Parents' Guide to

The Swap

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Switching spell lets girl and boy see other's point of view.

Book Megan Shull Coming of Age 2014
The Swap Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

meg_nuttt
meg_nuttt Adult
April 15, 2020
age 12+

Well a little... YEAH

It talks about some STUFF that teenagers talk about. It cusses some (piss and hell) and it says when Jack (looks like Ellie since they swapped) gets a well visit he goes, “Well at least their isnt penises on the walls”. And they talk about periods. Its a good books for teens or pre teens that know about “that stuff”

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Who has it harder during puberty: girls or boys? In THE SWAP, readers get a chance to find out when a Freaky Friday-like situation lets two teens see what it's like on the other side. Ellie, falling apart after being "dropped" by the queen bee, and handsome jock Jack, banged up after a fight with a class bully, meet in the middle school nurse's office. There, a strange nurse recites a spell that puts them in each other's bodies. They learn about some of the hardships in each other's lives (Ellie's parents are recently divorced, and Jack's mom died, after which his dad became a strict disciplinarian). But they learn some good stuff, too: Jack learns how good it feels to let out his emotions, and Ellie likes being pushed by Jack's supportive but demanding athletic brothers. In the end, they use their strengths to help the other become a happier, healthier person.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (9 ):

Author Megan Shull puts a creative twist on a fun, if familiar, idea, and both Ellie and Jack's authentic voices come to life in alternating chapters. The gender differences can be somewhat stereotypical (Ellie's mom takes her to a hair salon for a treat and let's her sleep in her big comfy bed, whereas Jack lives with a former military dad and three tough but loving brothers). But there's a sweet lesson about both boys and girls facing challenges with friends, family, bullies, and their own bodies as they stumble through puberty.

However, readers may get frustrated by the overly neat ending, which zaps attention away from what they thought the book was about. Readers who decide to skip the last 20 pages or so may find they like The Swap a whole lot better.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about who has a harder time during puberty, girls or boys. Did you opinion change after reading The Swap?

  • What do you think is the best way to handle someone who's bullying you? What's the best way to deal with cyberbullying?

  • Both Ellie and Jack write down their personal goals. What do you think is the point of doing this? Try making your own list.

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate