to realistically portray the many problems faced by children of divorced parents, as well as the irresponsible behaviours that are at times exhibited by parents (separating very young twin siblings, and then not even telling them that they have siblings is NEVER an acceptable option, children are not objects). The novel takes children, their hopes, dreams and desires seriously and is also a reminder to adults (to parents) that children must not be ignored, that they deserve to know the truth, and that irresponsible adult behaviours can have problematic, difficult, even potentially dangerous consequences. ( )