Switch

by Tish Cohen

Careful. Some wishes do come true.

When you have 37 siblings, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. Andrea Birch feels totally ignored by her parents even though she’s their only biological child. The constant revolving door at her house full of foster kids can be cool sometimes, but really it just makes Andrea sad.

Still there’s one thing—one hot person—who makes Andrea Will Sherwood.

Only he’s dating Joules Adams…the girl with the perfect life. She’s got the perfect body, the perfect clothes, and she’s the daughter of a famous rock star.

Andrea would give anything to switch places with Joules.

But when her wish comes true, Andrea’s new life isn’t dream scenario she envisioned. In fact, it turns out to be the one wish she didn’t want to come true. Will she ever be able to switch back?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Canada, Contemporary, Supernatural, Fiction, Teen

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2011

About the author

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Anais Nin quote from Oprah's website inspired Tish Cohen to write her first adult novel.

Tish Cohen is the author of TOWN HOUSE, a 2008 finalist for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize – Best First Book Award (Canada and Caribbean region), and in development as a feature film with Fox 2000. Ridley Scott’s Scott Free is producing and John Carney, the award-winning, critically acclaimed director of ONCE is directing. TOWN HOUSE was released to massive media interest in Canada and has been published in Italy and will soon be released in Germany.

Cohen has also written the middle-grade novels THE INVISIBLE RULES OF ZOE LAMA, and its sequel THE ONE AND ONLY ZOE LAMA

Cohen has contributed articles to some of Canada’s largest newspapers, including The Globe and Mail and The National Post. Having grown up in Los Angeles, Orange County and Montreal, Cohen now calls Toronto home. INSIDE OUT GIRL is Cohen’s second novel for adults.

Reviews

[Liz at Midnight Bloom Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever heard that saying, "Be careful what you wish for..."? I'm sure you have. It's the immediate tagline that entered my head the first time I heard about Switch, the latest YA novel by Canadian author Tish Cohen. We've all had the time when we wished we could switch lives with someone else... and that's exactly what happens in Switch when Andrea and Joules, two very different teenage girls, switch bodies (thanks to a rather unexpected source!) after wishing to be each other.

Andrea really did draw me to her side right away. I could understand her frustrations with her parents for their lack of attention in a household filled with many foster children and one in which she has always been expected to lend a helping hand without very much time (or attention!) for herself. I felt really bad for her, and it was easy to see why she would wish to be Joules, the beautiful daughter of a rock star and girlfriend of Andrea's longtime crush, Will. So when she switches bodies with Joules, you'd think she was catching a break, but Joules' life is less than perfect too and it's only with some time that Andrea will realize just how lucky she's been all along...

The novel is told solely through Andrea's point of view, but a part of myself was definitely curious to see how the perspective would have changed if we had the chance to view some of the events through Joules' shoes. My first impression of her was a teenage girl who was used to getting everything she wanted but she did eventually show some depth in her personality. I would have loved to have seen how her personal thoughts compared to how she carried herself around others. Don't get me wrong, Andrea's narration perfectly pulls off the novel... but I think seeing the effects of the switch on Joules through her point of view could have been great too.

The only other novel I've read by Tish Cohen is Little Black Lies but I would definitely say I enjoyed Switch a whole lot more. It was nice to see Andrea grow as a character as she gained an appreciation for her own life and family. Heartwarming and full of laugh out loud moments, yet still touching on more serious topics, Switch will prove to be a wonderful contemporary read.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

full review on my blog, holes In My brain

Switch was a book that surprised me, I went in thinking it would be… how do I say this… like Disney (which is a hit or miss for me) with the cheesy plots and the clichéd dialogue. However, I was totally wrong as Tish Cohen managed to refresh the Freaky Friday plot.

I really liked the fact that Andrea narrated the book from start to finish, I was worried that it would be alternating narration which, since the two girls who switched bodies were the same age, would probably get repetitive (as in "omg I want my body back this life sucks" esque). It was interesting to read more about Andrea and get the hang of her voice and her character, especially when she talked about her own family and the foster siblings.

The relationship I found most interesting was not the crush, but the one between Joules and her father, Nigel. Andrea (in Joules’ body) learns about the ups and downs of the glamorous rock-star life and I think the father-‘daughter’ dynamics were handled really well. I was surprised by the twist, but it definitely added to the story; I really liked the ending because of this.

