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The Swap
Now a Disney Channel Original Movie, Megan Shull’s smart and funny, very readable book The Swap is a great summer reading (or anytime!) choice. Will appeal to fans of R. J. Palacio and Katherine Applegate, as well as of graphic novels such as Click, Invisible Emmie , and Smile . With one random wish, Jack and Ellie are living life in each other’s shoes. He’s her. And she’s him. ELLIE assumed popular guys didn’t worry about body image, being perfect, or talking to girls, but acting like you’re cool with everything is tougher than it looks. JACK thought girls had it easy—no fights with bullies, no demanding dads, no power plays—but facing mean girls at sleepovers and getting grilled about your period is way harder than taking a hit to the face at sports practice.
Now they’re dealing with each other’s middle school dramas—locker room teasing, cliques, video game battles, bra shopping, and a slew of hilariously awkward moments—until they hopefully switch back! Told in both Jack’s and Ellie’s voices, The Swap offers a fresh and honest take on tween friendship, all while exploring more serious themes of family, loss, empathy, and what it really means to be yourself. And as Jon Scieszka says, it’s “seriously, truly, fearlessly funny!” Plus don't miss Megan Shull's heartwarming Bounce— in development as a movie featuring YouTube star Jojo Siwa!
Now they’re dealing with each other’s middle school dramas—locker room teasing, cliques, video game battles, bra shopping, and a slew of hilariously awkward moments—until they hopefully switch back! Told in both Jack’s and Ellie’s voices, The Swap offers a fresh and honest take on tween friendship, all while exploring more serious themes of family, loss, empathy, and what it really means to be yourself. And as Jon Scieszka says, it’s “seriously, truly, fearlessly funny!” Plus don't miss Megan Shull's heartwarming Bounce— in development as a movie featuring YouTube star Jojo Siwa!
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
241 people are currently reading
3877 people want to read
About the author
Megan Shull
6 books239 followersA bighearted voice in kids’ fiction and film, MEGAN SHULL is the bestselling author of many stand-up-and-cheer stories for young readers and teens. Her books have been adapted for film, including Disney’s smash hit, The Swap. Most recently, Paramount won the rights to her novel Bounce. Born and raised in Ithaca, New York, Megan holds a doctoral degree from Cornell University, where her work focused on helping kids build resilience. She lives in her hometown, near a lake carved by glaciers and ringed by hills and a trillion waterfalls. Follow along @meganshull on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and visit: heymegan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 823 reviews
April 15, 2019
That was a really fun, entertaining and heartwarming read. It was nice to once again read a middle school book. At first I wasn’t into it that much because it feels like this familiar and predictable plot and I’m just reading it to kill time but as the story goes on, I find myself liking it more and more. The development of each character is quite adorable and I’m really happy with their self-discoveries and changes when they literally experienced living each other’s lives. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie. Will definitely watch it with the family.
July 21, 2015
5++ 'If you could dream it, you could achieve it' STARS
THIS IS MY REACTION AFTER READING THIS FABULOUS- INCREDIBLE- UNDENIEBLY SWEET AND HEART-WHELMING STORY EVER:
AWWW THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST STORY ABOUT FAMILY I HAVE EVER READ IN MY LIFE (: (: (:
People, you need to get a grab on this book! I can't put into words how amazeballs this books is, and how this book effects me one way or another. Iam feeling like a better person now. This book totally open my eyes and make me grateful to what i have,and make me believe that i could do anything beyond the limits, as long as i believe in me. This story is undeniably perfect and beautiful! I really recommend it to everyone to read it by yourself so you could experience the journey to read such a very awesome story about two kids with their own problems, their love with their families, who later find the happyness just be their own selves. I like all the caracters here--especially Jack's brother. One or two times while i was reading it, i was going to burst into tears reading their brother's bond. It was so beautiful how they love each other. No matter what went wrong to you, someone will always have your back and love you no less, and they are your own family.
I don't expect the ending will go that way though, but i think that what makes this book different than any other switch/ swap book/ movies i had ever watched/read. The ending what makes this book unique, and that ending what makes it even sweeter, even i got a little dissapointed since but i think it's alright. It's more beautiful with the way it is.
THIS IS MY REACTION AFTER READING THIS FABULOUS- INCREDIBLE- UNDENIEBLY SWEET AND HEART-WHELMING STORY EVER:
“You boys are my pride and joy,” my dad goes on. “You are the biggest blessing of my life. You do everything right. And I’m not talking about hockey. Hockey is a game, it is not what defines you. You are beautiful young men. You are kind, you care about others—” I look up at his eyes brightening through the tears. “I’m here, and I want to tell you how much I love you.”
AWWW THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST STORY ABOUT FAMILY I HAVE EVER READ IN MY LIFE (: (: (:
Sometimes we even talk about my mom. We remember her, all the good times.
I still wear the gold chain and pendant around my neck.
I never take it off.
The pendant is engraved with one word in tiny scripted letters. You need a magnifying glass to see—
The word is LOVE.
People, you need to get a grab on this book! I can't put into words how amazeballs this books is, and how this book effects me one way or another. Iam feeling like a better person now. This book totally open my eyes and make me grateful to what i have,and make me believe that i could do anything beyond the limits, as long as i believe in me. This story is undeniably perfect and beautiful! I really recommend it to everyone to read it by yourself so you could experience the journey to read such a very awesome story about two kids with their own problems, their love with their families, who later find the happyness just be their own selves. I like all the caracters here--especially Jack's brother. One or two times while i was reading it, i was going to burst into tears reading their brother's bond. It was so beautiful how they love each other. No matter what went wrong to you, someone will always have your back and love you no less, and they are your own family.
