Switched

by Bruce Hale

From the Edgar-nominated author Bruce Hale comes a hilarious story of a boy and a dog...who become a dog and a boy Who's a good boy? Twelve-year-old Parker Pitts hates a mess. Ever since his grandmother died, he's much more comfortable when things are He scrubs the kitchen counters at home, avoids the school bully at all costs, and never even speaks to Gabriella Cortez, the most interesting girl in the sixth grade. No muss, no fuss, no complicated feelings to worry about. But now Parker's older sister is traveling abroad for the semester, leaving behind her obnoxious and extremely disorderly goldendoodle, Boof, for Parker to manage. Man's best friend? More like boy's worst nightmare! When an intense round of tug-of-war leaves both dog and boy with bumped heads, Parker and Boof wake up to the biggest disaster they've switched bodies! Suddenly Boof has to find his way through a school day and Parker has to...eat dog food?! It's a mess of truly epic proportions. Can Parker and Boof clean it up -- together?

Genres: Middle Grade, Humor, Magical Realism, Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Animals

256 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2023

About the author

A serious book addict, Bruce wanted to be a children's book author since he was in 4th grade (right after he got over wanting to be a pirate, Tarzan, and Daniel Boone). Today he's the author-illustrator of over 70 seriously funny books for kids, so some dreams do come true.

The Malted Falcon, one of his Chet Gecko Mysteries series, was an Edgar Award finalist, and Murder, My Tweet won a Little D Award for Juvenile Humor Writing. Bruce has written everything from picture books and easy readers, to graphic novels and novels.

Bruce's recent Monstertown Mysteries series blends horror and humor, based on his childhood love of monster movies. His other series include Class Pets, about the secret lives of classroom pets, and the forthcoming Outerspace Mystery Pizza Club books, due in 2024.

A Fulbright Scholar (in Storytelling), Bruce is also a popular speaker, both in the U.S. and internationally. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and knuckleheaded dog Riley. When he's not writing or reading, you may find him hiking, kickboxing, or singing with a latin-jazz band called Mezcal Martini.

Reviews

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My libraries own Hale’s Class Pets and Chet Gecko series and my kids and I enjoy those, but this stand alone book about a boy and a goldendoodle who swap bodies is hilarious and heart-warming and likely his best work so far. Sixth grader Parker is known by Boof the dog as Gloomy Boy, and for good reason. His grandmother’s death has left a huge hole in his heart that he strives to fill by obsessively cleaning and organizing everything around him and smiles are almost non-existent. Boof, on the other hand, is a free spirit who revels in making messes, playing hard, and eating anything he can get his paws on. A angry wish and an unusual statue results in the two switching bodies and the fun begins! Using Patricia McConnell’s “The Other End of the Leash” website and non-fiction by Alexandra Horowitz, Hale writes like he has lived a portion of his own life as a dog and the realism will keep readers chuckling. The conclusion of this terrific middle grade read may be predictable, but that doesn’t stop it from being intensely satisfying. Perfect combination of laughing and learning a solid life lesson about grief recovery. Highly recommended for libraries for those in grades 4 and up with no red flags about content. Thanks for the print ARC, Scholastic!

[Jacci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would entertain any child aged eight an up, especially boys. It has humor and creativity as well as diversity and touching on some hard topics like grief and OCD. These things are asides so you don't get distracted by the main story of a boy who gets switched with his dog.
As an adult I enjoyed it more once the switch happened and I would have loved more explanation after the switch back happened, it ended too abruptly for me. I also don't understand the abundance of metaphors and similes that boy books have today. It must be a thing they love as I've seen it in James Patterson's kid books too.
Anyway, the cover is cool, tho I kept trying to turn it upside down, it is really beautiful. All in all I think kids will love this book and I have a young friend who will read it next and I think he will be very happy.

[Jennifer Hottinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an entertaining read! The premise had me intrigued from the start! Who doesn’t want to live the life of a pup now and again-sleeping, playing, spoiled...Oh, but then the strong sniffer yearning for a whiff of spoiled garbage, poo, and the way they greet their friends...Hmm-maybe NOT… I laughed, but also felt for each as they had to spend time in each other’s shoes. Love the bond forming throughout the story!

[Esther Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great cross of humor and feel good. Not a literary classic but imagining a dog in a person’s shoes just was the perfect levity for stressful times. We need more laughter.

[Suebee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has immense kid appeal and would be a huge seller at a school book fair.