The plot itself was kind of straight forward and what I expected, but that said, I can comfortably say I was never bored—there wasn’t any eye-rolling or sighs, I was engaged and wanting to know what happened next. I liked how Cohen managed to touch on so many aspects of the two girls’ lives, yet I also appreciated the strong focus on family. I love books about family! :

3.5/5 – because I liked it but it doesn’t really stand out for me. Thinking back, I remember that I enjoyed reading it and that it exceeded my expectations, but I can’t really remember specific details. It’s a fun, light read that I would easily recommend. In fact, I passed my copy on to an girl I know and I'm sure she'll like it :)

[Skylar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrea lives in a home with her mom and dad and 30 foster kids, Andrea's home is a foster home so when kids are being abused or are not living in a good environment Andreas parents take them in and when they find someone who would give them a good home they leave. Because Andrea is there only child they were kind enough to give her, her own room but with so many kids there is not a lot of money so Andrea is what you would consider popular at her school. When super cool Joules Adams boyfriend is the boy Andrea wants but she can’t have him. Andrea has always felt ignored but when Joules Adams gets in sort of a pickle she asks Andrea for help then blames her for it. Suddenly Andreas parents are focusing on her but it’s not for the good things she has done. Will Sherwood has been Andreas crush for as long as she can remember but he won’t even consider her.Andrea has always been an honor roll student until, Joules the daughter of famous rock star Nigel Adams decides to ruin her reputation and blames Andrea for the car in the hallway. Could this one false incident completely destroy Andreas future?Andrea wishes to have someone else's life life but finds out it’s not so great after all and can not wait to get things back to normal. Why does they’re life seem so great when it’s not Andrea wonders for the first time ever.
Life will get hard and to be honest life is the hardest thing you will ever have to do. Just because your life is not the best and it may be hard never say the words I wish i was someone else because you will regret it. You will love and cherish your family but one day they will be gone and you will wish they were back.
One thing I really liked about this book was it had a good story. I felt like it was kinda slow going and was a little scrambled. The concept of the book was amazing and the life lessons that t taugh were really good and could be helpful to people.

[Veena D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entirely predictable - I knew from the moment Andrea and Joules switched bodies, and Andr-oules attended her ‘dad’ Nigel’s photo shoot about his charity activities, that he was the hit-and-run driver that hurt Michaela’s parents. And this was just Chapter 9.
I lost interest after that and just skimmed throught the rest of the book.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally reviewed this on my blog at http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogs...

Although the title and the front cover are fairly explicit about the book's general plot, specific elements and Tish Cohen's skill at effectively providing her teen characters with convincing voices take Switch from just another Freaky Friday (Mary Rodgers, 1972) wannabe to an unnerving tale corroborating the "be-careful-what-you-wish-for" truism.

The two teen girls involved in the Switch are Andrea Birch and Joules Adams who attend the same high school in Orange County, California. Except for a passing acquaintance with each other, the girls' lives don't really cross until the day Andrea is forced by Joules to help rescue her when she's been fooling around with a boy other than her boyfriend, Will. The simple physical switch of changing shirts and seats in Andrea's mother's new car gets Andrea into a lot of trouble, including from her mom whose focus is the foster kids who are staying with them. Currently, between 14-year-old Brayden (who is always annoying her), two twelve-year-old girls (who always take stuff from her room), a set of adorable infant twins, and another young girl, Michaela, whose parents were critically injured in a hit-and-run, Andrea is feeling neglected. As such, Joules' unbelievable life as a rock star's daughter is especially alluring to Andrea. When overwhelmed by her Mom's perceived lack of interest and high expectations coupled with her long-time crush on Will, Andrea offhandedly wishes (while wearing a pair of funky dishwashing gloves from an African psychic) that she had Joules' life and, ta-da, she does.

Andrea as Joules isn't keen on Joules' wardrobe and body, but learns pretty quickly how cool it is to have Will as a boyfriend (even if he had been planning to break-up) and that rocker Nigel Adams adores his daughter, sometimes making poor choices to win her love. Joules as Andrea, on the other hand, spends much of her time chagrined by the innumerable chores expected of her, furious with Andrea for getting closer to Will, and making choices to discredit real Andrea. Several subplots, including one regarding Michaela's parents' hit-and-run, continue to fuel Andrea's determination to return to her old self, while saving her own reputation, enjoying Will's affections, and enlightening Joules about Nigel.

