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The Switch
When Tad Spencer's father denies him a trip to a theme park, Tad wishes he were someone else. The next day, his wish comes true.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
48 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Horowitz
345 books20.9k followersAnthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
October 13, 2024
A novel about losing identity. Wealthy, flabby, 13-year-old Tad has an argument with his bullying father over visiting a theme park with his best friend. Father is adamant, theme parks are vulgar, and mother agrees. Tad slouches off to his room in a huff and falls into the trap of that old adage: Have a care what you wish for, because it might come true. Tad wishes he could be an ordinary kid, falls asleep and, what do you know? He wakes up in a dingy caravan, parked in a fun fair, as scruffy, unwashed, 13-year-old Bob. What on earth has happened and how can it be reversed? His new parents are no help at all being five-star slobs the pair of them, and their "friend" Finn gets a nasty thrill from scaring people.
The early chapters, after the switch, reminded me strongly of Oliver Twist and then David Copperfield, while the ending was in debt to Orson Welles and The Lady from Shanghai. Tad, now Bob, has effectively been orphaned, as his new family are more like Mr. and Mrs. Fagin than anything resembling parents. They loan him out to Finn and like Bill Sikes he uses the boy to help break into someone's house. The crime goes wrong and Tad flees into the night, only to be picked up after he tries to speak to the old Bob, the new Tad. He is captured and carried off to his father's evil cosmetics plant - not unlike David Copperfield being taken to his nasty step-father's wine bottling factory. After that Dickens fades away and an action adventure kicks in as Tad, now aware how corrupt his father is, tries to win his freedom. He falls in with Finn again and, after many twists and turns, ends up in a Great Yarmouth fun fair Hall of Mirrors arcade with people shooting at him - that is where Orson Welles steps in.
As might be expected, the cause of the switch is far-fetched and even the author gives up on trying to explain how it is reversed. "Tad didn't know how he had switched places again - whether it was the storm or the shock of the bullet that had hit him." Anyway, to bring a very moral story to a conclusion, and proving that crime and wrong-doing do not pay, Tad's parents are locked up, Tad has decided to get fit and loose weight, and as for Bob - that is not too certain. He is working class after all so don't expect too much. While Tad wants to be his friend, it's not absolutely clear if any money or influence will change hands. But you never know, Bob might make a wish.
The early chapters, after the switch, reminded me strongly of Oliver Twist and then David Copperfield, while the ending was in debt to Orson Welles and The Lady from Shanghai. Tad, now Bob, has effectively been orphaned, as his new family are more like Mr. and Mrs. Fagin than anything resembling parents. They loan him out to Finn and like Bill Sikes he uses the boy to help break into someone's house. The crime goes wrong and Tad flees into the night, only to be picked up after he tries to speak to the old Bob, the new Tad. He is captured and carried off to his father's evil cosmetics plant - not unlike David Copperfield being taken to his nasty step-father's wine bottling factory. After that Dickens fades away and an action adventure kicks in as Tad, now aware how corrupt his father is, tries to win his freedom. He falls in with Finn again and, after many twists and turns, ends up in a Great Yarmouth fun fair Hall of Mirrors arcade with people shooting at him - that is where Orson Welles steps in.
As might be expected, the cause of the switch is far-fetched and even the author gives up on trying to explain how it is reversed. "Tad didn't know how he had switched places again - whether it was the storm or the shock of the bullet that had hit him." Anyway, to bring a very moral story to a conclusion, and proving that crime and wrong-doing do not pay, Tad's parents are locked up, Tad has decided to get fit and loose weight, and as for Bob - that is not too certain. He is working class after all so don't expect too much. While Tad wants to be his friend, it's not absolutely clear if any money or influence will change hands. But you never know, Bob might make a wish.
May 1, 2012
Kind of a neat twist on the Prince and the Pauper story.
