Book Review: The Swap by Megan Shull

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The Swap
Author: Megan Shull
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Contemporary
Released: August 26th 2014
Review Source: Katherine Tegen Books

“YOU BE ME...AND I'LL BE YOU.”

ELLIE spent the summer before seventh grade getting dropped by her best friend since forever. JACK spent it training in “The Cage” with his tough-as-nails brothers and hard-to-please dad. By the time middle school starts, they’re both ready for a change. And just as Jack’s thinking girls have it so easy, Ellie’s wishing she could be anyone but herself.

Then, BAM! They swap lives—and bodies!

Now Jack’s fending off mean girls at sleepover parties while Ellie’s reigning as the Prince of Thatcher Middle School. As their crazy weekend races on—and their feelings for each other grow—Ellie and Jack begin to realize that maybe the best way to learn how to be yourself is to spend a little time being someone else.

The Swap is one of those adorable reads you read once in a while. It was surprisingly funny yet heartwarming. For sure I thought I had this book figured it out but I am glad Megan Shull proved me wrong.

In The Swap we have two POV’s, one of Ellie, the other for Jack. Ellie is the girl that had a happy life. But with a new comer in school, Ellie lost her best friend and now is the target of all the girls to make fun of. Sad but true, humans can be cruel. Ellie is having a hard time at school and at home. And all she wishes is to be someone else. Now there is Jack. The boy every middle school girl wants. But what no one in school knows is that Jack’s life at home is rough. His dad is hardcore. He wants nothing but the best for his kids but shows it in a unique way. Jack thinks everyone has it easy… Until one day his body is switch with Ellie’s.

Not sure about you, but when I was a teen, I loved Freaky Friday. And like Freaky Friday, one must learn to appreciate what they have. In The Swap, Ellie and Jack had to learn to love and appreciate everything and everyone around them. I know family members can be crazy at times, but you have to appreciate them because you only have one family. Both learn to appreciate life.

As I said, The Swap was an adorable read. It was sweet, funny but most of all heartwarming. Such a family oriented read. I recommend that you pick a copy and share it with your family members!