I don't expect the ending will go that way though, but i think that what makes this book different than any other switch/ swap book/ movies i had ever watched/read. The ending what makes this book unique, and that ending what makes it even sweeter, even i got a little dissapointed since but i think it's alright. It's more beautiful with the way it is.
I love my family more than I could ever say. When I look across the fire at Summer and my dad, Jett, Elle, Gunner, Stryker, I’m so grateful. I feel like the luckiest kid in the world.
And maybe I am.
March 24, 2015
Even though this book follow middle grade characters, their stories are ones to which people of all ages can relate. Told between two perspectives, this "Freaky Friday" inspired novel draws readers in with its strong emotions, real-life struggles, and laugh-out-loud humor! Overall 5/5 stars; I can't wait to see what Shull writes next!
April 4, 2016
What kind of ending was that???
I thought (and hoped and prayed) that Elle and Jack would end up together. I mean, like, they got together, BUT AS A FAMILY. Daheck? I don't know why it's such a big deal for me, but I'm not comfortable with the knowledge of having kissed your now-stepbrother before. I'm also bothered by the sudden change in The Captain, like HUH what? A transformation overnight? Ok, I'm buying it. Only coz I love parents who try and love their children. Also, dang, Sassy Gaines. Do people like her really exist in middle school? If so, I'm glad I never had to encounter a nasty witch. Altogether, I found this story to be pretty cute. A definite 3 stars.
I thought (and hoped and prayed) that Elle and Jack would end up together. I mean, like, they got together, BUT AS A FAMILY. Daheck? I don't know why it's such a big deal for me, but I'm not comfortable with the knowledge of having kissed your now-stepbrother before. I'm also bothered by the sudden change in The Captain, like HUH what? A transformation overnight? Ok, I'm buying it. Only coz I love parents who try and love their children. Also, dang, Sassy Gaines. Do people like her really exist in middle school? If so, I'm glad I never had to encounter a nasty witch. Altogether, I found this story to be pretty cute. A definite 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2020
Way to reinforce gender stereotypes. People need to relate to other *people* and not think of the world as divided into boy vs. girl. Yes, ok, I know that part of the point of the book was that girls are people, and boys are people. And I know both parents are doing are pretty good job, at least by the end, of being both mother and father to the kids. And the kids do learn to appreciate some bits of the opposite sex's approach to life. But those points are made very quietly and, imo, ineffectively.
The other messages are coming through much more strongly. Reading this I got the impression that a girl isn't normal if she doesn't like lavender bubble bath. A boy isn't "manly" if he doesn't like a polar plunge. The emphasis is on the *opposition* of the opposite sexes. No nuance, and no relevance, therefore, to the real world, in which most kids already know that girls can be athletic and boys can cry and if there's still a "Mars vs. Venus" thing going on it's because of books like this that foster it.
Oh, and don't get me started on the implausibility of the happy ending and all the supporting scaffolding required to get there.
It'd make a good Disney movie, I guess.
I did give it two stars, not one, because some poor child probably is so desperate, so clueless, about other people's perspectives, that he needs a book like this.
The other messages are coming through much more strongly. Reading this I got the impression that a girl isn't normal if she doesn't like lavender bubble bath. A boy isn't "manly" if he doesn't like a polar plunge. The emphasis is on the *opposition* of the opposite sexes. No nuance, and no relevance, therefore, to the real world, in which most kids already know that girls can be athletic and boys can cry and if there's still a "Mars vs. Venus" thing going on it's because of books like this that foster it.
Oh, and don't get me started on the implausibility of the happy ending and all the supporting scaffolding required to get there.
It'd make a good Disney movie, I guess.
I did give it two stars, not one, because some poor child probably is so desperate, so clueless, about other people's perspectives, that he needs a book like this.
October 26, 2017
What a surprisingly deep and heartfelt book! I was expecting something light given the Freaky Friday - type premise, but it REALLY dove into some middle school issues in an effective, realistic, and sometimes brutally honest way. I am going to be recommending this one A LOT.
August 4, 2016
Absolute 5 stars and shelved in Favorites! If you want to have a great laugh, then you should read this book. Highly recommended! :)
Sebenarnya tema swap bodies ini sudah sering ada di manga, tapi baru kali ini kutemukan tema ini di novel. Jadi yah memang tema ini tak original, tapi karena tema swap bodies selalu jadi favoritku plus ada humor di dalamnya dan coming of age juga, makanya aku sukaaaa banget dengan novel ini. XDD
Apalagi kisahnya lebih ke self-discovery and family, bukannya romance. Walaupun aku sedikit kecewa juga karena ini bukan romance, tapi pada akhirnya aku puas karena plotnya tidak ke arah romance dan itu menjadikannya berbeda dari yang lain. :D
Ada 2 POV dalam buku ini, Jack dan Ellie. Keduanya punya karakter yang berbeda, jadinya tidak terasa membingungkan biarpun POV mereka silih berganti sedari awal hingga akhir. Tentu saja author menulis nama mereka sebagai judul di tiap chapter supaya kita tahu ini giliran kepala siapa yang sedang kita intip, haha.
Ini novel yang paling engaging and unputdownable dari semua novel yang kubaca sebelumnya di bulan ini. I'm like, can't stop reading this book! LOL. kalau bukan karena ada aktivitas lain, sudah dibaca habis dalam sekali duduk. Gaya bahasanya juga enak, sangat remaja sekali. Pokoknya bukan tipe remaja yang kelewat dewasa deh untuk ukuran remaja atau tipe-tipe yang serius abis atau moody dan angsty melulu. Ini remaja yang lagi sibuk main game, sport, punya gebetan, pajama party di rumah teman, shopping time with mom, dll.
