THE HOUSE SWAP, by Yvette Clark, HarperCollins, Feb. 28, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
Two girls — on from America and the other from the UK — kindle a friendship when their parents swap houses in The House Swap, by Yvette Clark.
Allie is British and dreams of being a spy. Sage is an only child from sunny California. They meet when their families swap houses for the summer.
Though they’re polar opposites, Allie and Sage quickly realize that they’re both dealing with family issues—Sage’s parents may be on the brink of divorce, and Allie’s struggling to feel heard in her big family. It may take a trip around the world for them to find their place at home. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins
Billed as The Parent Trap meets The Holiday, The House Swap is a sweet coming-of-age tale.
The story is told from alternating points of view. Through Allie and Sage, readers not only get a sense of who the girls are but their varying cultures. Author Yvette Clark does an excellent job realizing their characters. The juxtaposition helps move the story forward and keeps the pacing strong.
The House Swap is a heartwarming read that explores complicated family dynamics while remaining light.
*The House Swap is a Cybils-nominated book. This review is my opinion and not the opinion of the middle-grade fiction panel as a whole.
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