As the narrator, Andrea shares the girls' experiences as she perceives them, reacting and responding as a responsible young woman looking towards her future might. She even berates herself for being too selfish not to see her parents as those who help make things right for children. However, I felt that Andrea didn't give herself enough credit, often focusing on how exceptional her mom, Lise, is, without recognizing her own caring, compassion and sense of responsibility. But, I don't think Andrea realizes that abuse can take many forms, not just those in evidence in the homes from which some foster children come. In reading Switch, I was cognizant of the emotional abuse that Andrea suffers from her mother's emphasis on the needs of her foster children above those of Andrea. She uses guilt regularly to ensure Andrea's compliance: with sharing her room, with persevering taunts, with accepting her mother's inattention. Andrea would have every right to shout, "It isn't fair." I wonder how well Lise would have fared if the switch had been between mother and daughter. I suspect that she'd be far less successful as Andrea than Andrea would be as her mom, and perhaps she'd be a little more sympathetic to the heavy responsibilities and lack of teen life faced by her daughter. (Hey, wait. Isn't that the switch in Freaky Friday or even in Vice Versa (Anstey, 1882), its precursor?)

Still, Tish Cohen capably gets into the heads of two very different young women with very different lives whose needs are not very different at all. Any switch would certainly be a worthwhile opportunity for most of us, especially with a person we admire. There's a reason there are so many sayings, about walking a mile in my shoes, the grass being greener on the other side and not reading a book by its cover, that suggest how ignorant we are about the lives of others. Luckily (or not), Andrea and Joules had a remarkable learning opportunity and both were able to benefit from it. Guess Andrea should have listened to her mom when she was told, "Your life looks pretty good from where I'm standing" (pg. 25). Do I sense a sequel?

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelfth grader Andrea Birch is the first of thirty-seven siblings. She’s a Stanford-bound, slightly unpopular student, and all she’s ever wanted was just a little more attention and a few siblings less. When she and rockstar Nigel Adams’ daughter, Joules, collide, Andrea starts the ride of a lifetime with just one wish.

In another charming novel by Miss Cohen, not only do teens have the chance to reflect on their own lives, but they also get quite the laugh. The conversation and description in SWITCH is entertaining and had a sort of realistic quality that kept me interested. I loved the movie FREAKY FRIDAY and quite enjoyed this remix of it.

Andrea was quite the character – the growth of her character over the novel was astounding and reflective, giving readers the chance to understand that sometimes in order to comprehend something, you need to take another look at the problem, which in Andrea’s case, was her life. Andrea was sassy, smart and strong – no matter if she was in Joules’ body or her own, the dialogue with this girl was exciting and it kinda had me snorting in laughter out loud. Although she was incredibly naïve and a little boring in the beginning, as she began to grow as a person, I couldn’t help but flip the pages until I had none left to turn.

Joules was an…interesting character. I never really liked her, although I could understand why the characters in the book held a sort of appeal towards her. I felt like she should have been more fleshed out, just the same as I thought Will. There was one point in the story where Andrea said something along the lines of this phrase: Between Joules and him [Will] there was something missing, but he and I had something deeper. I couldn’t understand what “depth” was going on between Andrea and Will because every time they were together, they were either thinking about making-out or were talking about “Joules” making-out with Shane, Will’s best friend.

Overall though, this book was a pleasant contemporary. Although the ending was rushed and implausible to me, I enjoyed the care Cohen took in understanding the background of an adoptive family.

SWTICH by Tish Cohen
Audience: 12+
Rating: 3/5
Recommend?: Do you remember FREAKY FRIDAY? Tish Cohen takes the classic story and twists it into a hilarious contemporary for readers of all ages!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likened to the movie Freaky Friday, Switch has two girls switching lives based on a wish (with an imaginative conduit, I might add). Having seen both versions of the movie, I had a good idea what I was in for.

Immediately, I felt that Tish Cohen seemed on the money, giving the main character, Andrea, the right type of "voice" for a teenage girl. The vernacular was not too old for someone in high school, nor was it too young. What irked me though was her (Andrea's) constant wallowing in self pity. But this actually turned out to be an important factor in why I ended up really liking the book.