When spoiled rich kid, Tad Spencer, thoughtlessly wishes that he was someone else he learns the hard way that money isn't everything. Going to bed as wealthy Tad and waking up as the poor and criminally inclined Bob is a shock to him but he does a better job of blending in than Bob does as Tad. Tad's elite parents expect him to know Latin and Greek and to have actual table manners.
I love body switching stories and this was good one. Body switching stories allow you really think about Other people and lets use explore whether it's personality or circumstances that define us. But as Tad learns sometimes if you find yourself wishing to be someone else maybe it's because there really is something wrong with your life.
When spoiled rich kid, Tad Spencer, thoughtlessly wishes that he was someone else he learns the hard way that money isn't everything. Going to bed as wealthy Tad and waking up as the poor and criminally inclined Bob is a shock to him but he does a better job of blending in than Bob does as Tad. Tad's elite parents expect him to know Latin and Greek and to have actual table manners.
I love body switching stories and this was good one. Body switching stories allow you really think about Other people and lets use explore whether it's personality or circumstances that define us. But as Tad learns sometimes if you find yourself wishing to be someone else maybe it's because there really is something wrong with your life.
September 22, 2019
Tad is a spoiled rich kid, living in a massive mansion, with servants at his beck and call. Bob is a poor kid, living in a dirty caravan, working in a carnival, and surviving on the streets with thieves and pickpockets. When the two switch places in a magical swap, Tad must learn to survive on the streets, and Bob discovers that being rich isn't always as good as it sounds.
This story was so much more than I thought it was going to be! I thought it would be your regular "Freaky Friday" body-swap thing with the pathetic rich kid having to learn how to live without his precious wealth. But wow! I was completely surprised at the turn the plot took, and the intricacies of the story. Even the smallest details took on a major significance as the truth behind Tad's wealthy family is exposed.
I also loved Tad's character development as he sees the world in a whole new way. He is truly changed from the inside out, and I was delighted with the complexity of his personality.
The writing is really vivid and pulled me into the story right away. I liked how quickly the action moved, and how the writing kept me in suspense, eager to read more.
One thing confused me... the story is set in 1980s London, but the characters talk about "dollars", "cents", and "bucks". However, at other times they use distinctly British words like "Mummy" and "fish and chips". Why would British characters refer to money as dollars? Was there ever a time when Britain used a dollar-based currency? That can't be right! And using the word "bucks" to refer to money is completely American. I don't know of any other country that says "bucks".
I can only conclude that the publishers changed the text when it was published in the United States, assuming that American children are too stupid to know what pounds and shillings are, but smart enough to know what fish and chips are. [Insert eye roll here.] I hate that kind of thing! Just give me the normal text of the book, and stop trying to adapt it to a different culture with different slang. How are people ever going to learn about other cultures and other currencies if publishers change the text all the time?
This story was so much more than I thought it was going to be! I thought it would be your regular "Freaky Friday" body-swap thing with the pathetic rich kid having to learn how to live without his precious wealth. But wow! I was completely surprised at the turn the plot took, and the intricacies of the story. Even the smallest details took on a major significance as the truth behind Tad's wealthy family is exposed.
I also loved Tad's character development as he sees the world in a whole new way. He is truly changed from the inside out, and I was delighted with the complexity of his personality.
The writing is really vivid and pulled me into the story right away. I liked how quickly the action moved, and how the writing kept me in suspense, eager to read more.
One thing confused me... the story is set in 1980s London, but the characters talk about "dollars", "cents", and "bucks". However, at other times they use distinctly British words like "Mummy" and "fish and chips". Why would British characters refer to money as dollars? Was there ever a time when Britain used a dollar-based currency? That can't be right! And using the word "bucks" to refer to money is completely American. I don't know of any other country that says "bucks".
I can only conclude that the publishers changed the text when it was published in the United States, assuming that American children are too stupid to know what pounds and shillings are, but smart enough to know what fish and chips are. [Insert eye roll here.] I hate that kind of thing! Just give me the normal text of the book, and stop trying to adapt it to a different culture with different slang. How are people ever going to learn about other cultures and other currencies if publishers change the text all the time?
