Parents' Guide to Game Changer

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Common Sense Media Review

Michael Berry By Michael Berry , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Story of softballer in alternate world picks up as it goes.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 11+

Based on 3 kid reviews

What's the Story?

Eighth grader KT Sutton's life revolves around softball until the day she blacks out during a championship game and awakens in a world where everything about her school and family has changed. Suddenly, nobody cares about softball or rewards athletic prowess. Everyone is obsessed with competitions in math, science, and geography. To find her way back to where she belongs, KT must change her attitude about what's truly important in life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say ( 3 ):

GAME CHANGER has an intriguing concept, but it takes a very long time for it to develop. KT wakes up in a strange world, and while it's reasonable for her to be confused, it always feels as if she's a step or two behind the alert reader in sussing out what's going on. It also doesn't help that she and her family are all depicted as self-absorbed whiners for much of the book. Eventually, however, the plot takes an interesting twist, and the characters begin acting more sympathetically as the action builds to a suspenseful and affecting climax.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Game Changer and what it might be like to live in a world where sports and academics are switched in their level of importance in society.

  • What determines whether a certain activity or interest is "cool"? Does it change given different circumstances?

  • Why do parents sometimes seem to favor one sibling over another? What are good ways to alter this behavior and address alternatives?

Book Details

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