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Freaky Monday
Hadley is pretty much the model student: straight As, perfect attendance, front row in class. So what if she's overstressed and overscheduled: She's got school covered. (Life—not so much.) Ms. Pitt is the kind of teacher who wants you to call her by her first name and puts all the chairs in a circle and tells her students to feel their book reports. Hadley wishes Ms. Pitt would stick to her lesson plan. Ms. Pitt wishes Hadley would lighten up. So when Hadley and Ms. Pitt find themselves switched into each other's bodies, the first thing they want to do is switch right back. It takes a family crisis, a baffled principal, and a (double) first kiss to help them figure out that change can be pretty enlightening. Even if it is a little freaky!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2009
36 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Mary Rodgers
39 books66 followersMary Rodgers was an accomplished author, screenwriter and composer. Her first book--Freaky Friday--won several prizes, and was cited on the ALA Notable Book list. She composed many musicals, and had also amassed credits in television and radio. She had served as Chairman of the Board of the Julliard School and on the Board of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 1, 2009
Pretty big disappointment. The pop culture references and slang are going to date it in a year, the plot was a poor mimic of the original, characterization was awful (the teacher was especially inconsistent), and it was just all over lackluster. With a few flashes of fun, but they were overshadowed by the squickiness of the weird teacher/student things that kept popping up. Hadley isn't nearly as interesting as Annabel still is all these decades later.
July 7, 2009
Reviewed by Samantha Clanton, aka "Harlequin Twilight" for TeensReadToo.com
Thirteen-year-old Hadley Fox (I so love her name!) is not your average eighth grader. She has a 4.3 GPA (I know, makes me feel terrible for my grades in school!), studies like crazy, and constantly has her nose in a book. Hadley, even at 13, strives for Stanford as her college destination, but the one thing she also strives to do is become her gorgeous, loved-by-everyone older sister, Tatum.
Matters turn horrifying for Hadley when she forgets to write down an assignment in her "Super Student Planner Plus" and her whole world seems to collapse around her. Said assignment is an oral report for none other than Tatum's favorite teacher, Ms. Pitt; the hippie, eccentric, over-involved teacher who prefers to be called Carol that Hadley can't stand.
As Ms. Pitt makes Hadley try to wing her report and allows her a change in topic, something happens. In the Freaky Friday, Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis fashion, they finish a sentence together, the room shakes (which only they feel), and then they are transformed.
This couldn't happen on any worse of a day for either of the two protagonists since today is the first time in months Hadley's crush has spoken to her, and there is the first I-Hate-Mondays DANCE! As for Ms. Pitt (yes, I too can't help but giggle), it is her meeting with the school board to become the head of the English department.
Things seem to run amok between both character's lives from family, to love, to even careers, and not quite as smoothly as either would hope. You should also note that there are more correlations between this book and the Freaky Friday movie than there were between the FREAKY FRIDAY book and movie versions, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in this case.
I was amused from start to finish because of Hadley from her description of Tatum, which includes this little nugget, "In movies, brunette is code for "friend" and blonde translates to "girlfriend." But this movie logic isn't my reality." And that's just the beginning. We see movies and bands that most will probably notice, and bands that were totally made up (Sketched-Out Boy for example), but either way this is a quick, adorable, and quite amusing read. And it also reminds you that teachers have feelings, lives, and, most of the time, they do actually care.
Anyone that is still in school, or even those out of school, should totally read this story. Surprisingly, Hadley, Ms. Pitt, Tatum, and even the more minor characters can teach you something that you probably wouldn't have thought about before, and I mean that in a good way.
Thirteen-year-old Hadley Fox (I so love her name!) is not your average eighth grader. She has a 4.3 GPA (I know, makes me feel terrible for my grades in school!), studies like crazy, and constantly has her nose in a book. Hadley, even at 13, strives for Stanford as her college destination, but the one thing she also strives to do is become her gorgeous, loved-by-everyone older sister, Tatum.
Matters turn horrifying for Hadley when she forgets to write down an assignment in her "Super Student Planner Plus" and her whole world seems to collapse around her. Said assignment is an oral report for none other than Tatum's favorite teacher, Ms. Pitt; the hippie, eccentric, over-involved teacher who prefers to be called Carol that Hadley can't stand.
As Ms. Pitt makes Hadley try to wing her report and allows her a change in topic, something happens. In the Freaky Friday, Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis fashion, they finish a sentence together, the room shakes (which only they feel), and then they are transformed.
This couldn't happen on any worse of a day for either of the two protagonists since today is the first time in months Hadley's crush has spoken to her, and there is the first I-Hate-Mondays DANCE! As for Ms. Pitt (yes, I too can't help but giggle), it is her meeting with the school board to become the head of the English department.