March 1, 2017
اینو من بعد گروشام گرینچ خوندم! کلاس پنجم دبستان!
June 9, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Tad and Bob swapping bodies and lives in a freak shooting star wish to be someone else.
August 2, 2023
The Switch by Anthony Horowitz is one of the most fastest splendid Thriller book i've ever read!
March 19, 2020
This book entertained me today. I was sucked through the whole switch that happened to the main character. It's really is fortunate that he was able to learn more things about himself and the world in the process. I like how it ended and I will remember the main character's dad's company. 😅
Not bad, not bad indeed.
Not bad, not bad indeed.
November 13, 2024
I don understand the low ratings for this one. I had soooo much fun reading this! I looooved Tad and Bob and there was something interesting about all the other characters as well!
I enjoyed the plot twists and it didn’t completely read like a middle grade book. I loved it in and out!
I enjoyed the plot twists and it didn’t completely read like a middle grade book. I loved it in and out!
March 13, 2017
it's a good book. It teaches you not to be greedy and to be happy with what you have.
July 17, 2021
خب تموم کردم این اثر رو و خب دروغ چرا خیلی دوسش دارم:)))
داستانی که داشت شخصیت هاش برام عزیز شدن:) و خب درسته ی سری اتفاقات ناخوشایند می افتند که بعدش میپرسیم "خب چرا من؟" و بعدتر جواب سوالمونو پیدا میکنیم...اینم همین بود...امیدوارم جواب های ما هم به زودی پیدا بشن.
داستانی که داشت شخصیت هاش برام عزیز شدن:) و خب درسته ی سری اتفاقات ناخوشایند می افتند که بعدش میپرسیم "خب چرا من؟" و بعدتر جواب سوالمونو پیدا میکنیم...اینم همین بود...امیدوارم جواب های ما هم به زودی پیدا بشن.
April 26, 2013
I'd really not got on with the Anthony Horowitz books I'd read up until this one, but because he seems to be one of the few authors my 8-year-old son will let me read to him, I've had to persist - and whatever I may think of Horowitz, I have to give him credit for helping prevent my son being completely turned off reading!
In any case, I rather enjoyed this one. It's a body-swap story, which Horowitz firmly acknowledges is not an original idea, but he does do something different with it. Tad is the spoilt son of a millionaire business man who owns an 'ethical' cosmetics company. One night he wishes he was an ordinary boy, and wakes up to find he has swapped bodies and lives with Bob Snarby, who lives in a caravan on a funfair. His slobby, violent parents run a tombola stall that never seems to have any winning tickets.
However through his new persona he finds out information about his real parents that makes a bit of fairground scamming seem small fry indeed, and Tad begins to wonder if he ever wants to return to his former life.
The story is exciting and unpredictable, the writing style less irritating than when he's trying to be Ian Fleming, and having now experienced Horowitz trying to be funny (in South by South East) I appreciate him going easy on the jokes this time.
In any case, I rather enjoyed this one. It's a body-swap story, which Horowitz firmly acknowledges is not an original idea, but he does do something different with it. Tad is the spoilt son of a millionaire business man who owns an 'ethical' cosmetics company. One night he wishes he was an ordinary boy, and wakes up to find he has swapped bodies and lives with Bob Snarby, who lives in a caravan on a funfair. His slobby, violent parents run a tombola stall that never seems to have any winning tickets.
However through his new persona he finds out information about his real parents that makes a bit of fairground scamming seem small fry indeed, and Tad begins to wonder if he ever wants to return to his former life.
The story is exciting and unpredictable, the writing style less irritating than when he's trying to be Ian Fleming, and having now experienced Horowitz trying to be funny (in South by South East) I appreciate him going easy on the jokes this time.
