The Swap Review

The Swap 

by Megan Shull

Blurb 

“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.

My Review 

Ellie has had a horrible summer and is dreading Middle School. her best friend has dumped her and now is turning everyone against her. She just wants to get away from all her old friends and thinks no one likes her. She thinks boys have it so much easier. Jack has spent the summer training with his brothers and his dad who shows no love and only pushes them to do better. He may be one of the most popular guys in school but he just knows girls have an easier life. When the two meet they somehow switched bodies. Ellie sees being popular isn't everything it is cracked up to be and everyone has things going on at home. Jack sees beneath girls and how petty some of them can be. He sees they don't have everything easy. They both realize they have good and bad in their lives and how they can change things for the better. they just have to get through the weekend and back in the right bodies. The two started out as strangers but soon become so much more.

Ellie is a shy girl who is great at sports. She would rather hide from people than to risk getting hurt again and would rather hide than face her old friend. She is coming into her teen years but feels years behind the other girls. Jack has to show no weakness. He always has to be strong and to never back down from a challenge. His father has some hard rules and he has to follow them to the letter. He wishes things were different but doesn't know how to change them. He is the popular boy every guy wants to be and every girl wants to date.

You really get to see many different sides in this book. You not only see what different teens go through but also what boys and girls go through. I really think the author did a great job on both characters on letting you get to know them. Both Jack and Ellie teach each other different things and help each other out all in the span of a few days. They really grow up and grow into the start of who they will be. Ellie seems to make the biggest change to me. She learns she can't worry about what everyone thinks of her and to realize what a great mom she has. Jack realizes he doesn't have to be perfect and he can talk to his dad. He isn't alone in the world. I thought at first the two would end up together but I have to say I believe I liked the ending better than what I thought would come of it. This would be a great book for any teen or really anyone just wanted a good book.

4 out of 5 Stars