Switched at Birthday

January 15, 2014
A wish, a shared birthday and some "theater magic" transform the lives of two young teens. Although Lavender's and Scarlet's birthdays are on the same day, their lives are polar opposites. Scarlet reigns as a popular girl at their middle school, while Lavender's status falls much lower on the social scale. Yet both are determined to audition for the lead, Marian, in their school production of The Music Man. The mysterious intervention of their music teacher--who harbors a magical secret--leads to the pair waking up the day after their 13th birthdays in each other's bodies. Suddenly, Lavender experiences the popular life as Scarlet, and Scarlet endures the many taunts that punctuate Lavender's school days. As they scramble to resolve their dilemma, the girls form a reluctant collaboration. Standiford's adept portrayal of the evolution of the girls' self-awareness conveys a meaningful message about empathy and forgiveness. While the switch enables the girls to learn about each other, it also gives them greater insight into their own lives, allowing them each to discover their strengths and to recognize their foibles. The girls emerge from their experiences with an appreciation of their genuine friendship and the courage to make positive changes in their lives. A characteristically insightful tale that affirms the importance of true friendship and self-acceptance. (Fantasy. 9-13)

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February 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-Lavender and Scarlet are as different as two people can be. Scarlet is tall, blond, and popular while Lavender is short, stumpy, and so covered with dark hair that she is called Yeti, Furby, or Hairball. The only common factor shared between them is their birth date. Hoping to get the leading role in the school play, they each recite a good-luck verse told to them by the drama teacher. Upon awakening, they find themselves in the other's body. In this tale of winners and losers, bullies and victims, Standiford creates authentic characters in situations most middle schoolers have experienced or witnessed. Scarlet is called the Plastic Princess by her stepbrother, yet Lavender as Scarlet tames her vanity a bit and tries to befriend him. On the other hand, Scarlet as Lavender becomes much more attentive to her hygiene and appearance. As the girls are forced to work together to figure out how to switch back they become supportive and loyal to each other. Standiford makes a statement about self-identity and empathy without moralizing. The magic and humor of the situations combine to create an enjoyable story.-D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2014
Grades 4-7 Shortly before she turns 13, Lavender sums up her situation mathematically: Short hairy cavegirl + glasses = loser. Her few friends are outnumbered by the group of cool girls who, routinely, publicly put her down. When popular Scarlet magically and inadvertently switches bodies with Lavender on their thirteenth birthdays, each girl is thrown into a new family and a new set of friends, as well as sudden, unforeseen challenges. Each learns a good bit about the other's situation while seeing herself from a new perspective. The girls' alternating first-person narrative plots their journey through shock, confusion, and frustration to insight and change. While the body switch is not a new idea, Standiford uses it effectively in this engaging story. Though swiftly drawn, even the minor characters are convincing, and the two leads are memorable in their separate ways. This well-paced novel will appeal to readers who loved Wendy Mass' popular 11 Birthdays (2009), which it resembles both in tone and in its use of a magical element.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)