October 2, 2009
Rich, spoiled, yet ever-so-sickenly-polite, Thomas Arnold David Spencer, Tad for short, realizes a little too late that is dangerous to wish for something that you may not really want. When he wishes to be somebody else, he switches places with Bob Snarby, a dirty, poor, street urchin with monsterous parents and a life full of criminal activity and dangerous plots. In The Switch, Tad and Bob scramble to acclimate themselves into their new lives, and as a result find out a lot about themselves and the people who surround them. When Tad starts to become accustomed to his new body and finds out what his parents are really like, he decides he likes being Bob almost better than being Tad. In the end, he exposes his parents for what they really are, and Tad and Bob are linked in a way that they would never have dreamed possible.
September 29, 2013
An interesting look at the things we value and how life may not always be as it seems. Short and well written, although I think there are quite a few Brit-centric references that may puzzle Aussie kids.
March 3, 2009
An odd "The Prince and the Pauper". Just when you think you know what will happen you are thrown a curve.
May 28, 2009
A cute story and fun, easy read. Anthony Horowitz has yet to disappoint me. Even his shorter stories are worth reading.
February 16, 2010
Read this in year 7 or 8 I think. I remember it being a strange, slightly scary book. Thoroughly enjoyable though.
May 23, 2011
should be the first thing to choose from the shelf.... for beginners
September 27, 2018
Since I had just read 'The Magpie Murders' a few weeks back and had fond memories of the author as a result, I decided to give this children's or rather Young adult fiction book a try.
The simplest explanation of the plot would be to call it a retelling of the Prince and the Pauper plot. Only instead of physically exchanging places with each other the characters manage to perform a bit of Freaky Friday magic on themselves and teleport their souls into each other's bodies. A simple enough plot that is complicated by the intelligence of one of the boys participating (unwittingly) in the exchange. What follows the Switch is a series of plots that thrust both boys into hitherto unknown territory, which they manage to navigate relatively unscathed, at east mentally.
It was an uncomplicated bit of quick reading and was incredibly sad too. The preface that suggested that the author took the inspiration for the parents in this book from his own real life shook me up a little. Also, I wondered whether that was a bit too much personal information to share with young kids. This piece of information colored the book melancholy for me right from the start. The parents are painted as heartless and cruel to a degree that belies belief, but cannot be said to be completely untrue or impossible an occurrence in the real world. I read a review that calls this book hilarious and was a bit taken aback at the prospect that I may have completely missed the plot, but I realize that being a grown up and a mother certainly gives me a different perspective than a 20 year old guy on the events.
It is a good book all in all. May require a few hugs from parents and kids at the end, depending on who is reading it, but no major harm done.
The simplest explanation of the plot would be to call it a retelling of the Prince and the Pauper plot. Only instead of physically exchanging places with each other the characters manage to perform a bit of Freaky Friday magic on themselves and teleport their souls into each other's bodies. A simple enough plot that is complicated by the intelligence of one of the boys participating (unwittingly) in the exchange. What follows the Switch is a series of plots that thrust both boys into hitherto unknown territory, which they manage to navigate relatively unscathed, at east mentally.
It was an uncomplicated bit of quick reading and was incredibly sad too. The preface that suggested that the author took the inspiration for the parents in this book from his own real life shook me up a little. Also, I wondered whether that was a bit too much personal information to share with young kids. This piece of information colored the book melancholy for me right from the start. The parents are painted as heartless and cruel to a degree that belies belief, but cannot be said to be completely untrue or impossible an occurrence in the real world. I read a review that calls this book hilarious and was a bit taken aback at the prospect that I may have completely missed the plot, but I realize that being a grown up and a mother certainly gives me a different perspective than a 20 year old guy on the events.
It is a good book all in all. May require a few hugs from parents and kids at the end, depending on who is reading it, but no major harm done.