Things seem to run amok between both character's lives from family, to love, to even careers, and not quite as smoothly as either would hope. You should also note that there are more correlations between this book and the Freaky Friday movie than there were between the FREAKY FRIDAY book and movie versions, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in this case.
I was amused from start to finish because of Hadley from her description of Tatum, which includes this little nugget, "In movies, brunette is code for "friend" and blonde translates to "girlfriend." But this movie logic isn't my reality." And that's just the beginning. We see movies and bands that most will probably notice, and bands that were totally made up (Sketched-Out Boy for example), but either way this is a quick, adorable, and quite amusing read. And it also reminds you that teachers have feelings, lives, and, most of the time, they do actually care.
Anyone that is still in school, or even those out of school, should totally read this story. Surprisingly, Hadley, Ms. Pitt, Tatum, and even the more minor characters can teach you something that you probably wouldn't have thought about before, and I mean that in a good way.
August 10, 2009
More like *Awkward* Monday. Two characters switch bodies unintentionally - but it doesn't seem like they have enough connection beforehand to make the switch anything more than odd. ANY two people could have their bodies switched in order to create a strange story, but _Freaky Friday_ was great because the characters already had a relationship, for better or worse; the characters' perspectives and feelings about the other had a lot of room to stretch, deepen, and improve as Anna[bel:] and her mother learn more about what the other's life is really like. In _Awkward Monday_, the two characters' lives aren't very connected, and so the story is just weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2022
I adore the book Freaky Friday (watch the Jodie Foster film if you must, written by Rodgers, but avoid the dreadful updated Lohan/Curtis version.) A Billion for Boris by Rodgers is also fun; by the time Summer Switch came around the gimmick was wearing thin, but it was OK.
This latest "homage" (ripoff) of the body-switch theme was completely unreadable. It did not sound like Mary Rodgers at all - more like the screenwriter who did the bad Lohan version using the gimmick to make a few bucks. How Mary Rodgers allowed her name to be attached to this is a wonder. I would give it zero stars, if possible. AVOID, and stick to the previous adventures of Annabel Andrews instead.
This latest "homage" (ripoff) of the body-switch theme was completely unreadable. It did not sound like Mary Rodgers at all - more like the screenwriter who did the bad Lohan version using the gimmick to make a few bucks. How Mary Rodgers allowed her name to be attached to this is a wonder. I would give it zero stars, if possible. AVOID, and stick to the previous adventures of Annabel Andrews instead.
February 17, 2009
Aww. It's fluffy and a bit bizarre with the contemporary lingo and pop culture references, but it's good-hearted fluff. I'm far more fascinated by the fact that the cover features a girl balancing Westerfeld's "Midnighters" on her head. Seems unexpectedly meaningful for such a silly little book.
January 11, 2018
Freaky Monday
I enjoyed the book Freaky Monday. My favorite part of the book was when Hadley and Ms. Pitts switched bodies and they panic because they don't know how they've switched bodies. I really enjoyed the conversations in the book they were very well written with detail. The one thing I would change would be the personalities of the characters; Hadley, Soup and Ms. Pitts. The book was very detailed and I loved how the authors related it to teens today in our society; for example, Hadley doesn't really enjoy her name in the beginning and says “it's certainly not Jessica of Jennifer which would have made me instantly more popular”. I like how Hadley states that her name is like the name of a car company. I think the theme of this book would be silliness and having fun. Hadley is really not popular but she still has friends. When I first started reading the book I wasn't really intrigued, but once I read the back I was so very excited to read it. I really enjoyed it’s detail with the teacher lounge when Hadley is as Ms. Pitt.
I enjoyed the book Freaky Monday. My favorite part of the book was when Hadley and Ms. Pitts switched bodies and they panic because they don't know how they've switched bodies. I really enjoyed the conversations in the book they were very well written with detail. The one thing I would change would be the personalities of the characters; Hadley, Soup and Ms. Pitts. The book was very detailed and I loved how the authors related it to teens today in our society; for example, Hadley doesn't really enjoy her name in the beginning and says “it's certainly not Jessica of Jennifer which would have made me instantly more popular”. I like how Hadley states that her name is like the name of a car company. I think the theme of this book would be silliness and having fun. Hadley is really not popular but she still has friends. When I first started reading the book I wasn't really intrigued, but once I read the back I was so very excited to read it. I really enjoyed it’s detail with the teacher lounge when Hadley is as Ms. Pitt.
