Recycler [Paperback]

Lauren McLaughlin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2009

How do you grow up, if who you are keeps changing?

Jill McTeague is not your average high school graduate, she’s a scientific anomaly. Every month for four days she turns into Jack, a guy—complete with all the parts. Now everyone in her hometown knows that something very weird is up with her. So what’s a girl (and a guy) to do? Get the heck out of town, that’s what! With her kooky best friend, Ramie, Jill sets out for New York City. There both she and Jack will have to figure out everything from the usual (relationships) to the not so usual (career options for a “cycler,” anyone?).

As in Cycler, the first book featuring Jack and Jill, author Lauren McLaughlin deftly weaves the downright mundane with the outright bizarre in a story that, while defying classification, is peopled with characters that readers can fully relate to.

“The sort of book that makes your eyes widen and that you don’t want to put down.”—Bookavore

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—This sequel to Cycler (Random, 2008) brings back the same characters, though Tommy's fans will be disappointed by his brief appearance. Freshly arrived in New York City, Jill and Ramie are looking for balance between grueling jobs and busy social lives. It's a bigger challenge for Jill, who still shares her body for four days out of the month with her brother, Jack. While Jack's happy dating Ramie, Jill's looking for someone new to mend her broken heart. However, the siblings' irregular schedule starts to fray their relationships with Ramie, and when they find themselves abandoned, each looks to a different place to find comfort and strength. Readers will need to have read the first book, since there are many plot points that carry over. Brief moments of discussion regarding gender, identity, and perception are so spare that casual readers may overlook them. McLaughlin's own voice occasionally creeps into the tale and dominates the narrative, but she soon relinquishes the flow back to the characters. Jill and Jack each receive a signature typeface, which is a nice visual cue rather than a boring gimmick. Moments of quirky humor help move the narrative along, but it feels slow at times. Fans will enjoy the open ending and eagerly anticipate the next book, but most other readers will quickly place it back on the shelves.—Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Lauren McLaughlin spent ten years in the film industry. Her Web site and blog are available at www.laurenmclaughlin.net.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037585195X
• ISBN-13: 978-0375851957
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauren McLaughlin grew up in the small town of Wenham, Massachusetts. After college, she spent ten years as a screenwriter and producer before abandoning her screen ambitions to write fiction full time. She lives in New York and London with her husband and daughter and is currently at work on her fourth novel. When not writing, Lauren can be found at the piano, in a dance studio, or in the kitchen inventing new desserts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (Re)Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin, December 4, 2009

By 

James F. Booth "Book Chic" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Recycler (Paperback)

I really enjoyed the first book in this two-book series and was so excited to read the sequel ever since turning that final page. The first book was left on a big cliffhanger and this book explains a bit about what happens, but it picks up a few months after that climactic final scene. Jack and Jill are both very fun to read about, and there's more Jack this time now that he's out and about doing things. The character interactions feel so real and are so compelling; even though it's inanimate, one of my favorite "characters" (of sorts) is this one-armed mannequin that lives in Jill/Jack and Ramie's apartment who becomes this sounding board for the characters (mainly just Jill and Jack) and is part of the most hilarious scenes in the book, in my opinion. There are of course many interactions between real characters and not just real with inanimate objects interaction.

What I love about this series is the inventiveness of it. It's definitely not something you've read about before (or at least, I've never come across anything like it) and it's just done so well. Aside from that, there's a lot of issues brought up about gender identity, sacrifices, love, trust and so much more. The book is hilarious and clever, but it also has some real depth to it. It's got the best of both worlds.

I was satisfied with the ending, but am also curious as to how things play out. There are a couple questions left unanswered and I really want to know what happens next, but I think with something like this, it can be hard to wrap things up completely. When you're sharing a body with someone else, there isn't necessarily going to be a happy ending (unless one of the bodies is gay and they can find a bi person who accepts them; too bad Jack is straight.) and then the books would go on and on, which would be bad because we'd probably get tired of Jack and Jill eventually and we also wouldn't get to see what else Lauren McLaughlin is capable of. I'm excited to read what she's got coming out next!

4.0 out of 5 stars (Re)Cycler, August 1, 2010

By 

Mrs. Magoo "Mrs. Magoo Reads" (California, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Recycler (Paperback)

Review from [...]

Title: (Re)Cycler
Author: Lauren McLaughlin
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Girls & Some Boys, 14+
Sequel to: Cycler

Summary: Jill and Ramie are now living in New York City, and although Jill's parents are bugging her about when she is planning to start college, Jill loves the freedom she has right now. The only thing raining on her parade is her ache for Tommy Knutson, her boyfriend who is currently on a road trip.

Tommy isn't being clear about his feelings for Jill, and Jill is confused as to whether or not they are still an official couple or not. Dare she flirt with a few other boys while she is in this strange new city? Meanwhile, Jack feels like Ramie is abandoning him for her career in fashion. In response to this, he acts possessive and controlling, and their relationship develops a strain.

Can Jack and Jill solve all of the problems in their relationships? Can they manage their new independence? Will they ever be able to adjust to their strange transformations, or will these bodily changes overwhelm their own personal lives?

My thoughts: Although I didn't feel that (Re)Cycler lived up to its prequel, Cycler, I still felt connected with Jill, Jack, and Ramie. McLaughlin has the talent of making readers feel sympathetic with and understanding of her characters, and this contributed to an enjoyable read.

Both teens and adults will have a fun time with this entertaining read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, October 2, 2009

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Recycler (Paperback)

The characters from CYCLER are back in (RE)CYCLER for a sequel. If you're like me, I was confused at first when I kept seeing (RE)CYCLER listed as a future release. The synopsis kept repeating the same blurb that was the CYCLER synopsis. But I finally stumbled across the book at the book store and realized that this was indeed the continuation of the story of Jill and Jack.

The total humiliation that was the prom has passed and Jill has graduated from high school. Her future is undefined. She has the option of traveling across country with Tommy or moving to New York City with Ramie. Jill is torn, but she chooses New York City, in part because it will benefit Jack, as well. Tommy is saddened that she won't join him, but he understands. So he sets off without her.

Jack is overjoyed at the prospect of having actual freedom. He's been confined to their bedroom for his entire existence. But now he has Ramie all to himself during his four days each month. But Jill is missing Tommy. With the help of Ramie, Jill is determined to get over him and her broken heart.

The story takes places in alternating Jack and Jill chapters during the course of the fall. Jill becomes more confident in herself while Jack faces some hard truths of what he thought and what is reality. During this time, Ramie seems to be pulling away from both Jill and Jack. Jill can handle the separation, but it is tearing Jack apart.

(RE)CYCLER shows more depth in the characters than was seen in CYCLER. Jill and Jack are learning to live within the confines of one body and are learning to accept each other. The two begin to interact with the world around them. Though most of the people they encounter still are unaware of the fact they are the same person, the two create unique situations that come to creative resolutions.

I am unsure if there will be another book in the series, but Ms. McLaughlin leaves some loose threads that could easily be woven into another chapter of the story. I for one would love to see how it actually plays out with the square that is Ramie, Tommy, Jack, and Jill.

***Note: There is a lot of frank discussion of sex, so this is best reserved for the more mature reader.***

Reviewed by: Jaglvr