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The House Swap: A Heartwarming Tale of Friendship, Family, and Navigating Divorce for Kids
The Parent Trap meets The Holiday in this heartwarming and funny story of two girls, one American and one British, who become friends and confidantes when their families swap houses, from the acclaimed author of Glitter Gets Everywhere.
Allie is British and dreams of being a spy. Sage is an only child from sunny California. They meet when their families swap houses for the summer.
Though they're polar opposites, Allie and Sage quickly realize that they're both dealing with family issues--Sage's parents may be on the brink of divorce, and Allie's struggling to feel heard in her big family. It may take a trip around the world for them to find their place at home.
This sweet and emotional story is told in alternating chapters from each girl's point of view, offering two unique perspectives on family and belonging.
Allie is British and dreams of being a spy. Sage is an only child from sunny California. They meet when their families swap houses for the summer.
Though they're polar opposites, Allie and Sage quickly realize that they're both dealing with family issues--Sage's parents may be on the brink of divorce, and Allie's struggling to feel heard in her big family. It may take a trip around the world for them to find their place at home.
This sweet and emotional story is told in alternating chapters from each girl's point of view, offering two unique perspectives on family and belonging.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 5, 2023
15 people are currently reading
4126 people want to read
About the author
Yvette Clark
2 books90 followersYvette Clark is a Brit by birth and a New Yorker by design. An avid reader, writer, and trampoliner, Yvette lives in Manhattan with her husband, two children, and a blue cat named Beau. She is a Writing 360 mentor @ https://www.girlswritenow.org/
GLITTER GETS EVERYWHERE is her debut novel and is available for pre-order now!
GLITTER GETS EVERYWHERE is her debut novel and is available for pre-order now!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
January 17, 2024
4 stars
When I saw that this middle grade novel was a mix of ‘The Holiday’ and ‘Parent Trap’ I figured it would be a fun read, and it was. It was fun, heartwarming, and I loved both of the girls whose lives we followed. Allie lives in England, Sage in California. Allie is a middle child and Sage is an only child. They wouldn’t seem like the type that would be friends but in an unlikely scenario they meet and become just that. They were there for each other. I enjoyed both of their stories.
When I saw that this middle grade novel was a mix of ‘The Holiday’ and ‘Parent Trap’ I figured it would be a fun read, and it was. It was fun, heartwarming, and I loved both of the girls whose lives we followed. Allie lives in England, Sage in California. Allie is a middle child and Sage is an only child. They wouldn’t seem like the type that would be friends but in an unlikely scenario they meet and become just that. They were there for each other. I enjoyed both of their stories.
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Deva Marie Gregory & Rose Basista
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Middle Grade
Length: 5h 59m
July 12, 2023
✰ 3.75 stars ✰
“The family—that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to. —Dodie Smith”
Yvette Clark wrote one of my favorite reads from last year, so I was really hopeful that The House Swap would have the same magic. And while, there was plenty of heart of family with lovable laughs, it didn't have the same charm that won me over last time. And perhaps, because it hit so well the nail on the chalkboard on how sometimes kids can feel misunderstood and misheard from their parents and vice versa, it still was a lovely, if not frustratingly relatable read.
Allie and Sage may be from opposite sides of the world and may only have a few days before they get to know each other and swap each other's homes, but they do have one thing in common - they want their parents to listen to them - to pay attention to the things that they're trying to say, to not so easily dismiss or disregard their thoughts and feelings on matters that matter to them the most. Whether it's asking them to consider their choices for what family activities they're going to do next, or simply trying to get them to listen how much they want their family to stay together rather than drift apart. That feeling of being ignored and unfortunate misunderstanding was captured perfectly.
“I knew it! Middle child syndrome is officially a thing. I sent my parents an article about it that I found on the Good Parents Make Great Kids website.
They haven’t read it.”
As a middle child, myself, I connected so deeply with Allie - uff, the woes of middle child syndrome know no limits! Being stuck in the middle is no picnic, let me tell you, and Allie was just everything I felt at times when I was young - still, do at times, actually! 😩 She was at odds with her older brother, Matt, never could win against the charms of her baby sister, Willow, and always trying in vain to get her parents to hear her side of the story and just simply try to do things her way. All that and more were parts that resonated so deeply with me and made me empathize with her a lot. 😟😟
“Mom smiles like she doesn’t believe me. I don’t tell her why I’m really carrying this particular crystal around, why it’s the one I always have with me now, and why I’ve hidden small rose quartz crystals around the house, down the side of the sofa, and in their bedroom.”