Tentu saja ada bagian seriusnya juga sampai aku ikutan nangis di beberapa bagian buku. Seperti saat Jack yang masih kerap merindukan ibunya yang meninggal setahun lalu itu, atau saat 'gunung es' Ayah Jack akhirnya mulai 'meleleh'. tapi tentu saja yang paling banyak adalah adegan komedinya dan juga banyak heartwarming time yang membuat hatiku ikut senang dan bahagia untuk para tokoh fiktif ini, hahaha.
Kalau kubilang, dari acara saling tukar kehidupan ini yang paling menikmatinya sesungguhnya adalah Jack. He have it easier than Ellie, lol. Dia praktis dimanjakan ibunya Ellie sepanjang waktu, setelah kehidupannya yang penuh disiplin bak militer. Sementara Ellie didisiplinkan ayahnya Jack, lol. Sayang sekali mereka sudah balik ke tubuh masing-masing saat Ellie akhirnya mendapat mens pertamanya. Aku ingin tahu bagaimana reaksi Jack jika ia masih berada di tubuh Ellie saat mens itu, lol. Nah, Jack ini gentleman abis deh, dia bahkan tidak berusaha memanfaatkan kesempatan dalam kesempitan, hehe. Tentu saja, Ellie juga sama. Tapi dia sempat cuci mata pas Jett lagi naked show di depannya, lol. Aku sebenarnya berharap Ellie akhirnya bisa jadian dengan Jett, tapi kalau melihat ending-nya sih kayanya rada mustahil, karena tidak ada indikasi ke sana, dan juga ada pertimbangan lain apakah ayah Jack lumayan open-minded soal itu. ;)
Sebenarnya tema swap bodies ini sudah sering ada di manga, tapi baru kali ini kutemukan tema ini di novel. Jadi yah memang tema ini tak original, tapi karena tema swap bodies selalu jadi favoritku plus ada humor di dalamnya dan coming of age juga, makanya aku sukaaaa banget dengan novel ini. XDD
Apalagi kisahnya lebih ke self-discovery and family, bukannya romance. Walaupun aku sedikit kecewa juga karena ini bukan romance, tapi pada akhirnya aku puas karena plotnya tidak ke arah romance dan itu menjadikannya berbeda dari yang lain. :D
Ada 2 POV dalam buku ini, Jack dan Ellie. Keduanya punya karakter yang berbeda, jadinya tidak terasa membingungkan biarpun POV mereka silih berganti sedari awal hingga akhir. Tentu saja author menulis nama mereka sebagai judul di tiap chapter supaya kita tahu ini giliran kepala siapa yang sedang kita intip, haha.
Ini novel yang paling engaging and unputdownable dari semua novel yang kubaca sebelumnya di bulan ini. I'm like, can't stop reading this book! LOL. kalau bukan karena ada aktivitas lain, sudah dibaca habis dalam sekali duduk. Gaya bahasanya juga enak, sangat remaja sekali. Pokoknya bukan tipe remaja yang kelewat dewasa deh untuk ukuran remaja atau tipe-tipe yang serius abis atau moody dan angsty melulu. Ini remaja yang lagi sibuk main game, sport, punya gebetan, pajama party di rumah teman, shopping time with mom, dll.
Tentu saja ada bagian seriusnya juga sampai aku ikutan nangis di beberapa bagian buku. Seperti saat Jack yang masih kerap merindukan ibunya yang meninggal setahun lalu itu, atau saat 'gunung es' Ayah Jack akhirnya mulai 'meleleh'. tapi tentu saja yang paling banyak adalah adegan komedinya dan juga banyak heartwarming time yang membuat hatiku ikut senang dan bahagia untuk para tokoh fiktif ini, hahaha.
Kalau kubilang, dari acara saling tukar kehidupan ini yang paling menikmatinya sesungguhnya adalah Jack. He have it easier than Ellie, lol. Dia praktis dimanjakan ibunya Ellie sepanjang waktu, setelah kehidupannya yang penuh disiplin bak militer. Sementara Ellie didisiplinkan ayahnya Jack, lol. Sayang sekali mereka sudah balik ke tubuh masing-masing saat Ellie akhirnya mendapat mens pertamanya. Aku ingin tahu bagaimana reaksi Jack jika ia masih berada di tubuh Ellie saat mens itu, lol. Nah, Jack ini gentleman abis deh, dia bahkan tidak berusaha memanfaatkan kesempatan dalam kesempitan, hehe. Tentu saja, Ellie juga sama. Tapi dia sempat cuci mata pas Jett lagi naked show di depannya, lol. Aku sebenarnya berharap Ellie akhirnya bisa jadian dengan Jett, tapi kalau melihat ending-nya sih kayanya rada mustahil, karena tidak ada indikasi ke sana, dan juga ada pertimbangan lain apakah ayah Jack lumayan open-minded soal itu. ;)
October 8, 2014
This book was a delightful surprise.
It was on the desk when I was checking out books for my kids in the children's section of my library, so I threw it in my bag, thinking it might be a somewhat amusing change from the Freaky Friday type switching bodies story.
Instead I got a sensitive and moving story of empathy and perspective, very well suited to its young teen target audience, of both sexes.
I was surprised by how unexpected the eventual outcome was and how sweet the ending was, without being soppy. Really well done all the way through.
It was on the desk when I was checking out books for my kids in the children's section of my library, so I threw it in my bag, thinking it might be a somewhat amusing change from the Freaky Friday type switching bodies story.
Instead I got a sensitive and moving story of empathy and perspective, very well suited to its young teen target audience, of both sexes.
I was surprised by how unexpected the eventual outcome was and how sweet the ending was, without being soppy. Really well done all the way through.
April 13, 2014
Adorable.
