Bibliography:  McDonald, Abby.  (2009).  Sophomore Switch.  Somerville, MA:  Candlewick Press.  ISBN: 9780763639365

Plot Summary:  In a twist on the teens from different worlds switching places story, smart reserved Emily who is British goes to sunny California for a semester of film classes and frat boys, while party hardy Tasha hopes to escape her American notoriety in buttoned down Oxford.  It isn’t what either of them would have chosen to do, and at first they are both miserable until through the wonders of computers, e-mails, and instant messaging, each girl encourages the other to embrace the experience, first through makeovers, shopping and new clothes, but then these superficial changes lead to something more–friendship, romance, and self discovery.

Critical Analysis:  Like the best chick lit, girls and young women will be drawn to this title because of its appearance of frothy fun, romance, makeovers, shopping and so on.  And then, once they have been pulled into the story, they will learn and grow with the characters and get the messages about feminism and what it means to be a womn, to be in charge and in control of yourself and your life are seamlessly incorporated in the events and the characters of the story.  This is 21st century girl power at its best.

McDonald has created two strong characters and placed them great fish out of water scenarios.  She refreshingly and honestly treats them both with respect, showing that women can be fun and sexy and still have a brain, and that you can be smart and brainy and creative.  Having sex doesn’t make you a slut, and no one should be defined by a single action alone.

And what a sense of humor!  There are truly funny scenes and lines throughout the book, although I am partial to the protest scene where Tasha accidentally gets herself chained to the building and becomes a hero because the campus police are unable to take her away.  This is wonderful stuff, and too bad this type of literature gets no respect, because I think it deserves some recognition.  It is also another rare teen book that treats teens as mature almost adults, and is a great lead in to some adult authors and titles.

Readalikes

Angels by Marian Keyes When she catches her husband having an affair, Maggie Walsh does something completely out of character–she hops on the next flight to L.A. to stay with screen writer friend Emliy.  There is a whole series about the Walsh sisters, and the books all share one thing in common–right when the reader is pulled into the story, she realizes that Keyes has manged to make things silly and serious all at once.

Any adult title by Meg Cabot

Any title by Sophie Kinsella, but especially Can You Keep a Secret?

Review Excerpts:

Publisher’s Weekly:  “[P]lays with stereotypical images of Americans and Brits, painting both in broad strokes, but also challenges standard definitions of feminism. Though the protagonists’ traumas, romantic interests and growing self-awareness are perhaps too neatly paralleled, the characters’ strong personalities and the book’s easy sense of humor will keep readers entertained.” Ages 14-up. (Mar.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Reviews:  “Important questions emerge from this frothy novel: Can’t smart girls embrace frivolity, beauty and sexuality without guilt? Can’t they have fun and be serious too? McDonald cleverly answers. Her ostensibly simple, bubble-gum debut is actually chock-full of substance.” (Fiction. 14 & up)