Sage has her own battles to fight - her parents are drifting apart and resorting to drastic measures to get them to see the light - or at least, listen to her. There was also an interesting back-story to her family being in England, too, which nicely tied in with Allie's own interests. 🩵🩵 I liked that she gained a little more confidence while staying at Allie's house, and even though her methods were extreme, she finally gets the closure she needs, without having to rely on the power of crystals.
“Allie is like a force of nature. She scoops up a problem, makes a snowball solution, rolls it down a mountain, and watches to see if it turns into an avalanche. Well, in this case, she won’t be watching. She’ll be five thousand miles away, but what choice do I have?
I’m tired of doing nothing.”
The writing was fresh and heart-felt - there was a great distinction between the voices of the two girls, and I liked that they had the chance to meet briefly and exchange their feelings and thoughts with each other over the summer. I loved that they became first partners in crime and then friends who understood what the other was going through. 🥺🥺 They both had personalities that were very believable and engaging and there many a moment when I loved their thoughts and reactions to certain things, because it reminded me of how I used to feel at that age. 🩷🩷🩷
“She has dark circles under her eyes, which are red from last night’s silent sob-athon. I’m surprised her mum hasn’t noticed. I guess she’s too busy taking photos of postboxes and sheep. Maybe she has more in common with my parents than I thought. I scowl at her back.
Parents should pay attention.”
What made me upset more was how dismissive the parents were of their kids. I know it was portrayed as such to show that there would be a healthy resolution to it, and I'm not a parent yet, so I don't know how I would behave with my own children, but the times when Sage was trying to get her mother to at least acknowledge her father were really painful to witness, because I wanted to shake the parent and say, 'look, she's trying to say something'. 😭😭 The moments when Allie was trying to get her parents to see that she didn't approve of certain things and didn't want them to ignore her own wishes was also really agonizing, because it was portrayed so realistically well!
But, what the author showed very well was that the parents did have their reasons of their own - correct or not - they're also learning too, that they're not above admitting that they could have handled things differently. And I appreciated that the author resolved a lot of conflicts in a very gentle and forward manner that can be relatable for parents and children alike who have the chance to read this story. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
“The family—that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to. —Dodie Smith”
Yvette Clark wrote one of my favorite reads from last year, so I was really hopeful that The House Swap would have the same magic. And while, there was plenty of heart of family with lovable laughs, it didn't have the same charm that won me over last time. And perhaps, because it hit so well the nail on the chalkboard on how sometimes kids can feel misunderstood and misheard from their parents and vice versa, it still was a lovely, if not frustratingly relatable read.
Allie and Sage may be from opposite sides of the world and may only have a few days before they get to know each other and swap each other's homes, but they do have one thing in common - they want their parents to listen to them - to pay attention to the things that they're trying to say, to not so easily dismiss or disregard their thoughts and feelings on matters that matter to them the most. Whether it's asking them to consider their choices for what family activities they're going to do next, or simply trying to get them to listen how much they want their family to stay together rather than drift apart. That feeling of being ignored and unfortunate misunderstanding was captured perfectly.
“I knew it! Middle child syndrome is officially a thing. I sent my parents an article about it that I found on the Good Parents Make Great Kids website.
They haven’t read it.”
As a middle child, myself, I connected so deeply with Allie - uff, the woes of middle child syndrome know no limits! Being stuck in the middle is no picnic, let me tell you, and Allie was just everything I felt at times when I was young - still, do at times, actually! 😩 She was at odds with her older brother, Matt, never could win against the charms of her baby sister, Willow, and always trying in vain to get her parents to hear her side of the story and just simply try to do things her way. All that and more were parts that resonated so deeply with me and made me empathize with her a lot. 😟😟
“Mom smiles like she doesn’t believe me. I don’t tell her why I’m really carrying this particular crystal around, why it’s the one I always have with me now, and why I’ve hidden small rose quartz crystals around the house, down the side of the sofa, and in their bedroom.”