May 23, 2021
Rodgers belatedly follows up her successful Freaky Friday story concept when thirteen-year-old academically stressed Hadley Fox switches bodies with her self-help earth friendly teacher Ms. Pitt. The plot is filled with predictable hazards and an even more predictable ending. Although the dating focus is a bit mature for targeted readers they will nonetheless enjoy the hi-jinxs and hip dialogue presented in easy to read short chapters.
September 10, 2025
[Audiobook version]
I don’t have anything good to say about this version of the body-switching trope. 13-year-old Hadley and her English teacher live as one another for a day. They learn stuff. They go back to their own bodies. The characters are not likable. The “funny” parts are excruciating. The necessary light touch was not there.
It may be time for me to return to the grownup section of the library.
I don’t have anything good to say about this version of the body-switching trope. 13-year-old Hadley and her English teacher live as one another for a day. They learn stuff. They go back to their own bodies. The characters are not likable. The “funny” parts are excruciating. The necessary light touch was not there.
It may be time for me to return to the grownup section of the library.
August 16, 2023
I thought I was borrowing Freaky Friday which is on the Gilmore Girls reading list but I got this instead and decided to finish it. There seem to be several cultural references which will date this book but it still was a fun quick read. The main character uses a ton of slang and has a rambling gossipy tone. I think MS readers would enjoy this easy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2018
A very modern take on the 'freaky body switch' concept, there's an original take here when a student and teacher switch bodies and experience a few of life's firsts in the process.
November 11, 2020
Just the fun, magical, lighthearted thing I needed in my life. Far better than the first book in my opinion. If you liked the Freaky Friday movies you'll like this.
Read
April 23, 2021Read. Not reviewed.
June 18, 2023
A copy of freaky friday…
May 1, 2024
Well written body swap story about a 13 year old switching with her teacher. Bit of a silly "moral" but well written, relatable characters and a fun story.
December 3, 2009
Thirteen-year-old Hadley Fox (I so love her name!) is not your average eighth grader. She has a 4.3 GPA (I know, makes me feel terrible for my grades in school!), studies like crazy, and constantly has her nose in a book. Hadley, even at 13, strives for Stanford as her college destination, but the one thing she also strives to do is become her gorgeous, loved-by-everyone older sister, Tatum.
Matters turn horrifying for Hadley when she forgets to write down an assignment in her “Super Student Planner Plus” and her whole world seems to collapse around her. Said assignment is an oral report for none other than Tatum’s favorite teacher, Ms. Pitt; the hippie, eccentric, over-involved teacher who prefers to be called Carol that Hadley can’t stand.
As Ms. Pitt makes Hadley try to wing her report and allows her a change in topic, something happens. In the Freaky Friday, Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis fashion, they finish a sentence together, the room shakes (which only they feel), and then they are transformed.
This couldn’t happen on any worse of a day for either of the two protagonists since today is the first time in months Hadley’s crush has spoken to her, and there is the first I-Hate-Mondays DANCE! As for Ms. Pitt (yes, I too can’t help but giggle), it is her meeting with the school board to become the head of the English department.
Things seem to run amok between both character’s lives from family, to love, to even careers, and not quite as smoothly as either would hope. You should also note that there are more correlations between this book and the Freaky Friday movie than there were between the Freaky Friday book and movie versions, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing in this case.
I was amused from start to finish because of Hadley from her description of Tatum, which includes this little nugget, “In movies, brunette is code for “friend” and blonde translates to “girlfriend.” But this movie logic isn’t my reality.” And that’s just the beginning. We see movies and bands that most will probably notice, and bands that were totally made up (Sketched-Out Boy for example), but either way this is a quick, adorable, and quite amusing read. And it also reminds you that teachers have feelings, lives, and, most of the time, they do actually care.
Anyone that is still in school, or even those out of school, should totally read this story. Surprisingly, Hadley, Ms. Pitt, Tatum, and even the more minor characters can teach you something that you probably wouldn’t have thought about before, and I mean that in a good way.
Matters turn horrifying for Hadley when she forgets to write down an assignment in her “Super Student Planner Plus” and her whole world seems to collapse around her. Said assignment is an oral report for none other than Tatum’s favorite teacher, Ms. Pitt; the hippie, eccentric, over-involved teacher who prefers to be called Carol that Hadley can’t stand.
As Ms. Pitt makes Hadley try to wing her report and allows her a change in topic, something happens. In the Freaky Friday, Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis fashion, they finish a sentence together, the room shakes (which only they feel), and then they are transformed.
This couldn’t happen on any worse of a day for either of the two protagonists since today is the first time in months Hadley’s crush has spoken to her, and there is the first I-Hate-Mondays DANCE! As for Ms. Pitt (yes, I too can’t help but giggle), it is her meeting with the school board to become the head of the English department.
