Switched

February 1, 2021
A depressed sixth grader discovers what it means to have a dog's life. What with the recent death of his beloved Grandma Mimi, the departure of his supportive older half sister, Billie, to an arts school in Ireland, and the near continual chaos his African American family's rambunctious goldendoodle, Boof, wreaks around the house, compulsive neat freak Parker Pitts is losing the battle to cope. School's no haven either, considering the menacing attentions of outsized bully Deke Wightman and a likewise painful crush on classmate Gabriella Cortez. Literal new perspectives ensue for boy and dog both, however, after Parker finds Boof chewing on Mimi's treasured wooden effigy of Eshu, the Yoruba trickster god, and the two wake up the next morning in switched bodies. Cue the steep learning curves, as Boof discovers all sorts of fun new capabilities while Parker, frantically searching for a way to switch back, also has to overcome his resistance to the less hygienic parts of life as a dog. Along with exploiting the comedic possibilities, Hale offers credible insights into how Boof's forthright doggy nature might affect relationships at school (once he gets over the urge to sniff butts)...and also ways in which the freedom to act like a dog could work a sea change in Parker's emotional landscape. The happy ending sees boy and dog restored and inseparable, having learned something about both being responsible and being too responsible. A dog lover's delight with a chewy center. (Fantasy. 9-12)

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April 23, 2021

Gr 4-8-Freaky Friday meets Dr. Doolittle in this story of learning to see things from a different perspective. Parker can't stand his sister's dog Boof. He is messy, never listens, and seems to live to destroy everything important to Parker. When his sister Billie leaves for an amazing opportunity, it falls to Parker to take care of Boof while she is gone. To say it does not go well would be an understatement. After fighting with a statue that belonged to Parker's grandmother, both boy and dog awake to find themselves trapped in each other's bodies. Misunderstandings and comically impossible situations ensue, with Boof and Parker finding common ground and learning that neither of them always has it easy. The plot is predictable but funny all the same. Underlying themes of loss drive the story towards resolution and understanding. Secondary characters never see development and serve as space fillers for Parker and Boof. The story is well written with nice pacing throughout. VERDICT An easy and pleasant, if slightly formulaic, departure from the typical "boy and his dog" story for upper elementary and middle school students.-Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford Coll., TX

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