Sage has her own battles to fight - her parents are drifting apart and resorting to drastic measures to get them to see the light - or at least, listen to her. There was also an interesting back-story to her family being in England, too, which nicely tied in with Allie's own interests. 🩵🩵 I liked that she gained a little more confidence while staying at Allie's house, and even though her methods were extreme, she finally gets the closure she needs, without having to rely on the power of crystals.
“Allie is like a force of nature. She scoops up a problem, makes a snowball solution, rolls it down a mountain, and watches to see if it turns into an avalanche. Well, in this case, she won’t be watching. She’ll be five thousand miles away, but what choice do I have?
I’m tired of doing nothing.”
The writing was fresh and heart-felt - there was a great distinction between the voices of the two girls, and I liked that they had the chance to meet briefly and exchange their feelings and thoughts with each other over the summer. I loved that they became first partners in crime and then friends who understood what the other was going through. 🥺🥺 They both had personalities that were very believable and engaging and there many a moment when I loved their thoughts and reactions to certain things, because it reminded me of how I used to feel at that age. 🩷🩷🩷
“She has dark circles under her eyes, which are red from last night’s silent sob-athon. I’m surprised her mum hasn’t noticed. I guess she’s too busy taking photos of postboxes and sheep. Maybe she has more in common with my parents than I thought. I scowl at her back.
Parents should pay attention.”
What made me upset more was how dismissive the parents were of their kids. I know it was portrayed as such to show that there would be a healthy resolution to it, and I'm not a parent yet, so I don't know how I would behave with my own children, but the times when Sage was trying to get her mother to at least acknowledge her father were really painful to witness, because I wanted to shake the parent and say, 'look, she's trying to say something'. 😭😭 The moments when Allie was trying to get her parents to see that she didn't approve of certain things and didn't want them to ignore her own wishes was also really agonizing, because it was portrayed so realistically well!
But, what the author showed very well was that the parents did have their reasons of their own - correct or not - they're also learning too, that they're not above admitting that they could have handled things differently. And I appreciated that the author resolved a lot of conflicts in a very gentle and forward manner that can be relatable for parents and children alike who have the chance to read this story. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
July 31, 2022
Yvette Clark has done it again! Just as we saw in her debut, GLITTER GETS EVERYWHERE, she is a master of bringing humor and wit to very real and very emotional truths.
Told in alternating POVs between two girls (Ally-- from a small village in England, and Sage, her American counterpart from LA) THE HOUSE SWAP is a fantastic read that swept me away to both England and LA!
While I've seen this book compared to The Parent trap (a movie the book also references) and the Holiday, this is a wholly original take on the trope. Ally's pain of feeling like she's not seen or heard in her loud/busy family is so tenderly depicted it brought me back to my own middle-grade years. Sage's fear of her own family falling apart, and the lengths she's willing to go to to see her parents reunites will resonate with readers of all ages!
If I were to write a listing for this book on VRBO, it might read: Come to THE HOUSE SWAP for the humor, and stay for the heart and honesty!
Thank you to the author and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read the e-arc.
Told in alternating POVs between two girls (Ally-- from a small village in England, and Sage, her American counterpart from LA) THE HOUSE SWAP is a fantastic read that swept me away to both England and LA!
While I've seen this book compared to The Parent trap (a movie the book also references) and the Holiday, this is a wholly original take on the trope. Ally's pain of feeling like she's not seen or heard in her loud/busy family is so tenderly depicted it brought me back to my own middle-grade years. Sage's fear of her own family falling apart, and the lengths she's willing to go to to see her parents reunites will resonate with readers of all ages!
If I were to write a listing for this book on VRBO, it might read: Come to THE HOUSE SWAP for the humor, and stay for the heart and honesty!
Thank you to the author and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read the e-arc.
August 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this sweet middle-grade novel, which I read on a weekend in which i’m trying to kick a nasty cold and virus. It’s the story of two girls whose families swap houses- one in the Oxfordshire countryside of England and the other in Los Angeles. It’s like the Parent Trap and Holiday Swap in a middle grade novel. The two girls are opposites in many ways but they both are struggling with family issues. One is afraid her parents are getting divorced and the other does not feel seen or understood in her large family. The house swap leads to resolution of these issues and greater understanding of themselves. Highly recommend !