Another book with a misleading summary, yet instead of being disappointed, I'm actually glad the book took a completely different direction from what the blurb seems to imply. The body swap, instead of becoming a vehicle for romance (though I'd be lying if I say I don't ship it because I do), was used as a catalyst for both Jack and Ellie to overcome their weaknesses and grow as characters. It's a book about friendship, family and self-discovery, headed by characters who are both likeable and each with a distinct narrative voice.
The whole body swap thing felt so random though. They could have at least talked to the nurse again. But after the event, the nurse was never heard from again. She's like 'I'm just here as a plot device. Goodbye.'
Still, a good middle-grade book and I feel like reading more middle-grade books again after this (and Rooftoppers).
Another book with a misleading summary, yet instead of being disappointed, I'm actually glad the book took a completely different direction from what the blurb seems to imply. The body swap, instead of becoming a vehicle for romance (though I'd be lying if I say I don't ship it because I do), was used as a catalyst for both Jack and Ellie to overcome their weaknesses and grow as characters. It's a book about friendship, family and self-discovery, headed by characters who are both likeable and each with a distinct narrative voice.
The whole body swap thing felt so random though. They could have at least talked to the nurse again. But after the event, the nurse was never heard from again. She's like 'I'm just here as a plot device. Goodbye.'
Still, a good middle-grade book and I feel like reading more middle-grade books again after this (and Rooftoppers).
January 4, 2017
Oh my gosh. This book is aggressively adorable. It pulled me in, and I could hardly escape for homework breaks. The story is very cute, well thought out and relatable. I definitely recommend when you need a little sunshine in your life.
March 30, 2015
OH. MY. GOD This just like ... the best book I've ever read in this month. Really, I have the hardest time and the hardest mood this month. I loose my energic. But, Oh God! This book is totally, Awesomesauce!
The main idea is not something new ... I've watched the movie about swap body several years ago. But this novel is really--just like I said before, and maybe you dont want to read it again, so I change the words--Great!--and no! Not just great, but amazeballs. For sure ... I kind of hoped that Jack and Elle will become something like boyfriend and girlfriend. But at the end of story ... I just feel how cool they are. Its like I was there ... with the big-happy-family ... watching all of them laugh and sang.
In the end ... I just want to say two words for you all: Read. It!
The main idea is not something new ... I've watched the movie about swap body several years ago. But this novel is really--just like I said before, and maybe you dont want to read it again, so I change the words--Great!--and no! Not just great, but amazeballs. For sure ... I kind of hoped that Jack and Elle will become something like boyfriend and girlfriend. But at the end of story ... I just feel how cool they are. Its like I was there ... with the big-happy-family ... watching all of them laugh and sang.
In the end ... I just want to say two words for you all: Read. It!
June 21, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! The idea has been done before, freaky friday and its a boy girl thing, but I was still wrapped up into this book right away, it was realistic, heart warming and funny at parts, plus I really enjoyed the characters, especially Summer (Ellie's mom) who was undeniably sweet. The ending was perfect, and its something that many people can relate to. I did think it was going to go in a different direction, but I'm glad that it was done the way it was. Great story! I recommend.
September 17, 2016
I freaking loved this book and now it's being turned into a Disney Channel Original Movie! I admit the movie does look different than the book but it still looks just as funny!
I could really relate to this story, it was the story I needed to read when I was in grade 7! I loved Jack and Ellie! <3
I could really relate to this story, it was the story I needed to read when I was in grade 7! I loved Jack and Ellie! <3
December 27, 2014
So .. first thing's first: This is a love story. Not like a couples love story. It's more like loving your family. Loving with what you have, embracing yourself and your potential and staying true to yourself. Appreciating the simple joys of life and what is has in store for you. It's saddening that most kids in High School lived in it like they have to please everyone, that you have to be friends with the most popular ones so the society can accept you even if they're a bunch of wackos and bitches. You can never blame them though, I mean it's brutal. Personally speaking, High School is where my most awkward years lie. I was a bit the suffer-in-silence type. I never wanna relive that. Lol. But eventually it gets better, when you just stop caring about what other people think. What matters is what you think about yourself. Everybody else is different (in a good way). This was a fun read. Got a good laugh from it. And the author is such a sweetheart; she sent me tea, strawberries and bananas (virtually). How cool is that!
June 23, 2016
I loved this book!! It was amazing!! It is super funny, and I'm going into 7th grade, so it was perfect. And I know exactly what Ellie (Jack) is going through, which makes it even more funny. I think boys and girls around 11-14 should DEFINITELY put this book on their reading list. It teaches you that boys and girls both have it tough in middle school, and don't judge a book by its cover. I really loved this book, and even in you're older or younger, you should still read this amazing book!!
January 21, 2015
One of the reasons why I hate The Swap so very, very much is that in the hands of a skilled writer (read: a writer with even a modicum of talent) this could have been a very interesting story. Unfortunately, Shull doesn’t possess a lick of talent. She turns what would ordinarily be a fascinating look at teenage life into a cliché ridden, sappy and extraordinarily annoying mess that barely deserves to be called a novel.
I could probably go on and on about why I hate this book. Firstly, the book has every single teen cliché that you can possibly think of in it. The characters are walking, talking caricatures and didn’t seem like real people making real decisions. It is abundantly clear that Shull has forgotten what it is like to be a teenager. It isn’t about hormones, and, in many cases, it’s not about sex either. It’s about identity and finding out who you are truly meant to be.
There’s also the incredibly ridiculous means by which the two main characters swap bodies. The school nurse – who is not seen before or after this scene – somehow manages to use a magic spell to make them swap bodies for no particular reason, and then utterly disappears from the narrative just when the main characters need to switch back. They only switch back when they’ve made some pivotal epiphany about their lives.
