I'm With Cupid

May 1, 2015
Two middle schoolers with secret paranormal powers accidentally swap those powers when they kiss each other at a party in this series opener. Thirteen-year-old Lena really doesn't want to be a soul collector, but she's the one with the power to help the dying along to After. If she refuses to do it, she knows their souls will wander aimlessly, a dismal fate. Likewise, her classmate Marcus, who's had his eye on Lena as potential girlfriend material for some time, really doesn't want to be a matchmaker, but he's stuck with the talent. They even have the same boss, Eddie, who gives them their assignments. Neither, of course, knows the other has paranormal abilities until they kiss on a dare, experience an amazing spark of energy, and later realize that they've swapped powers. Both inexperienced in their new fields, they start to make mistakes, driving Eddie to distraction. Try as they might, they can't seem to switch powers back again. As always, Staniszewski provides a deft mix of comedy and sensitive, deeper themes, making her book not only entertaining, but one that offers wisdom. She knows where to mine the humor from middle school life but does not sacrifice her characterizations for easy laughs. Light-but not lightweight-fun for preteens. (Paranormal comedy. 10-13)

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May 1, 2015

Gr 6-10-Thirteen-year-old Lena can cross First Kiss off her list of "Things to Accomplish Before I Turn Fourteen." After working with the shy and awkward Marcus Torelli on a math project, Lena felt a spark of interest but denied it as mere brain chemicals, as described by her scientist father, rather than a genuine attraction. Since her mother left when Lena was in fifth grade, she and her father have worked hard to keep their emotions and feelings locked away. Perhaps this is why Lena is perfect for her job as a soul collector. But that kiss with Marcus becomes more than just a milestone to cross off her list. Somehow, her powers of soul collection and Marcus's powers as a matchmaker are switched and now the "balance of things" is upset. Struggling to deal with abilities that are not their own binds them together in a new friendship. Lena learns of Marcus's struggles with his place in his family and the neighborhood bully. Marcus supports Lena in her quest to move past her robotic facade and feel the emotions she needs to land her a spot in the school play. As they work to get their own powers back, they learn that fate has more surprises in store for them. VERDICT A cute and mild love story with a dash of supernatural charm that dives a little deeper with its exploration of death and love.-Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2015
Grades 5-8 Marcus, hopeless romantic and natural matchmaker ( like Cupid but without the diaper, he says), has a crush on Lena. She is more scientific about love and affection, not to mention his polar opposite: she is a reaper. Dared to kiss at a party, they are both sure they felt something special, but the sparks that fly swap their powers instead of lighting up their shyly budding romance. Their boss, a wisecracking Spaniard named Eddie, provides extra comic relief as their powers spin more and more out of control, and he has no idea why or how to fix the problem. They have to learn the ins and outs of death and love before too many people end up mismatched, and as the world spins further out of balance, Lena and Marcus might actually fall hardfor each other. Staniszewski works tween humor very well, and if this is any indication, readers are in for a wild and hilarious ride from upcoming installments in the Switched at First Kiss series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)