If I were still in my position as a school librarian, this book would constantly be on hold. The adorable dog on the cover doesn't hurt either. I would read aloud starting with Chapter 4 and that would be enough to hook kids.

Parker's grandma ("Mimi") recently died and left behind a blue sculpture that sits on the family mantelpiece. Parker's older sister Billie goes away to Ireland, and the family throws her a going away party, during which there is an accident with the sculpture.

The next morning, Parker wakes up inside his dog's body. The soul of his dog, Boof, is now inside his body. Humor follows with antics both at school (Boof-in-Parker's body gets sent to the principal repeatedly and bites the school bully on the hand) and home (Boof-in-Parker's body doesn't know how to urinate in the toilet or eat with silverware).

I could have done without the bit of innuendo on page 120. A classmate named Gabi notices Boof-in-Parker's-body getting into trouble more often, and says, "I didn't know you were such a bad boy...why don't you come over and *play* after school today?" This likely goes over many kids' heads, but still, unnecessary. Also one use of "frickin'"

[Katie Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sharing an early copy with #bookexpedition.

Twelve year old Parker is trying to cope with the recent loss of his beloved Mimi. He’s also dealing with stuff at school: a bully who demands his lunch money and a first crush who doesn’t even know he exists. He finds comfort and solace in organizing and cleaning his home.

But then his older sister decides to travel to Ireland for the semester, leaving behind her obnoxiously naughty goldendoodle, Boof, for Parker to take care of.

After an intense tug of war over one of Mimi’s possessions, Boof and Parker bump heads and wake up to find that they’ve switched bodies! Suddenly Boof has to act like a boy, and Parker is supposed to like smelly things and chasing cats. It’s a mess, and about to get a whole lot messier!

Plenty of laugh out loud moments as well as those that touch your heart. A good reminder that seeing something from another set of eyes can help us learn what truly matters.

Publishing soon ~ April 6th!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Parker too many changes: his beloved grandmother died, his sister is going to Ireland on an international study for 3 months and Parker has developed OCD , an insatiable need to clean. Parker is left to care for his sister's big Goldendoodle, Boof. Boof is messy and gets into everything, eats everything and Parker doesn't like him at all. When Boof starts to chew up a memento from his grandma, it's the final straw. They struggle over the item and Parker unconsciously makes a wish that he finds the next morning comes true. He is in the dog's body and the dog is in his body. Boof, in Parkers' body can understand his woofs so they can communicate. Bruce Hale portrays a dog as a boy exceedingly well. I loved this book. Some parts were laugh out loud. It was touching and sweet. Recommended!

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of a boy switching bodies with his dog has been written about many times, but no one does it quite like Bruce Hale. Parker is a twelve-year-old who is coping with the loss of his Mimi with OCD behaviors and is having a hard time handling any kind of disorganization. Enter his sister’s dog, Boof a clumsy, naughty, golden doodle. When the two collide head-on while engaged in a tug a war, something unexpected happens: they switch bodies. What happens next is pure fun! Watching Boof navigate middle school and bullies is the best! And poor Parker. How is he supposed to keep things neat without hands and then there’s also the dog catcher.
My students are going to love this engaging book about learning to let things go and just enjoy life.

[Claudette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce Hale is at it again. This time he mixes his trademark humor, always a success with his audience, with real life tween themes. There are friendships, bullies and crushes. Twelve year old Parker is trying to navigate all these while coping with the death of his beloved grandmother. In addition, his older sister is leaving for a semester abroad. Parker takes solace in obsessive cleaning. Enter Boof, an extremely happy-go-lucky mess of a dog, and Parker's worst nightmare. A tug-of-war results in some head banging and body and soul switch that is both funny and touching. Sometimes you just have to walk in another beings shoes, or paws, to work through problems and learn what is truly matters.

[Dundee Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I liked the adorable dog on the cover. It is a middle grade book, but I enjoyed it. I knew by the title that the dog (Boof) was going to get switched with someone (gloomy boy/Parker)
Boof is not even Parker's dog, but becomes his responsibility when his sister does a semester abroad.
Parker is OCD about things being clean and Boof isn't.
While they try and find a way to reverse the spell, Boof gets a taste of being a sixth grade boy and has to go school. He also finds he loves people food. Parker does not enjoy dog food or going outside to do his business.
I enjoyed reading this and I think middle grade boys and girls would enjoy it and find it funny.