April 24, 2018
In 'The Switch', Tad Spencer is a spoiled brat who leads a life of luxury thanks to his father's highly successful beauty business. Instead of appreciating everything he has, he is constantly unsatisfied. One night, he goes to bed angry because his parents refused his request to go to a theme park. He wishes to be someone else, only to wake up as a completely different person..
This overused premise was well-executed by the author as it was filled with many unpredictable happenings, insights into how the other half lives and thought-provoking revelations about one's self and other people. Tad quickly realized that being someone else - Bob Snarby was a nightmare. Hailing from a poor background, Bob had no one to turn to and had a history of petty criminal offences. On top of that, he was known for being rude to everyone.
Even though Tad started off unlikeable, he changed for the better as he spent more time in Bob's shoes (literally). The character development was well done in the sense that it was believable and gradual. In the meantime, the way their lives eventually intersected once more was interesting. Several other characters were mildly fleshed out so no one was really wholly "good" or "bad". The ending wasn't exactly expected but it was fitting for the story.
Overall, 'The Switch' didn't fall into the trap of solely focusing on the main character. Instead, it delved into the motives and personalities of minor characters. As a result, it was a light and enjoyable read that also delivered some important lessons without coming across as heavy-handed.
This overused premise was well-executed by the author as it was filled with many unpredictable happenings, insights into how the other half lives and thought-provoking revelations about one's self and other people. Tad quickly realized that being someone else - Bob Snarby was a nightmare. Hailing from a poor background, Bob had no one to turn to and had a history of petty criminal offences. On top of that, he was known for being rude to everyone.
Even though Tad started off unlikeable, he changed for the better as he spent more time in Bob's shoes (literally). The character development was well done in the sense that it was believable and gradual. In the meantime, the way their lives eventually intersected once more was interesting. Several other characters were mildly fleshed out so no one was really wholly "good" or "bad". The ending wasn't exactly expected but it was fitting for the story.
Overall, 'The Switch' didn't fall into the trap of solely focusing on the main character. Instead, it delved into the motives and personalities of minor characters. As a result, it was a light and enjoyable read that also delivered some important lessons without coming across as heavy-handed.
October 9, 2018
What would you do if you had no money, nowhere to stay and no one to look after you? In the book, the switch, there are 2 boys named Bob and Tad. Tad is a very rich kid that everyday is Christmas. Bob is very poor and lives in a caravan with his abusive parents Eric and Doll. And one day, they switch body. After a few days of tourcher, Tad leaves his new life with no money or anything. he wants to try and find his old body to try and switch back, and he does. he found bob Snarby and had a long talk about what they thought happened. Tad told him he wanted to try and find a way to switch back but Bob says that he has never been better and kicks him out and sends him to the ACID. His dad runs it and the company tests samples of things to test them. it says "not tested on animals." but it was tested on kids. And Bob finds out he is one of those kids. Can he make it out. if he can, will still want his old life back if seeing what his dad has done. or will he die knowing how bad of a man he is. read the book to find out.
December 1, 2023
Anthony Horowitz writes a sharp and clever story. This is the first time I've read a book of his that's intended for a younger audience. It's quick -moving and rattles along at a furious pace, and the characters are overstated, drawn in bright bold lines. But there's a pretty dark subtext, that doesn't take long to come to the surface. In fact, if you look, there's a dark horribleness at the heart of the story that made me think of Roald Dahl or Charles Dickens. Both of these writers show you things about the world that are unpalatable. That people can be cruel and not what they present as initially. Part of life is keeping your eyes open and your wits about you! Here the lessons are there but you could easily be distracted by the gross-out humour and the relentless chain of action, and just cruise to the end, it works either way.
Does it all turn out fine in the end?
You'll have to find out for yourself.
Does it all turn out fine in the end?
You'll have to find out for yourself.