Things seem to run amok between both character’s lives from family, to love, to even careers, and not quite as smoothly as either would hope. You should also note that there are more correlations between this book and the Freaky Friday movie than there were between the Freaky Friday book and movie versions, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing in this case.
I was amused from start to finish because of Hadley from her description of Tatum, which includes this little nugget, “In movies, brunette is code for “friend” and blonde translates to “girlfriend.” But this movie logic isn’t my reality.” And that’s just the beginning. We see movies and bands that most will probably notice, and bands that were totally made up (Sketched-Out Boy for example), but either way this is a quick, adorable, and quite amusing read. And it also reminds you that teachers have feelings, lives, and, most of the time, they do actually care.
Anyone that is still in school, or even those out of school, should totally read this story. Surprisingly, Hadley, Ms. Pitt, Tatum, and even the more minor characters can teach you something that you probably wouldn’t have thought about before, and I mean that in a good way.
April 29, 2009
In this pseudo-sequel to the classic FREAKY FRIDAY, it's Monday the 16th, the Monday after Friday the 13th, and freaky things are bound to happen.
Hadley is a tightly wound over-studying girl who is cast in her gorgeous older sister's shadow. Ms. Pitt is a flower-power, peace, love, and joy woman. When the two switch places by reading a quote from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at the same time, they're going to learn about each other and about themselves, too.
Heather Hach wrote the screenplay for the 2003 remake of the original movie, while Mary Rodgers wrote the original novel some forty years ago. How much either of them contributed I do not know, but I get the feeling that Rodgers' name is on the book more for copyright reasons than actual contributions.
The book is a goofy attempt to play off the original's perennial popularity, and while not dazzling, it is certainly readable. Definitely for middle grade readers, FREAKY MONDAY is worth looking at simply for its pre-sold audience.
2 Quality, 4 Popularity
Hadley is a tightly wound over-studying girl who is cast in her gorgeous older sister's shadow. Ms. Pitt is a flower-power, peace, love, and joy woman. When the two switch places by reading a quote from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at the same time, they're going to learn about each other and about themselves, too.
Heather Hach wrote the screenplay for the 2003 remake of the original movie, while Mary Rodgers wrote the original novel some forty years ago. How much either of them contributed I do not know, but I get the feeling that Rodgers' name is on the book more for copyright reasons than actual contributions.
The book is a goofy attempt to play off the original's perennial popularity, and while not dazzling, it is certainly readable. Definitely for middle grade readers, FREAKY MONDAY is worth looking at simply for its pre-sold audience.
2 Quality, 4 Popularity
May 21, 2009
Hadley is a middle school student obsessed w/perfection when it comes to academics. Ms. Pitt is a free-flowing, anti-standardized test, organic, crunchy English teacher. They couldn't be more different. So when they have to switch bodies, chaos ensues. Freaky Friday was one of my favorite books as a kid (and Summer Switch), so I was eager to read this one.
I'm a bit bothered by the second author listed on the cover (but again, not listed by goodreads). Heather Hach is a screenwriter who wrote the script for the most recent movie version of Freaky Friday w/Lindsay Lohan. The fact that she collaborated w/original FF author Mary Rodgers to write this book just screams "movie sequel on the way!!!" ugh. Parts of the book even read like a silly teen flick, lines that might work ok in a movie (b/c that's what you expect), but read "lame" on paper. The interaction b/w Ms. Pitt (really teenage Hadley in her body) and the school board was the worst part. Seriously cringe-worthy.
I can see the book still attracting an audience and I'll definitely still recommend it to certain kids.
I'm a bit bothered by the second author listed on the cover (but again, not listed by goodreads). Heather Hach is a screenwriter who wrote the script for the most recent movie version of Freaky Friday w/Lindsay Lohan. The fact that she collaborated w/original FF author Mary Rodgers to write this book just screams "movie sequel on the way!!!" ugh. Parts of the book even read like a silly teen flick, lines that might work ok in a movie (b/c that's what you expect), but read "lame" on paper. The interaction b/w Ms. Pitt (really teenage Hadley in her body) and the school board was the worst part. Seriously cringe-worthy.
I can see the book still attracting an audience and I'll definitely still recommend it to certain kids.
January 24, 2011
Recommended Ages: grades 4-7
Hadley is pretty much the model student: straight As, perfect attendance, front row in class. So what if she's overstressed and overscheduled: She's got school covered. (Life—not so much.)
Ms. Pitt is the kind of teacher who wants you to call her by her first name and puts all the chairs in a circle and tells her students to feel their book reports.