[Courtenay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very clever story about a boy and dog switching bodies and dealing with the consequences of having to "be" the other. The only bump I got in this story was when, halfway through, the reader learns the boy has brown skin. Frankly, it yanked me OUT of the story I'd created in my own mind and really distracted me -- it wasn't relevant to the entirety of the story being told, so that detail could have been better placed early (i.e. first chapter) or omitted entirely. Without it, and no illustrations to indicate otherwise, it can appeal universally to kiddos of all colors and work within their own minds to create whatever color kid the reader wants.

[Misty Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is hard for most 12-year-old boys, but Parker is sure that his life is just a tad bit harder than most. His answer to this situation is to keep life as clean and organized as possible. There are rules that he lives by and never falters. Piece of cake, right??? Nope – his sister’s dog has other plans. Hale spins a lighthearted fun story that encompasses real life situations. The reader navigates through the world he has created and loves and laughs with the characters. This fun read is a must for everyone who thinks they have it all under control!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my last read from the Wyoming Indian Paintbrush nominee list for the 2022-23 school year, which I try to finish before the beginning of each school year so that I can discuss them with kiddos. It was good but I thought it would be much more lighthearted and funny - it's not, really. It is more about a grieving kid with OCD learning to process his grandmother's death, with a ton of Star Wars metaphors (Jabba the Hut's jock strap?) and some cartoonish stereotypes (Mr. Evil Double-Wide bad-guy dog catcher a la Jasper and Horace from 101 Dalmations). Maybe those things are the humor?

[Meredith Jespersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author perfectly portrays the feelings of both 12-year-old Parker and Boof the dog as they spend time in each other’s shoes and have to solve the problem of switching back. Parker is dealing with family loss, school, bullying, and pressure for success and learns lessons on how to adjust during his time as a dog. This is a fun read for middle-schoolers while teaching valuable lessons for everyday life. Once again Bruce Hale has come through with a great read!

[Sarah Hay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parker is a neat freak. He learned to appreciate cleanliness from his late grandmother and after her passing he becomes obsessive about keeping things clean. When his sister drops off her crazy dog so that she can go abroad Parker is not happy to have to share his space with a messy, ill-behaved dog. But, Parker ends up switching bodies with the dog and gains a new perspective on both his life and the life of a dog.
Good for ages 10 and up.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker Pitts hates his sister's dog. When she moves away, the dog is left in his care. One day, during a tug of war, Parker and the dog switch bodies. As the plot continues, both try to live and explore each other's lives and find a way to reverse the switch.

The plot was amusing and informative. I enjoyed the plot through Boof's eyes and got to know a lot about the life of a dog.

[Jennifer Halbur · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a 12 year old boy who cleans obsessively switches places with a less than well trained 🐶 a hilarious read is ahead! Kids if all ages will love this boom! Thanks for sharing an ARC with #bookposse

[Lara (luellabella) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to my seven year old son over a month - chapters were the perfect length to read 1-2 each night. We both enjoyed the story, and the friendship that develops between the two male characters as the story unfolds.

[Marianne McKiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny! This book just begs (see what I did there?) to be made into a movie.

[Brenda Kahn]

This switched-identity story was so much fun! Many of my students love this type of story and I'm so happy to have another to add to Reader's Advisory. I know this won't sit!

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parker is having a rough time and having to take care of his sister's Labradoodle Boof is the last straw. He thinks life can't get any worse . . . until he wakes up one morning in Boof's body!

[Theresa Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story! This is a good length book (243 pages) that students won't be scared to grab. I think students will love this one!

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny!

[Jennisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was delightfully funny while dealing with some difficult topics.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. It was one of a kind, something so different than what I usually read but I loved it! Thank you Bruce! Keep up the good work! 🩵

[Emma Kerley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really funny book but it was very long.

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was honestly cute and silly. I can see lots of kids enjoying this. It was one that I could see being made into a movie or something. Very easy to picture in your mind.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok, but the main character was somewhat unlikable, and much of this was corny.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewer 27
Parker Pitts is struggling with loss. There's the loss of his best friend who moved away, his older sister who is spending a semester in Ireland and the death of his beloved grandma, Mimi. Add to that the perils of 7th grade and Parker has had enough. Why does he have to take care of Boof, his sister's worthless dog? While struggling with Boof over a statue that Mimi cherished, Parker and Boof accidentally switch bodies. Now Parker is struggling with the loss of his own life as a boy. This is so unfair!