Publishers Weekly
05/08/2023
Two white-cued tweens who have never met mysteriously begin swapping memories in this suspenseful novel by Korman (The Superteacher Project). Twelve-year-old Reef Moody is grieving his mother’s death more than a year ago when he realizes that he can’t recall certain memories of her. Instead, he has begun remembering events that he’s sure he’s never experienced. Meanwhile, Theo Metzinger, also 12 and living in another district, has begun recollecting images of a woman he’s never seen and things he’s never done; the memories are welcome if bizarre distractions from his father’s overwhelming future expectations. When the two boys meet serendipitously, it doesn’t take long for them to realize their connection. Together, they resolve to figure out what’s happening and reverse it, but the solution turns out to be potentially life-threatening. Via Reef and Theo’s earnest alternating POVs, Korman crafts an intricate mystery and a gripping adventure grounded by high-stakes emotional conflict. If the mythos surrounding the memory swap is somewhat contrived, the boys’ creative brainstorming evokes classic Hardy Boys detective work, and they each emerge as bighearted, sympathetic heroes whose individual courage and support for one another is palpably rendered. Ages 8–12. (July)
From the Publisher
Praise for War Stories:
* "This weave of perceptive, well-told tales wears its agenda with unusual grace." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Praise for Restart:
* "A fresh approach to the familiar topic of bullying, kept credible by believable characters and events, with typical Korman humor and just the right touch of mystery." — School Library Journal, starred review
Praise for Slacker:
"Upbeat, inspiring, and full of Korman's signature sense of humor." — Publishers Weekly
"Korman makes comedy look deceptively easy." — Booklist
Praise for Swindle:
"Scary, funny, and hysterical adventures!" — Chicago Tribune
"Pure fun from top to bottom." — School Library Journal
Praise for The Hypnotists:
"Fast-paced... an entertaining mix of intense action and goofy fun." — Publishers Weekly
Praise for Ungifted:
"A gem for readers looking for a book where the underdog comes out on top." — Voice of Youth Advocates
"Funny and insightful." — Publishers Weekly
Praise for Schooled:
* "This rewarding novel features an engaging main character and some memorable moments of comedy, tenderness, and reflection." — Booklist, starred review
Kirkus Reviews
2023-04-24
A freaky Phenomenon leads to a mysterious memory swap.
After athletic Reef Moody’s single mom checked into the hospital a year ago with Covid-19, he went to live with the family of her best friend, Jenna Helmer. Mom’s death made the arrangement permanent. Reef’s grief is complicated by the fact that Jenna’s volatile youngest, 14-year-old Declan, has made his life miserable. Across town, studious Theo Metzinger spots a menacing rabbit, whom he nicknames Jaws, with giant teeth preparing to destroy his precious flowers…again. But his controlling, macho dad, who clearly favors Theo’s younger sister, scolds him and whisks him off to karate class so he will “toughen up.” When Reef also starts seeing Jaws, readers will be clued in that something really unusual is happening. Over time, the two 12-year-olds each acquire memories belonging to the other and begin changing, bit by disturbing bit. Discovering a shared birthday seems to validate their shared suspicion of some sort of mind swap. A thunderstorm and the help of a handful of secondary characters are key to a solution for the distressed duo. Korman packs his story with colorfully delineated characters and believable middle school set pieces. Dueling first-person narratives capture subtle character differences between Theo and Reef while staying in a convincing preteen vernacular. Main characters are cued White.
An engaging tale of weird science as well as a celebration of individuality. (Fiction. 9-13)