And that’s another thing I have a beef with. Jack’s father is abusive. He’s a nasty piece of work. And yet, somehow, at the end of the novel, everyone realizes that he’s only like that because he’s mourning his wife, and then he just stops being like that. Just like that. Life does not WORK like that, people, and I kept waiting for someone to point out that Jack’s father was emotionally abusive to his sons, but no one did. It is an insult to act like this is a normal part of the grieving process, and a dangerous attitude, too.
In conclusion, run like the plague from The Swap. I can’t put it any simpler.
I could probably go on and on about why I hate this book. Firstly, the book has every single teen cliché that you can possibly think of in it. The characters are walking, talking caricatures and didn’t seem like real people making real decisions. It is abundantly clear that Shull has forgotten what it is like to be a teenager. It isn’t about hormones, and, in many cases, it’s not about sex either. It’s about identity and finding out who you are truly meant to be.
There’s also the incredibly ridiculous means by which the two main characters swap bodies. The school nurse – who is not seen before or after this scene – somehow manages to use a magic spell to make them swap bodies for no particular reason, and then utterly disappears from the narrative just when the main characters need to switch back. They only switch back when they’ve made some pivotal epiphany about their lives.
And that’s another thing I have a beef with. Jack’s father is abusive. He’s a nasty piece of work. And yet, somehow, at the end of the novel, everyone realizes that he’s only like that because he’s mourning his wife, and then he just stops being like that. Just like that. Life does not WORK like that, people, and I kept waiting for someone to point out that Jack’s father was emotionally abusive to his sons, but no one did. It is an insult to act like this is a normal part of the grieving process, and a dangerous attitude, too.
In conclusion, run like the plague from The Swap. I can’t put it any simpler.
June 10, 2016
this book was the book that i have been looking for it was so good that i could not put it down
May 6, 2020
I thought that this book was good
June 22, 2020
Freaky Friday meets middle school in this unexpectedly delightful story about family, friends, and fulfillment.
As the youngest of four boys, Jack constantly strives to live up to his Dad's rigorous expectations and be the best. He doesn't dare mess up. 8th grade will rock if he can stay in the school of his choice. But then he loses his temper and gets in a fight that threatens to cost him everything he has worked for...
Only-child Ellie dreads 7th grade. Her once best friend now actively bullies her and she feels constantly belittled and isolated. She lives in a world of body shaming and longs to quit everything. She tries to walk out of school but gets caught by the principle.
The two meet and look enviously at the other's lives...only to wake up as the other person! Can they find the answers to their problems by walking in someone else's shoes?
This is cute and as Disney Channel-esque as you would imagine, but it manages to maintain a fairly moving and honest tone about confidence and family/peer pressure. I really loved the portrayal of Jack's brothers, though sometimes Ellie's cluelessness gave me major second hand embarrassment. But ya know, I take that as a win because it meant I was invested in the story.
The book feels rather juvenile, especially initially, with exclamation marks(! Like OMG! We switched bodies!) that eventually calm down as the story progresses. There is a cliche sleepover scene contrasting guy and girl behavior worthy of Teen Beach Movie and girls getting their period plays a weirdly large role.
But overall I found this novel fun. I liked the characters. I liked the improbable happily ever after. I was entertained and left with warm fuzzies. What more can you ask for from your middle school fiction?
As the youngest of four boys, Jack constantly strives to live up to his Dad's rigorous expectations and be the best. He doesn't dare mess up. 8th grade will rock if he can stay in the school of his choice. But then he loses his temper and gets in a fight that threatens to cost him everything he has worked for...
Only-child Ellie dreads 7th grade. Her once best friend now actively bullies her and she feels constantly belittled and isolated. She lives in a world of body shaming and longs to quit everything. She tries to walk out of school but gets caught by the principle.
The two meet and look enviously at the other's lives...only to wake up as the other person! Can they find the answers to their problems by walking in someone else's shoes?
This is cute and as Disney Channel-esque as you would imagine, but it manages to maintain a fairly moving and honest tone about confidence and family/peer pressure. I really loved the portrayal of Jack's brothers, though sometimes Ellie's cluelessness gave me major second hand embarrassment. But ya know, I take that as a win because it meant I was invested in the story.
The book feels rather juvenile, especially initially, with exclamation marks(! Like OMG! We switched bodies!) that eventually calm down as the story progresses. There is a cliche sleepover scene contrasting guy and girl behavior worthy of Teen Beach Movie and girls getting their period plays a weirdly large role.
But overall I found this novel fun. I liked the characters. I liked the improbable happily ever after. I was entertained and left with warm fuzzies. What more can you ask for from your middle school fiction?
September 13, 2016
I loved this book so much. The characters that swapped lives were a boy and a girl so it was funny reading how they dealt with some pretty awkward situations. This is a book that will make you laugh a lot. Although some parts were funny, both characters had pretty sad situations so reading this you will sympathize with them. The Swap is like a much better version of 'Freaky Friday'. Once you start reading this book you won't be able to put it down.
July 1, 2016
Yes, switching bodies has been done plenty of times before, but not in the way Megan Shull writes it. I immediately became invested in the two main characters Ellie and Jack. Both struggle with issues other cannot see. This book is true to middle school angst. Fun, loving, and heart-warming. I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
July 3, 2016
Wonderful book! Loved the pov switches more than expected, like Jack's personality soooo much and his brothers. It was a heart warming book of family fruendship and self acceptance. ♥♥
June 28, 2015
This book was in my to-be-read pile since I got the ARC but I never got the time or mood to read this. There's something about it that makes me think twice whether to read it or not. I was thinking it will be like Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell or Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern and to be honest the feelings while reading this was the same one when I was reading the books I have mentioned above, and that's a good thing because I enjoyed it. I was so ready to finish it in one day but I was sad because I have to do something else like house chores and work in the office so finishing it got really delayed that's why half of the book was finished yesterday, June 21.