August 5, 2022
I loved the sparkling dialogue and character relationships that the author so deftly carries off in The House Swap. You can't help but feel a connection to the two girls who tell the story in alternating POV chapters as they help each other deal with issues from divorce and not feeling like you fit into your own family to a sick dog and a stolen diary. But I think what I loved the most about the book is that it empowers kids (and parents) to have those tough conversations that are crucial to making the messiness of a family work.
July 21, 2022
This wonderful story more than lives up to its clever premise; told in alternating points of view, two girls (one from England, one from California) meet when their parents agree to swap houses for vacation. Allie is obsessed with becoming a spy and constantly annoyed by her two siblings. Sage longs for a sibling to help her sort out the increasing tension between her parents. When fate brings the two girls together, their lives intertwine in ways they never could have imagined. Both points of view are extremely compelling and will resonate with middle grade audiences; this story made me laugh out loud, and I found myself pulling out my box of Kleenex toward the end. I also loved the bit of historical learning the author worked in at the end of the story as well as the clever chapter headings that helped us reorient when we changed points of view. Overall, a great read!
September 15, 2022
This latest middle grade realistic fiction by Yvette Clark (Glitter Gets Everywhere) may not end the happily ever after way that readers hope for, but they will surely be satisfied with the ending when it arrives. Allie and Sage live on different continents and have entirely different personalities, family composition and, more importantly to the plot, family dynamics. ELA teachers—Tremendous compare/contrast and character mapping possible with these two girls. A house swap between the English and Californian families is planned, but due to a sick dog, Allie and her mom must stay for a few extra days and share their home with the visiting Sage and her mom. That puts Allie’s dad, brother and younger sister on the beaches of California leaving Allie blissfully without the conflicts that come with siblings and Sage sadly without her working dad and wondering if her parents are looking to make the separation permanent. A plan to reconcile Sage’s parents develops between the two girls. Relatable sibling rivalry, feelings of middle child invisibility, fears about divorce, only child loneliness and more are woven into a fast-moving plot with some comfortable predictability but enough surprises to keep things fresh and engaging. A highly recommended novel for grades 4-7 from an author who, based on her 1st two works, is likely to become as popular with readers as Barbara O’Connor, Joan Bauer, Cynthia Lord, and Lisa Graff. Representation: main characters are clearly Caucasian but races of other key players is indeterminate by descriptions, families are from diverse economic strata but both have enough money to do some travel, two families have very different experiences with divorce and the third family is very traditional. No profanity, sexual content or violence.
Thanks for sharing a print arc with #BookAllies arc-sharing group, Yvette Clark!
Thanks for sharing a print arc with #BookAllies arc-sharing group, Yvette Clark!
May 17, 2023
This book was so cute! I really liked it! <3
February 7, 2023
One of my favorite feel-good movies meets another of my favorite feel-good movies in a middle grade novel by one of my favorite authors? Yes, please.
THE HOUSE SWAP sings with the signature wit and charm Yvette Clark brought to GLITTER GETS EVERYWHERE. There are unwanted surf lessons as well as lessons learned about friendship and family. Busybody neighbors and beloved pets. Crystals and codebreaking. And two dear and lovingly drawn protagonists who will steal your heart from the beginning. I had the great pleasure of an advanced read of this complete and utter delight of a novel, and I can’t wait for the world to meet Sage and Allie. They will be beloved.
THE HOUSE SWAP sings with the signature wit and charm Yvette Clark brought to GLITTER GETS EVERYWHERE. There are unwanted surf lessons as well as lessons learned about friendship and family. Busybody neighbors and beloved pets. Crystals and codebreaking. And two dear and lovingly drawn protagonists who will steal your heart from the beginning. I had the great pleasure of an advanced read of this complete and utter delight of a novel, and I can’t wait for the world to meet Sage and Allie. They will be beloved.
November 25, 2022
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.
4.5 stars for this fun and engaging story that made me research the possibility of a house swap! The story goes back and forth seamlessly between Allie, from England, and Sage, from California, as the girls swap houses for a vacation, but not without a few bumps! Great conversation starters about friendship, family, and divorce and a fun way to explore California and England from the comfort of your home! A fun add to any classroom library.
4.5 stars for this fun and engaging story that made me research the possibility of a house swap! The story goes back and forth seamlessly between Allie, from England, and Sage, from California, as the girls swap houses for a vacation, but not without a few bumps! Great conversation starters about friendship, family, and divorce and a fun way to explore California and England from the comfort of your home! A fun add to any classroom library.