I think we can all appreciate the desire to live life in someone else's shoes; we've probably made a passing wish ourselves at some point in our lives. Of course, fiction always comes around to prove that the grass is indeed greener on the other side. It was the real life situations that initially made Andrea make her wish, but it's the other girl, Joules', reality that really opens her eyes. Joules was also the biggest mystery for me; what were her motivations, how would her part of the story end?

Again, it all comes down Cohen's portrayal of the girls. Andrea is on that precipice between the still selfish teen years and becoming an independent adult. In the end, the character growth in both girls was what really struck a chord for me. But there are also these moments, these scenes, where you think finally Joules gets it, only to lose it again. You can easily imagine throwing your arms out in the rain and spinning. I was completely frustrated each time Joules reversed any progress, and really the same could be said about Andrea, though this was just a further part of the growing process.

There are other moments, I'll call them background moments, that Andrea recalls a former foster child that are heart wrenching. I think Cohen does a fantastic job of blending the elements of real teen situations and real life heartaches, all the while maintaining a fairly light tone, that made this book a total page turner for me. Though, initially irritated by the main character's neediness, I ended up loving what she stood for and where her live was headed.

[Bookworm_Yogi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first came across Switch my interest was immediately peeked by it's simple yet alluring cover and intriguing premise. What I didn't know was the awesomeness that was waiting for me inside those paperback covers.

Tish Cohen's captivating writing style had me flying through the pages. It was simple and flowed beautifully. She also crafted the story flawlessly. I never had a confusing moment when it came to the characters. With "body switching" novels that can be quite difficult but Cohen delivered it perfectly. I was pleased more than once how well she got into the mind of these two completely different teenage characters, as well as many other secondary characters. Not once did the characters blend. Tish Cohen created a stunning character cast.

I was drawn to Andrea right away. She was such a likable character, a real pleasure to read and discover. Joules was also a great character. She sounds like a perfect choice for a body switch but underneath that "perfect" exterior are insecurities and her own personal issues. I had a blast getting to know Andrea and Joules and seeing their relationship unfold. I can't forget to mention Will. He was a sweet, swoon-worthy character.

I was really taken by surprise with this book. I thought it was just going to be a light, airy read for the summer, but what it turned out to be was so much more. It was funny, Witty and even suspenseful. It had it's heartfelt moments as well as heart wrenching moments. I laughed and I cried.

Switch was the total package. Fun, gripping and emotional at times, it has something to offer all readers. Tish Cohen has earned a new fan in me, and I am eager to read her previous and future books!

[DD · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've watched Freaky Friday before, then it's pretty much the same idea with this novel; two girls switching bodies and living each other's lives.

For Andrea Birch, her life couldn't be anymore unexciting that it was. She didn't have designer clothing or a rock star parent, or more importantly, a cute boyfriend named Will Sherwood, whom she had a crush on since third grade.
No, Andrea was just biological child number one out of thirty-seven temporary foster children. She was used to helping out around the house and taking care of these array of children with her loving parents. But oh, how she envied Joules Adams, the girl who had it all (the brand clothing, the rocker father, and Will for a boyfriend). And one night, she couldn't take it anymore; she wanted to Joules's life more than anything. So under a bridge in the pouring rain, with her Gran's gifted dish gloves from Africa, she made a wish under the bridge. And then it happened.

Both Andrea and Joules switch bodies and lives the next day when they woke up, and learned that living in someone else's shoes isn't always what it seems. For Andrea (now in Joules body), she finds out about her father's childish ways, her boyfriend's skepticism about her being loyal, and how she even took for granted how truly special and wonderful her life as the real Andrea really was.