The story flow was a pretty one. I always imagine myself to be in a body of a guy and to feel what they feel because I always wanted to be a guy but it won't ever happen I know so for a minute I considered Ellie a lucky character because she was able to swap body to a guy and not just a guy but a popular guy! This book is full of awesomeness because each turn of the page? Either you will laugh, smile, get pissed off or learn something from each individual lives.
This type of book are the ones you will hardly put down. All you wanted is to read until you reach THE END yet, when you did you'll probably ask for more. The cover of the book is also catchy and so with the title. I got curious the first time I saw it. I suddenly remember Every Day at this book. Living in somebody else's body? well have you imagined now how this one looks? I think people who will read this will enjoy everything.
This is such an easy read but fantastic book that you will fall in love with.
The story flow was a pretty one. I always imagine myself to be in a body of a guy and to feel what they feel because I always wanted to be a guy but it won't ever happen I know so for a minute I considered Ellie a lucky character because she was able to swap body to a guy and not just a guy but a popular guy! This book is full of awesomeness because each turn of the page? Either you will laugh, smile, get pissed off or learn something from each individual lives.
This type of book are the ones you will hardly put down. All you wanted is to read until you reach THE END yet, when you did you'll probably ask for more. The cover of the book is also catchy and so with the title. I got curious the first time I saw it. I suddenly remember Every Day at this book. Living in somebody else's body? well have you imagined now how this one looks? I think people who will read this will enjoy everything.
This is such an easy read but fantastic book that you will fall in love with.
January 10, 2015
3.5
ALL THE AWWWWWS.
After finishing this book, I realised how wrong the description of the book was; this isn't a romance. I mean, sure, Ellie and Jack experience a few heart thumping moments or whatever, but they're all just crushes because they're just in their early teens.
Come on, we had those. Those stupid, 3 day infatuations with guys you wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole now.
Although, when I was in the seventh grade, my most immediate worry was when the next episode of my favorite TV show came out or when the next comic book was releasing. String bikinis? Parties? Abs? (no seriously, abs on a 13 year old? WHAT THE ACTUAL?)
Me and my little bunch of friends had still believed that boys had cooties in the seventh grade. Dear lord, we were so sheltered and innocent.
This book is more about self confidence and family. How the grass is always greener on the other side and all that jazz. It's so damn adorable.
My only problem is that the nurse who appears in the first 1/4 part of the book, disappears completely after, and doesn't come later. At all. Poof.Mind you, she is the one who switched them, so she is a very important- albeit not a main- character. Where the hell did she go?
ALL THE AWWWWWS.
After finishing this book, I realised how wrong the description of the book was; this isn't a romance. I mean, sure, Ellie and Jack experience a few heart thumping moments or whatever, but they're all just crushes because they're just in their early teens.
Come on, we had those. Those stupid, 3 day infatuations with guys you wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole now.
Although, when I was in the seventh grade, my most immediate worry was when the next episode of my favorite TV show came out or when the next comic book was releasing. String bikinis? Parties? Abs? (no seriously, abs on a 13 year old? WHAT THE ACTUAL?)
Me and my little bunch of friends had still believed that boys had cooties in the seventh grade. Dear lord, we were so sheltered and innocent.
This book is more about self confidence and family. How the grass is always greener on the other side and all that jazz. It's so damn adorable.
My only problem is that the nurse who appears in the first 1/4 part of the book, disappears completely after, and doesn't come later. At all. Poof.Mind you, she is the one who switched them, so she is a very important- albeit not a main- character. Where the hell did she go?
August 21, 2014
This is a perfect middle school book about being yourself, standing up to bullies, and realizing how the other half lives. Is the ending too neatly wrapped up? In my opinion, no, not if the author's aiming for a middle school readership. Also, this is a book about a magical switcheroo -- It's light fantasy, in a Disney TV show way. The girl lives only with her mom who's very emotional and comforting. The boy lives with his dad and three older brothers who are all very macho and hard-core about training for hockey. So the switch is super-weird, more so than for a kid from a more gender-balanced home life. But that's what make reading it fun!
Since I work at a library where book must be either Juv or Teen, I had a hard time deciding where this book should go. There's only one kiss, and no really swearing. Morning wood is mentioned, and getting your period, but nothing really sexual other than that. Even his brothers don't have nudie mags or pornos laying around. But the length is over 350 pages, so I ultimately decided to put it in YA Teen collection.
Since I work at a library where book must be either Juv or Teen, I had a hard time deciding where this book should go. There's only one kiss, and no really swearing. Morning wood is mentioned, and getting your period, but nothing really sexual other than that. Even his brothers don't have nudie mags or pornos laying around. But the length is over 350 pages, so I ultimately decided to put it in YA Teen collection.
January 8, 2015
In this novel, the reader comes to understand the meaning of empathy and learning to become loyal. This story takes place in modern times, and Ellie and Jack are the protagonists of the book. The story is told in the first person by both Ellie and Jack. When they both swap lives, they must learn to adapt to each others lives as the other person. "You be me, and I'll be you." is a quote often stated throughout the book. This book is easy to relate to because of the many similarities the characters face. The main theme is empathy. Both kids must learn how to live one anthers life to seem regular to the opposite person's friends and family. This is a great book for people interested in a little bit of fantasy mixed in with realistic fiction and should definitely be read!
August 3, 2014
Smart. Funny. Insightful. Great premise. Enjoyed the tween slang. Read it.
July 22, 2014
Review Posted on Reading Lark on 7/22/14: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2014/...