March 30, 2023
The House Swap is a cozy, charming middle grade book about family (history & secrets), new friendships, and navigating parental divorce. Reminiscent of the beloved movie, The Holiday, this middle grade book is perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good reading experience with a touch of history, family drama, and characters you can root for.
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/the-ho...
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/the-ho...
January 18, 2024
The House Swap
is a middle-grade book, told by two girls whose families are swapping houses for vacation. One lives in England and the other lives in America.
Allie (England) is the middle child and feels her family has overlooked her interests.
Sage (California) is an only child and she feels something is wrong between her parents because just she and her mom are going to England for vacation.
Allie and her mom stay back as the rest of the family heads to America because their dog is unwell. Since they stayed back they get to meet the Americans who will be staying at their house. Before Allie and her mom head to join their family vacation in America the girls hatch a plan to help Sage figure out if her parents are having marital issues or not.
Allie (England) is the middle child and feels her family has overlooked her interests.
Sage (California) is an only child and she feels something is wrong between her parents because just she and her mom are going to England for vacation.
Allie and her mom stay back as the rest of the family heads to America because their dog is unwell. Since they stayed back they get to meet the Americans who will be staying at their house. Before Allie and her mom head to join their family vacation in America the girls hatch a plan to help Sage figure out if her parents are having marital issues or not.
Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Deva Marie Gregory & Rose Basista
Length: 5H 59M
August 8, 2024
The absolute best book I’ve ever read in my life. I have no words to even explain how intriguing this book is. This book shows two girls worlds and how different each one is. Even though the swapping part didn’t go as planned, they still worked together aside from their differences.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
A very cute, Parent Trap-style story about two girls whose families swap houses for a summer vacation. I enjoyed reading this book and it had a sweet ending. I thought the audiobook narrators did an excellent job representing the two girls and their personalities!
August 30, 2022
Sometimes, you have to get away from home in order to truly see what has been there all along. It is summer vacation, and California-born Sage is anxiously attempting to determine what it is her parents are not saying without asking them outright. Meanwhile, English-born Allie feels mostly invisible as the middle child in a family whose siblings seem to command every bit of attention from their parents. When the two families match on a house swapping site, they both get the opportunity to explore a different life halfway around the world. But the house swap does not go as smoothly as originally intended, and instead of the two families simply living in one another’s spaces, their lives become more richly connected with each passing day.
This delightful middle grade story has many similar features to the Parent Trap, where one American girl and one English girl swap lives for a short time. Instead of sharing parents, though, Sage and Allie share feelings of invisibility and insecurity that seem to disappear when they are together. Told from the perspectives of both girls, the story takes turns showing readers what each character is thinking inside their unique circumstances. Each segment clearly demarcates who is speaking by giving both the character’s name and a quote from a book that is important to each of them. These chapters ultimately are short and succinct, as well, which gives the narrative a quick pace and comfortable delivery.
There is no such thing as a perfect life; often, things only seem better until someone takes the time to step into the shoes of another. This narrative does a good job introducing readers to both Allie and Sage as they investigate their new surroundings despite the trepidation they feel while doing so. Additionally, topics of divorce and sibling rivalry are discussed in ways that tweens will easily relate to. By incorporating these elements, the novel feels more real and the characters are more approachable than they might otherwise be. Fans of stories that focus on friendship, family, and emotional growth are sure to enjoy both the pacing and the delivery of this charming tale. This is an excellent addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
This delightful middle grade story has many similar features to the Parent Trap, where one American girl and one English girl swap lives for a short time. Instead of sharing parents, though, Sage and Allie share feelings of invisibility and insecurity that seem to disappear when they are together. Told from the perspectives of both girls, the story takes turns showing readers what each character is thinking inside their unique circumstances. Each segment clearly demarcates who is speaking by giving both the character’s name and a quote from a book that is important to each of them. These chapters ultimately are short and succinct, as well, which gives the narrative a quick pace and comfortable delivery.