Now frantic and longing to go back to normal, Andrea and Joules both try everything to un-wish their wish. But in the process, they learn to appreciate their own lives and grow in the span of two weeks in each other's bodies.

~~~

The ending, to me, could have been different. Maybe ending off with Andrea/Joules acknowledging their success instead of how it did?
But nevertheless, it was still a good read. :)

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when your wish ends up coming true? That’s what happens to Andrea Birch after making a wish and waking up in the body of Joules Adams, daughter of famous rock star Nigel Adams. To one another it seems like the other person has a better life. In Andrea’s case, looking in at Joules life it seems pretty great. Joules has a great boyfriend, a loving father, and is able to talk her way out of trouble. But the more time that Andrea spends as Joules the more she realizes that maybe what she thought was so good about Joules life really doesn’t compare to what she left behind.

The story is told from Andrea’s point of view so we get to know all her thoughts and reactions. I guess with a scenario like this where I’ve seen it done in movies I thought I would get to see both sides of the story. But because its told from Andrea’s POV we don’t know what Joules is really thinking other than what Andrea sees.

Believe it or not SWITCH is the first book I’ve read by Tish Cohen. Of course I’ve heard of Tish before but just hadn’t had the chance to pick up one of her books. And now that I’ve read SWITCH I’m even more interested in reading some of Tish’s previous books.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Andrea Birch gets fed up with the life she leads--her mother has fostered 37 different kids over the years with Andrea often getting stuck with many of the chores--she wishes for a very different sort of life, the life of gorgeous Joules Adams, the daughter of rock singer Nigel Adams. Unbeknownst to her, Joules wishes to be her, and the change takes place. Both teens end up uncomfortable inhabiting each others' bodies, which is blissfully painful for Andrea since she has a crush on Joules's boyfriend Will Sherwood. All sorts of confusion results from the switch, and Andrea realizes that there really is no place like home. The sub-plot concerning Joules's father and the drinking that has resulted in several accidents that are covered up with no consequences for him is disturbingly real, and the fact that this man who is idolized by thousands yearns for his daughter's love and respect is poignant, if expected. Although this sort of story has been told before, I found it hard not to like the self-deprecating and love-lorn Andrea and feel sorry for the poor little rich girl Joules who doesn't have it as great as many might think.

[Martha Schwalbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that part of the reason I really liked this book is because it took me back to my old stomping grounds in Fullerton, California and particularly right around CSUF where I spent years running.
I've read and seen stories about girls trading places, and boys for that matter and always enjoy the genre. Somehow it seems to be that "peeping Tom" sort of thing where you wonder about someone else's life.
Given that the reader has to accept the premise that changing places is possible, I found that some events weren't really plausible. The two girls kept the awareness of themselves though the people around them didn't seem to get that things were really different. I don't buy that. Those people should have been more concerned about the differences than they seemed to be. Maybe that is just lack of imagination on my part.
I would recommend this book to any girl, especially a reluctant reader, who likes a bit of supernatural along with romance. It was a fun read.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read for switch. I can understand why I hate teen fiction though. The plot is way too predictable and it's easy to place the blame (or many the antagonist) the one we would least suspect it.

As for the characters...Andrea's character development seemed a little forced and Joules did practically no development at all.

I guess the idea of paranormal switches are pretty used up. It's nice to look for a read where the character is changed into someone they're not, but the school environment doesn't really make for a great read.

Putting the resolving issues into the end don't really help either.

I do have to thank Cohen for the burst out laughs I had when Nigel wished her away talking about egg rolls though. That was great!

[Elisée · Rating 4 out of 5]

High school senior Andrea Birch is a seemingly perfect student with her hopes set on Berkeley University--and 32 siblings, thanks to her parents who never turn a needy child away.
All it takes is one wish on a rainy night to send her into Joules Adams's life of both luxury and mischief as the daughter of an infamous rock star. Aside from Andrea, Joules was by far my favorite character, from her appearance to her sarcastic attitude.

This was a hilarious read to tear through, knowing that the first sentence grabbed me right away, so you should read it too.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrea feels like the unpaid nanny for her mother and foster siblings. She makes a wish to trade places with Joules, who she thinks has it all - great boyfriend and famous rock star father. Then the wish comes true.

It was a good read but I thought Andrea's wanting to return to her old life was a little too soon - there was no moment of wanting to enjoy the life she wished for.

[Emily Rozmus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I liked both of the characters and I liked the plot. This is a likable book. Nothing about it blew me away, but nothing bothered me either. I think teens would find it engaging. Another succinct review. The end.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

great! a modern freaky friday

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't that bad. Such an easy, fast read. Wasn't memorable really.

[Maegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I have read it so many times.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't entirely what I expected, and I generally avoid freaky friday like stories, but this was actually a pretty fun read.

[nansee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda cliche no difference from other stories so I give it 2 Stars

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and cute! I enjoyed this!

[Girl Guides of Canada]

We reviewed and recommended this book for our girls in Pathfinders and Rangers, ages 13 – 17.

[Robynae]

I thought this was a good book. It taught me a lot that can help me with my own problems i deal with. Andrea and her mom issue's made me understand this book more because it seem more like a true story.