I'm not typically a middle grades reader. In fact, I loved the cover of this one so much I snagged it before I realized it was a middle grades novel. I really should take a chance on more of these as they are something I could talk to my students about more than some of the upper YA stuff. The Swap was an excellent way to dive into middle grades and get a feel for this age group. Also, after teaching 7th and 8th graders for so long, I can firmly say that this novel portrays middle schoolers in a realistic and authentic way. Shull has captured the essence of the middle school experience beautifully in all of its bittersweet glory.
The Swap is Mean Girls meets Freaky Friday with a dash of The Mighty Ducks. Seriously, if this novel had existed when I was in middle school, I would have been all about it. No friend of mine would have gotten away with not reading this one. I did find that as an adult, I didn't love this one the way I love YA novels, but I did enjoy it. I love that there is a female main character, Ellie, and a male main character, Jack. It's so hard to find novels to hand to my male students from time to time. I think this novel will appeal to both genders and I love the messages it contains on topics such as bullying, giving your best, and finding true friends.
Ellie is getting ready to enter the 7th grade without her best friend. Sassy, her former BFF, has decided she is too cool for Ellie these days and she never misses an opportunity to let Ellie know exactly how she feels. Sassy is the sort of girl who makes me cringe; she flings insults and chooses to put people down to make herself feel better. I loved that most of the characters in the novel were not fooled by her and even the male characters realized that she was only pretty until she opened her mouth. Ellie, on the other hand, can't stop wishing that Sassy was her friend again - no matter how horrible Sassy treats her. In the beginning of the novel, Ellie is shy and unsure of herself. She doesn't truly see the beautiful and talented individual she is, but rather she sees herself as unworthy and unfriendable. She chooses to hide from her problems rather than tackle them head on.
The other main character, Jack, is going into 8th grade and he's the boy ever girl dreams about at night. He's handsome, smart, nice, and one heck of a hockey player. The girls even refer to Jack as "The Prince", but he's so shy around the opposite sex that he has no idea he is the object of every female's affection. Jack is also struggling at home after the death of his mother. His dad is withdrawn and expects a lot out of Jack and his three older brothers. Even though Jack's dad is always pushing the boys to be the best and his heart is in the right place, I felt bad for Jack. There is so much pressure on him and nothing ever seems good enough.
Things change drastically for Ellie and Jack on the first day of school. Bad decisions land them both in the nurses office where they lament that the other gender has life so much easier. Moments later they realize that they have swapped bodies. Ellie must live Jack's life and he must live hers. Both of them will realize that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. This experience will change them both for the better and help them appreciate their lives and families.
I think this is a valuable novel for middle school kids. While it irked me that Sassy was such a jerk, her behavior is sadly something lots of kids have to deal with during their school career. There are some valuable lessons about how to handle bullying in this one that I think would be beneficial for younger adolescents. I also think the messages about true friendship and loyalty are important. I'll certainly be recommending this one when school starts again in a few weeks.
One Last Gripe: This one seemed a bit long for a middle grades novel.
Favorite Thing About The Book: I loved the ending - it was exactly how I wanted things to end up.
First Sentence: It's sunny and it's summer and the three of us are sitting on the scratchy cement edge of the Riverside Swim Club pool, dangling our feet into the deep end.
Favorite Character: Ellie
Least Favorite Characters: Sassy and Aspen
I'm not typically a middle grades reader. In fact, I loved the cover of this one so much I snagged it before I realized it was a middle grades novel. I really should take a chance on more of these as they are something I could talk to my students about more than some of the upper YA stuff. The Swap was an excellent way to dive into middle grades and get a feel for this age group. Also, after teaching 7th and 8th graders for so long, I can firmly say that this novel portrays middle schoolers in a realistic and authentic way. Shull has captured the essence of the middle school experience beautifully in all of its bittersweet glory.
The Swap is Mean Girls meets Freaky Friday with a dash of The Mighty Ducks. Seriously, if this novel had existed when I was in middle school, I would have been all about it. No friend of mine would have gotten away with not reading this one. I did find that as an adult, I didn't love this one the way I love YA novels, but I did enjoy it. I love that there is a female main character, Ellie, and a male main character, Jack. It's so hard to find novels to hand to my male students from time to time. I think this novel will appeal to both genders and I love the messages it contains on topics such as bullying, giving your best, and finding true friends.
Ellie is getting ready to enter the 7th grade without her best friend. Sassy, her former BFF, has decided she is too cool for Ellie these days and she never misses an opportunity to let Ellie know exactly how she feels. Sassy is the sort of girl who makes me cringe; she flings insults and chooses to put people down to make herself feel better. I loved that most of the characters in the novel were not fooled by her and even the male characters realized that she was only pretty until she opened her mouth. Ellie, on the other hand, can't stop wishing that Sassy was her friend again - no matter how horrible Sassy treats her. In the beginning of the novel, Ellie is shy and unsure of herself. She doesn't truly see the beautiful and talented individual she is, but rather she sees herself as unworthy and unfriendable. She chooses to hide from her problems rather than tackle them head on.
The other main character, Jack, is going into 8th grade and he's the boy ever girl dreams about at night. He's handsome, smart, nice, and one heck of a hockey player. The girls even refer to Jack as "The Prince", but he's so shy around the opposite sex that he has no idea he is the object of every female's affection. Jack is also struggling at home after the death of his mother. His dad is withdrawn and expects a lot out of Jack and his three older brothers. Even though Jack's dad is always pushing the boys to be the best and his heart is in the right place, I felt bad for Jack. There is so much pressure on him and nothing ever seems good enough.
Things change drastically for Ellie and Jack on the first day of school. Bad decisions land them both in the nurses office where they lament that the other gender has life so much easier. Moments later they realize that they have swapped bodies. Ellie must live Jack's life and he must live hers. Both of them will realize that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. This experience will change them both for the better and help them appreciate their lives and families.