There is no such thing as a perfect life; often, things only seem better until someone takes the time to step into the shoes of another. This narrative does a good job introducing readers to both Allie and Sage as they investigate their new surroundings despite the trepidation they feel while doing so. Additionally, topics of divorce and sibling rivalry are discussed in ways that tweens will easily relate to. By incorporating these elements, the novel feels more real and the characters are more approachable than they might otherwise be. Fans of stories that focus on friendship, family, and emotional growth are sure to enjoy both the pacing and the delivery of this charming tale. This is an excellent addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
November 25, 2022
Middle grade contemporary realistic fiction. This book was so much fun-- family drama, cross cultural travel and interactions, and even chickens! An English family did a house swap with an American family from California. The English family consists of Allie, her parents, her older brother Max, younger sister Willow, their Newfoundland dog named Bear, and three hens. The American family is Sage, her cat Pandora, and her parents, though her father is traveling for work and not joining the family in England. When Bear gets sick, Allie and her mother stay home a little longer while the rest of the family heads to California. Allie and Sage are initially not too sure what to make of each other, but soon become friends. Allie is interested in spies and does things like fingerprint her siblings. So when they hear Sage's mom say something, Allie is determined to get to the bottom of it. They devise a Parent Trap style plan to get Sage's dad to England. But Allie has to leave before the plan goes into action. Is Sage brave enough to carry it out on her own?
I found so much of this story true to life-- the popular mean girl next door, the sibling drama, the parenting struggle to give each kid what they need. I loved seeing Sage and her mom adjust to the small English village (her lactose intolerance was big news-- what is this almond milk?). The bulk of the time in California was spent at surf camp, but it was still interesting to see Allie's reactions to the modern house that Sage was used to.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review a digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found so much of this story true to life-- the popular mean girl next door, the sibling drama, the parenting struggle to give each kid what they need. I loved seeing Sage and her mom adjust to the small English village (her lactose intolerance was big news-- what is this almond milk?). The bulk of the time in California was spent at surf camp, but it was still interesting to see Allie's reactions to the modern house that Sage was used to.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review a digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2022
Two girls from two different continents, each trying to cope. Sage is fairly well off, an only child from California, she finds herself, on short notice, in a cottage in the Cottswolds in England with a painful suspicion weighing on her mind. Are her parents about to separate? Maybe even divorce? On the other hand, Allie the girl who lives in the cottage, tries to meet the expectations that every middle child has to deal with. She’s not as good, athletic as her older brother and not as cute as her little sister. She just doesn’t seem to fit in. And all she really would like to do is become a spy. Through some clever scene setting the two girls are together for a couple of days. Long enough for Allie to set the wheels moving so that Sage can prevent the devastation she is sure awaits her. The book is heartfelt, funny at times and often poignant. I was charmed by Clark’s Glitter Gets Everywhere and The House Swap did not disappoint. What a lovely read.
March 5, 2023
This book brought smile after smile to my face. It’s full of clever dialogue, amusing observations, relatable moments, and creative plotting. Yvette Clark moves seamlessly between her two equally-endearing, clearly-different characters, and this book is just so fun and charming while also tackling emotionally-difficult topics like divorce and competition between siblings that will be top of mind for many readers. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Thanks for the author and publisher for access to an advance copy.
Thanks for the author and publisher for access to an advance copy.
September 29, 2022
This book will make a great addition to school library collections. Is it possible to make a friend when you swap houses with her family for vacation? The House Swap is told from the alternating viewpoints of Allie, a girl from England and Sage, a girl from California. At first glance, they don't seem to have much in common but throughout their vacations they both end up helping the other. Sometimes having hard conversations can make a positive difference in our lives. This story is relatable and I think readers will also enjoy learning about crystals and code-breaking!
September 15, 2022
This delightful coming of age story features two girls, Allie and Sage, who could scarcely be farther apart – in personality, family style and geography, too. But summer plans and a little luck bring them together just long enough to set a plan in motion to change - hopefully - everything.
Told in dual POV, Yvette Clark’s smart writing and wry humor shine through as two girls try to find their place in family and in life.
Told in dual POV, Yvette Clark’s smart writing and wry humor shine through as two girls try to find their place in family and in life.
August 19, 2022
An absolutely fun premise (all the vibes of Parent Trap meets The Holiday) that is expertly crafted. The characters are engaging, and the plot unfolds naturally. I enjoyed this book immensely and know my students will too.
November 8, 2022
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This author has done it again with such a fun story that middle grade readers are going to enjoy! I loved these girls, their families, and their friendship.
This author has done it again with such a fun story that middle grade readers are going to enjoy! I loved these girls, their families, and their friendship.
