The Switch

By Anthony Horowitz

Book Overview

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Alex Rider series Tad Spencer lives a life of luxury: a mansion, servants, exotic vacations, and all the toys he could dream of. But when his father denies him a trip to a theme park, Tad wishes he were someone else. The next day, he wakes up as Bob Snarby, a carnival worker living in abject conditions in a criminal world. This terrifying body swap is just the beginning of an adventure that will lead Tad to uncover a secret that will change his life forever.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142415472
• ISBN13: 9780142415474
• Release Date: February 2010
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

A Great story

A great story about a spoiled rich boy changing bodies with a carnival boy and seeing himself and his family from the outside. A rare book that I could give to my 11yo son and he actually finished and loved. He seems to be in a forgotten age range for authors. Thank You Anthony Horowitz! By the way I read it and loved it too!

The Switch

This book is so good you wont put it down till its done. Personally Anthony Horowitz is one of my most favorite authors. If you are familiar with him you probably know about one of the best series out there today The Alex Rider series. Ok so back to the book, Tad starts out a spoiled boy that gets whatever he wants yet on the other side of life Bob Snarbley a very unwealthy boy that is pushed around and steals and breaks into houses. Until one day Tad being spoiled asks to go to an amusment park when his parents say no. That night Tad wishes he was someone else and ends up in Bobs body and his life. I hope this review helps you decide,but you really should get this book because its from one of the best authors around.

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children

Spoiled rich kid Tad Spencer had grown accustomed to having everything his heart could possibly desire and to always getting his way. So the one day when his parents said no to what seemed like a reasonable request, Tad wished he could be someone else. Unbelievably, the next morning he woke up in someone else's body, in a filthy bed in a tiny ramshackle caravan, to the most hideous parents imaginable. Not only had the former inhabitant of this body, Bob Snarby, lived on the edge most of his life, he was also dangerously intertwined with corruption and crime, activities that Tad seemed to have little choice but to undertake. What follows is a hair-raising quest for Tad to protect himself from harm and solve the mystery behind the body switch. Along the way he has some surprising revelations about the vulgarity of his former lifestyle and of his parents' actions. Clearly wrapped into the story line from start to finish are a set of interesting economics themes, including the dichotomy between wealth and poverty, the role of incentives in motivating behavior, and the importance of ethical standards in doing good business. While references to drug use and murder make the book less appropriate for younger readers, The Switch will certainly satisfy readers who have come to expect engrossing, action-packed adventures from Anthony Horowitz.

Once You Start a Horowitz Book You Won't be Switching it For Other Reads Until the You've Finished!

The Switch although not as good as Horowitz's classic Groosham Grange novels is still a very good read, a novel once you start you'll keep turning the pages until the last page. Tad Spencer is a rich spoilt fat kid, his father loved by the world has been made a knight by the Queen and is one of the richest and most successful businessmen in the world. Tad like any spoilt brat doesn't appreciate what he's got and when he doesn't get what he wants one night makes a wish that he was someone else. Unfortunately for Tad a shooting star in some far off place just happened to be in the throws of a final burst before burning out completely and his wish is granted. Tad wakes up in a caravan in a new body and soon learns he has become the white trash criminal delinquent Bob Snarby. He desperately wants to return to his old life but when he finally gets back to his old house he sees his former body which houses the personality of Bob who he now lives in. Bob of course has no desire to let on that what has happened and the terror for Tad is about to reach new heights as he learns the horrible truth about the Spencer fortune along the way. Those purchasing this novel to read on a flight have the added bonus that the silver cover is very shiny so if you crash you can use The Switch to reflect the sun and signal rescuers. Those who also read adult fiction should check out Horowitz's great novel The Killing Joke as well!

The Switch

Brillant! This is the best book in the world. Totlly enjoyed it. Ideal for 10-13 years old(Christmas present)