I think this is a valuable novel for middle school kids. While it irked me that Sassy was such a jerk, her behavior is sadly something lots of kids have to deal with during their school career. There are some valuable lessons about how to handle bullying in this one that I think would be beneficial for younger adolescents. I also think the messages about true friendship and loyalty are important. I'll certainly be recommending this one when school starts again in a few weeks.
One Last Gripe: This one seemed a bit long for a middle grades novel.
Favorite Thing About The Book: I loved the ending - it was exactly how I wanted things to end up.
First Sentence: It's sunny and it's summer and the three of us are sitting on the scratchy cement edge of the Riverside Swim Club pool, dangling our feet into the deep end.
Favorite Character: Ellie
Least Favorite Characters: Sassy and Aspen
Read
February 1, 2018it was a good book
July 23, 2015
I have a much different perspective on this book as someone who has literally written dozens of gender swap books. I have to say this was a pretty pathetic effort, worse than most of the self-published ones I've read.
The biggest problem is there is no real need for a magic gender swap. For the story to really achieve any kind of drama, you need a compelling reason for the change and you need the character(s) to become something completely opposite to what they were. This book fails on both counts.
Jack is a 13-year-old kid obsessed with hockey. He has 3 older brothers and a dad who are kind of rough on him. Their mom died a year ago and the dad has been crabby ever since. Meanwhile Elle is a whiny 12-year-old who plays soccer and totally can't deal with her former best friend becoming a huge b-word. OMG! The drama! So they both end up in the school nurse's office and she somehow causes them to swap brains. The first problem is who is this nurse? And why the heck don't we ever see or hear from her again? She's just a convenient plot device apparently.
Jack (now Elle) and Elle (now Jack) don't even look for the nurse. They don't go and ask anyone who this woman is or where they might find her. They don't Google her or look for her on Facebook. They don't even pick up a phone book. Instead they just decide, OK, let's come back on Monday and hope she's here! Because that's exactly what you do in that situation, right? It's not like you'd be totally freaking the heck out or anything.
It's much too easy for them from then out. You think a tough guy jock like Jack might be a little freaked out to be wearing a bra and stuff, but nah, he hardly gives it a thought. And it might freak Elle out a little to have a ding-dong. Nah. See this is the problem where you need the characters to become total opposites. So if Jack is a tough guy jock then Elle should be the ultimate girly-girl, not a sorta tomboy jock. That's pretty much a lateral move.
Opportunities are squandered all over the place for anything significant to happen. Mostly they go to sports practices. The author glosses over Jack (as Elle) going shopping for girl's clothes, which would have been a good chance to squeeze in a little awkwardness. The only real thing that happens is Jack (as Elle) goes to a sleepover and they run into Elle (as Jack) with his friends but even then nothing comes of it. For a "tween" book you can't expect sex like erotica gender swap books, but that doesn't mean you can't do SOMETHING.
Anyway, is it a spoiler to say everything turns out awesome? Not that they had any serious problems in the first place. These kids didn't need a nurse with magic powers; they just needed a couple of sessions with a shrink. Or actually Jack's father needed the shrink along with Elle. A magic gender swap seems like cutting off your finger to "cure" a splinter.
If you want to read better gender swap books, I know where you can find a few. Hint, hint. Though they aren't as kid-friendly.
That is all.
The biggest problem is there is no real need for a magic gender swap. For the story to really achieve any kind of drama, you need a compelling reason for the change and you need the character(s) to become something completely opposite to what they were. This book fails on both counts.
Jack is a 13-year-old kid obsessed with hockey. He has 3 older brothers and a dad who are kind of rough on him. Their mom died a year ago and the dad has been crabby ever since. Meanwhile Elle is a whiny 12-year-old who plays soccer and totally can't deal with her former best friend becoming a huge b-word. OMG! The drama! So they both end up in the school nurse's office and she somehow causes them to swap brains. The first problem is who is this nurse? And why the heck don't we ever see or hear from her again? She's just a convenient plot device apparently.
Jack (now Elle) and Elle (now Jack) don't even look for the nurse. They don't go and ask anyone who this woman is or where they might find her. They don't Google her or look for her on Facebook. They don't even pick up a phone book. Instead they just decide, OK, let's come back on Monday and hope she's here! Because that's exactly what you do in that situation, right? It's not like you'd be totally freaking the heck out or anything.
It's much too easy for them from then out. You think a tough guy jock like Jack might be a little freaked out to be wearing a bra and stuff, but nah, he hardly gives it a thought. And it might freak Elle out a little to have a ding-dong. Nah. See this is the problem where you need the characters to become total opposites. So if Jack is a tough guy jock then Elle should be the ultimate girly-girl, not a sorta tomboy jock. That's pretty much a lateral move.
Opportunities are squandered all over the place for anything significant to happen. Mostly they go to sports practices. The author glosses over Jack (as Elle) going shopping for girl's clothes, which would have been a good chance to squeeze in a little awkwardness. The only real thing that happens is Jack (as Elle) goes to a sleepover and they run into Elle (as Jack) with his friends but even then nothing comes of it. For a "tween" book you can't expect sex like erotica gender swap books, but that doesn't mean you can't do SOMETHING.
Anyway, is it a spoiler to say everything turns out awesome? Not that they had any serious problems in the first place. These kids didn't need a nurse with magic powers; they just needed a couple of sessions with a shrink. Or actually Jack's father needed the shrink along with Elle. A magic gender swap seems like cutting off your finger to "cure" a splinter.
If you want to read better gender swap books, I know where you can find a few. Hint, hint. Though they aren't as kid-friendly.
That is all.
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