October 25, 2018
I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed this book! I’d even go as far as calling it a Masterpiece! I had read it previously about 20 years ago but I only remembered bits and pieces, mostly due to the fact that when reading as a teenager I was often easily distracted and probably failed to take it all in. I’d like to wager that I appreciated it more this time around. The Switch is not just about two boys switching places, there are so many layers to what The Switch really is that I won’t go into because I always keep my reviews spoiler free but what I will say is that this is most definitely a fish out of water tale with a twist, I am actually surprised that there has never been a movie adaptation of this because I for one would love to see it, this book is massively under rated and definitely my favourite Horowitz Book so far!
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May 25, 2022The Switch book by Anthony Horowitz was an interesting book because it tells us about a 13 year old boy named Thomas Arnold David Spencer (or Tad Spencer) who lived in a fancy mansion, with everything he had and wanting to go anywhere for the summer until the night he wishes that he was somebody else...
The next morning, he wakes up as Bob Snarby and is trapped in another world where everything goes wrong. He remembers that he was there for a reason when Tad uncovers the secrets and the worst enemy of all... (Will he ever switch back bodies with Bob or not?)
-Lucky L. Lee
The next morning, he wakes up as Bob Snarby and is trapped in another world where everything goes wrong. He remembers that he was there for a reason when Tad uncovers the secrets and the worst enemy of all... (Will he ever switch back bodies with Bob or not?)
-Lucky L. Lee
November 6, 2016
I bought this book as part of an Anthony Horowitz box set as a whim.
I am glad I did. There are a lot of body swap stories and this one is a good one. It was enjoyable from start to finish. The subplots worked well too and were not tested on animals.
I often bemoan that there were not good books written for young adults when I was one. This book proves me wrong on that.
An enjoyable quick read and more than enough to pique my interest in other works by the author.
I am glad I did. There are a lot of body swap stories and this one is a good one. It was enjoyable from start to finish. The subplots worked well too and were not tested on animals.
I often bemoan that there were not good books written for young adults when I was one. This book proves me wrong on that.
An enjoyable quick read and more than enough to pique my interest in other works by the author.
January 1, 2020
The Switch is a brilliant book. My favourite part is when he gets his body switched over because of a wishing star that turns green and he wakes up as Bob. He doesn't know where the hell he is so he trys to escape the caravan. Rain is everywhere in the run down theme park My LEAST favourite part is when they go in the mirror maze and almost get themselves KILLED. This may sound funny, but I personally screamed when it happened so I rated it 3 stars.
I do reccomend this for 7 to 13 year olds.
I do reccomend this for 7 to 13 year olds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2022
Switch is about two boys who both wish to be a different person, one due to being very poor and having irresponsible, unkind parents, and one because his wealthy parents won’t allow him to go to a specific theme park. The story focuses on the rich boy-become-poor, which is very interesting. It is also written to be funny.The stuff about the Indian crystal-ball-reader was strange, but it was funny and enjoyable to read and an interesting concept.
December 4, 2017
I liked this book because it was funny and it shows how money can give greed like tads dad he killed all of those arambayan Indians and the twist whith the acid charity and I thought solo was a very important part in this book even though he was in two sentences and I thought the story about the chauffeur was brilliant and I love this book so I give it five stars
December 26, 2017
On page 49, I was ready to abandon this one. On page 80, the book took a totally different turn. Even though it was so very outrageous, I kept reading. This “Freaky Friday” meets “The Prince and the Pauper” and add in a bit of murder, tons of corruption, and utter craziness, you’ve got Tad (and Bob’s) story of what happened when bratty rich Tad wished he was someone else.
April 14, 2023
What starts as a simple body switch story soon turns into a cautionary tale, something far more sinister. The story deals with the human psyche in such a way that includes crime, magic and revenge. I wish more time was given for the story to flesh out. Everything happens at a fast pace, it's hard to stay attached to the characters. The story relies too much on concidence and fate.
May 16, 2018
A really well conceptualized story. Hats off to the author for keeping the reader entertained the whole read. Even though it was the same old typical story, it had a really well written finish. Overall it was a really good experience throughout.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews