Publishers Weekly
04/29/2019
Norton (Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe) incorporates Freaky Friday–style body switching in this novel to explore the inner conflicts of two enemies crushing on each other’s best friends. On the night of a total eclipse in Carbondale, Ill., socially anxious Ezra intends to ask longtime crush Imogen to prom. Instead, he finds himself trapped inside the body of Imogen’s best friend, bold, brassy Wynonna, whose “favorite hobby” is making his life a “living hell.” Much to Ezra’s relief, the switch is only temporary, but then it keeps happening, and for longer periods of time. While in the girl’s skin, Ezra learns of Wynonna’s interest in his best friend, Holden, and seeks to soothe her estranged relationship with her father and guardian grandmother. In turn, Wynonna helps bridge the gap between Ezra and his younger sister, who has distanced herself since learning of their parents’ extramarital affairs. The frequent, rather abrupt body switches and cluttered plot, which includes a production of Twelfth Night that parallels the teens’ experience, prove more distracting than effective. Still, Norton’s novel offers thought-provoking ideas about gender, sexuality, and compassion with plenty of comedy along the way. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jenny Bent, the Bent Agency. (June)
From the Publisher
"Ezra's narrational voice is well-crafted and witty, and the characters are layered and complex... The book deftly explores the fluidity of gender and sexuality without moralizing or oversimplifying... An entertaining queer romance."— Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal
06/21/2019
Gr 9 Up-Ezra Slevin's had a sleeping disorder since fourth grade. Sometimes he's up for three days straight. He spends that time fantasizing about a date with the girl of his dreams, Imogen. The problem is that Wynonna Jones, Imogen's best friend, is fiercely protective of her and hates Ezra. When an eclipse occurs and Ezra and Wynonna wake up in each other's bodies, they make a pact: Wynonna will help Ezra get a date with Imogen to prom, and Ezra will do the same for Wynonna's crush Holden, his spastic best friend. As Ezra and Wynonna begin living each day literally in each other's shoes, they develop a begrudging camaraderie and respect for one another. As they learn more about the circumstances that connect them, can they eventually find a way to stay out of each other's bodies? The story's Freaky Friday-inspired plot isn't especially inventive or original. It misses an opportunity to take the idea of gender swapping seriously, and instead plays the situation mostly for comedy. The novel relies heavily on pop culture from the 80s, 90s, and today, and teens may not get all the references. As a character, Ezra can occasionally be off-putting due to his intense vulgarity and immaturity. The book's true strength relies on several subplot mysteries, which readers may become more invested in, rather than whether either couple ends up going to prom. VERDICT This title may have appeal for older reluctant readers who feel weird or different from their peers. A supplemental purchase for YA collections.-Ryan P. Donovan, Southborough Public Library, MA
Kirkus Reviews
2019-03-03
Ezra Slevin and Wynonna Jones are sworn enemies—until they start swapping bodies and realize that they have more in common than they thought.
Ezra has been in love with Imogen Klutz since the fourth grade, and after years of pining for her, he decides to ask her to junior prom. There are, however, two problems: the first is Ezra's social anxiety and the second is Wynonna, Imogen's best friend, who bullies him relentlessly. On the day of the solar eclipse, Ezra's best friend finally convinces him to ask Imogen out. But his world turns upside down when, in the middle of a scuffle, he swaps bodies with Wynonna and then switches back to himself. The incident kicks of a pattern of the two constantly flipping between each other's worlds. As they begin to uncover each other's secrets, Ezra and Wynonna realize all they share—and that, chillingly, the switch might end up being permanent. Ezra's narratorial voice is well-crafted and witty, and the characters are layered and complex. Although the book deftly explores the fluidity of gender and sexuality without moralizing or oversimplifying, there is little mention of race and all main characters are white. Unfortunately, while the end of the novel flies by in a stream of fast-paced action and nuanced character development, the first two-thirds are overwritten, with unnecessarily detailed descriptions and strange tangents.
An entertaining queer romance that could have benefited from some additional editing. (Romance. 14-18)
