Help! I'm Trapped in Santa's Body

Help! I'm Trapped...

by Todd Strasser

Santa is tired of being Santa. He hands Jake a small red and green envelope, and WHUMP--Jake is at the mall listening to kids ask for presents and pulling at his beard!.

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Middle Grade

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Todd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.

His most recent novel is Summer of '69

Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."

Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."

His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus 
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA 
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal 

Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.

All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.

After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.

Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.

Reviews

[Jesska · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. Better than I expected, based on the creepy cover. Too much booger talk, tho.

[Ms. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing, and it also has a moral. Christmas is about giving, not getting. Jake Sherman thinks that christmas is about getting, and one night, Santa landed in Jake's house. Then, when Jake and his friends went to the mall to help santa get some fax. Then when Jake opens an envelope that Santa told him to open at the mall, Jake switched bodies and became Santa! Jake goes through the hardshsips that Santa went through, and soon realizes why Santa wanted to quit his job! At the end you'll see if Santa changes his mind or not.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another fun story in the Help! I'm Trapped... series by Todd Strasser. We have read several of the books in this series now and while they are probably more appropriate for children a little bit older than our girls, they still really like them. The stories are fun and usually a bit strange. They often have a moral lesson built in, but the story itself is interesting enough, too. I was a bit hesitant to read this book with our girls. It discusses the fact that many children do not believe in Santa anymore, but then it featured Santa himself. After we finished the story, our girls still professed their belief in the jolly old elf, but I know the seed of doubt is there.

[Hatchetgabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my first chapter books as a kid,i remember it being absolutely hilarious!

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was funny, yet meaningful, and a good reminder about being kind and giving instead of selfish and greedy. I hadn't even heard some of the come-backs, so it was funny, in an old-school way. We have read a few of the books in this series and have a few more to read. I read it aloud to our 12-year-old son on Christmas break, so it was perfect timing!

[Wynee Igel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sounded funny from the description and it is a fun read for 7-10 year olds. Although as an adult I could guess some of the types of things that would happen, there were also unexpected surprises and fun aspects. The author successfully made it relatively current and fresh without being too preachy. I'm going to check into other books in this series.

[Alyssa Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not even a Santa person, but this one makes you think.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought these books were just hillarious

[Justin Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

pretty boring