June 21, 2025
This was delightful. Allie has made her way onto my list of favourite children's book characters. Sage is less interesting--the poor girl needs to grow a backbone--but not to a point that it detracts from the story. Their absolutely insane plan is the sort of absurdity only a pair of eleven year olds could come up with and it goes exactly as well as you'd expect.
I'm less enamoured with the families surrounding Allie and Sage, though they manage to redeem themselves in the end. Allie's family, in particular, though, is rough to read about until the last couple of chapters. As an adult, I can understand her parents' perspective, but I can also fundamentally disagree with their parenting decisions on a level I wouldn't have been able to as a child. In that way, I think they'd possibly be more sympathetic to readers of the intended age group than they are to adults.
The writing was fun and age appropriate without talking down to kids, which is a nice change from most middle-grade books. Both Allie and Sage were written in a perfect balance of childish fantasy (seriously, no one over the age of 14 would think their idea was a good one) and early tween awkwardness. Middle grade is a hard age to write, but Clark pulled it off great.
The main thing keeping it from being rated higher is that the pacing feels a bit off. It's slow through about the first 2/3, then everything happens at once in the final third. I would've liked the final third to have been drawn out a bit more, both to increase the tension and because as it is it feels like Clark was reaching her max word count and just raced through instead of editing for balance.
I also take a bit of issue with Sage's parents in the end , but not enough to drop a star. It's the sort of difference of opinion that reasonable people can agree to disagree about. The pacing was the bigger problem.
I'm less enamoured with the families surrounding Allie and Sage, though they manage to redeem themselves in the end. Allie's family, in particular, though, is rough to read about until the last couple of chapters. As an adult, I can understand her parents' perspective, but I can also fundamentally disagree with their parenting decisions on a level I wouldn't have been able to as a child. In that way, I think they'd possibly be more sympathetic to readers of the intended age group than they are to adults.
The writing was fun and age appropriate without talking down to kids, which is a nice change from most middle-grade books. Both Allie and Sage were written in a perfect balance of childish fantasy (seriously, no one over the age of 14 would think their idea was a good one) and early tween awkwardness. Middle grade is a hard age to write, but Clark pulled it off great.
The main thing keeping it from being rated higher is that the pacing feels a bit off. It's slow through about the first 2/3, then everything happens at once in the final third. I would've liked the final third to have been drawn out a bit more, both to increase the tension and because as it is it feels like Clark was reaching her max word count and just raced through instead of editing for balance.
I also take a bit of issue with Sage's parents in the end , but not enough to drop a star. It's the sort of difference of opinion that reasonable people can agree to disagree about. The pacing was the bigger problem.
February 25, 2023
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
3.5 stars = Good+
This is a fun family and friendship story. I liked how the author set things up so that the two girls could become friends in addition to the house swap. It gives a satisfying connection to the girls and the families. Both families experience conflict and growth, as do the two main characters. There are some good discussion/reflection topics covered here - this could be a good read aloud or a book group selection. (One of the girls is into crystals.)
3.5 stars = Good+
This is a fun family and friendship story. I liked how the author set things up so that the two girls could become friends in addition to the house swap. It gives a satisfying connection to the girls and the families. Both families experience conflict and growth, as do the two main characters. There are some good discussion/reflection topics covered here - this could be a good read aloud or a book group selection. (One of the girls is into crystals.)
March 16, 2023
5 stars. Another perfect book for tweens! What could go wrong when 2 families decide to have a house swap summer vacation? Love the settings, coding tie in with Bletchley Park, very realistic sets of parents, hilarious surfing lessons including peed in wetsuits! Up to date since the king now sends a telegram on your 100th birthday. Loved the author’s first book Glitter Gets Everywhere and this one is just as good. Love the cover art!
April 11, 2023
Probably more 3.5 but bumping it up for making me laugh out loud at times. 😄
May 9, 2023
This was a delight. From Night Owl to Dogfish vibes. I laughed and cried.
August 19, 2023
A combo of The Holiday, The Parent Trap, and The Treehouse War. A solid middle grade read worth recommending
January 19, 2024
So cute! Great middle grade book :)
July 3, 2023
The house swap was in my opinion amazing. Every chapter had me on the edge of my seat. During when Max was hurt I was feeling like Allie I was worried about him (though I didn't run). This is a great book and I would recommend it for tween readers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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