Hadley wishes Ms. Pitt would stick to her lesson plan. Ms. Pitt wishes Hadley would lighten up.
So when Hadley and Ms. Pitt find themselves switched into each other's bodies, the first thing they want to do is switch right back. It takes a family crisis, a baffled principal, and a (double) first kiss to help them figure out that change can be pretty enlightening.
Even if it is a little freaky!
Hadley is pretty much the model student: straight As, perfect attendance, front row in class. So what if she's overstressed and overscheduled: She's got school covered. (Life—not so much.)
Ms. Pitt is the kind of teacher who wants you to call her by her first name and puts all the chairs in a circle and tells her students to feel their book reports.
Hadley wishes Ms. Pitt would stick to her lesson plan. Ms. Pitt wishes Hadley would lighten up.
So when Hadley and Ms. Pitt find themselves switched into each other's bodies, the first thing they want to do is switch right back. It takes a family crisis, a baffled principal, and a (double) first kiss to help them figure out that change can be pretty enlightening.
Even if it is a little freaky!
October 2, 2013
Freaky Monday By Mary Rodgers and Heather Hach
Freaky Monday is about a girl named Hadley. Hadley is the kind of girl who wants to study, study and study, its all about the work. Ms. Pitt is the kind of English teacher who wants you to understand the reports not just for the facts, for life and she's the kind of teacher that wants you to call her by her first name. So when Hadley forgets her presentation on How to Kill A Mockingbird, that's when things get freaky… Like lets say switching bodies with Ms. Pitt! Will Hadley ever switch back?
I really enjoyed this book because it was funny, as an example could YOU imagine getting stuck in your English teachers body? I have to say Mary Rodgers and Heather Hach did an awesome job.
I recommend this to tween readers and up.
Freaky Monday is about a girl named Hadley. Hadley is the kind of girl who wants to study, study and study, its all about the work. Ms. Pitt is the kind of English teacher who wants you to understand the reports not just for the facts, for life and she's the kind of teacher that wants you to call her by her first name. So when Hadley forgets her presentation on How to Kill A Mockingbird, that's when things get freaky… Like lets say switching bodies with Ms. Pitt! Will Hadley ever switch back?
I really enjoyed this book because it was funny, as an example could YOU imagine getting stuck in your English teachers body? I have to say Mary Rodgers and Heather Hach did an awesome job.
I recommend this to tween readers and up.
March 23, 2009
This is a great book for 9-12 year olds. My son started reading it a couple of days ago and I basically did not see his nose until he finished it. I can tell a particular book is not captivating his attention when he starts "cheating" on it by beginning several other books at the same time. No cheating with this one.
His review:
This book is about a teacher and a student switching bodies. It was a very good book. It was funny, interesting, and I liked it very much! I definately recommend this book.
His review:
This book is about a teacher and a student switching bodies. It was a very good book. It was funny, interesting, and I liked it very much! I definately recommend this book.
June 30, 2009
this book was OK. I was surprised to learn that it was actually written by the women (Mary Rodgers) who wrote the original freaky Friday book. It had some funny moments. But mostly it was just average. They had the whole oh they switch because they say this one line together but you know it really was just average.
February 22, 2011
I like this book. It is around the same story line as Freaky Friday. Its about a girl who gets stuck in her teachers body. It is quite humerus. This is a book one could read over and over again. It also encourages you to imagine if this happened to you. This is overall an interesting book.
Melissa
Melissa
August 11, 2009
It was alright, but it definitely pales in comparison to the original. The references in this one could date it (they dance to "Truly Madly Deeply" by Savage Garden at the "I Hate Monday" dance--isn't that from, like, 2000?).
September 11, 2009
nice story...not just an update on freaky friday and not a continuation of the freaky friday storyline...will be a nice stoyr for those who have seen the new remake of the movie with jamie lee curtis and lindsay lohan
August 15, 2013
One and a half stars. The authors tried too hard with this version of Freaky Friday. The original is so dated, so they tried to make this one feel current, and I really didn't like the results. However, the main characters do learn life lessons.
March 19, 2009
Advance Reader Copy
A fun and quick read with lots of action and a fast moving story. Lots of humor, lessons on walking in someone else's shoes, and even a little romance.
A fun and quick read with lots of action and a fast moving story. Lots of humor, lessons on walking in someone else's shoes, and even a little romance.
November 19, 2009
I so hate that girl she has the same shoes as me, but I still like this book even though the girl has the same shoes. It's pretty good and it copies the movie freaky Friday.
February 19, 2010
I didn't like this book that much.
Want to read
February 21, 2010 its really good but it has one bad word
March 7, 2010
I love this book!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews