Switchers [Paperback]

Kate Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 20, 1998 | Grade Level: 3 and up

When freakish weather grips the Arctic regions and moves southward, an Irish girl and her strange companion save the world from disaster through their ability to switch into animal forms.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tess has a secret that keeps her apart from others: she can change into an animal at will. Disturbed when scruffy Kevin keeps following her after school, Tess wonders what he wants from her, and why an arctic front is sweeping over the globe, causing a blizzard in Dublin in September. Then she learns that Kevin shares her gift, and they set out across Ireland, disguised as rats, and guided by fellow rats to "little old lady" Lizzie. The eccentric woman sends them on a quest north to stop the krools, ravenous monsters responsible for the Earth's ice ages. The pair races against time (Kevin is about to turn 15, when all Switchers have to choose their final form) and U.N. warplanes seeking alien invaders, to halt the global icing. In occasionally poetic language (which may need some explaining to younger readers), Thompson interweaves elements from mythology and science fiction with insights into animal nature to create a coming-of-age fantasy that, like Peter Pan, ends with an open window and, for many readers, a lump in the throat. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8AA terrific read that's sure to keep youngsters turning pages. As a result of a strange weather phenomenon, severe snowstorms are moving south from the Arctic. Two young teens, with the help of a weird old woman, find out that the blizzards are being caused by a group of mysterious ice creatures and set out to stop them. Tess and Kevin have the ability to switch from human form into any animal they choose, real or imaginary. What better way to save the world than as a polar bear, a woolly mammoth, or, better yet, a fire-breathing dragon! Even those who cannot easily suspend disbelief will care about the characters from the very first pageAtremble when they are in trouble, and feel exalted when they triumph in the end. In addition, the premise that children have powers beyond what they can see or are told is a mighty one. This tale will incite imaginations and provide a launching pad for discussion. In the end, Kevin is killed but rises as a phoenix. Tess is so moved that she gives up her family and human form to join him. Yes, it's corny, but it fits the mood and style of the rest of the story. Imaginative, thoughtful fun.AMolly S. Kinney, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (May 20, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786803800
• ISBN-13: 978-0786803804
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,392,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put this book down, January 19, 2000

By 

jes (Cork, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Switchers (Paperback)

Switchers is nothing like animorphs.So I wish people would stop comparing it to them.There are many shape - shifter books It came out long before animorphs in Ireland. It's a fabulous book and books 2(Midnights Choice) and 3(Wild blood) are just as good.It took me one day to read it.I thought the rats and Lizzie were very funny and that the climax was brilliant.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just a lame Animorphs imitation, November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Switchers (Paperback)

At first, I thought this was going to be a lame attempt to imitate the Animorphs series. But when I realized that, owing to the fact that I couldn't put it down, I had finished in less than a day, I decided this has a really good storyline, great characters, and imaginative desriptions. It also has real potential as a series, so keep it up Ms. Thompson.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing like animorphs...., April 10, 2001

By 

Jess (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Switchers (Paperback)

This book is a great book!Tess is a switcher and doesn't trust anyone and doesn't have any friends. She then meets Kevin, a fellow shifter, and they become friends. They travel to northern Ireland and meet Lizzie, an eccentric old switcher. she sends them on a quest to get rid of some "Krools." they travel to the antarctic and fight the krools. this book is awesome! but i was a little confused at the end. see, i've only read wild blood...i haven't read midnight's choice. in wild blood, kevin is a human but at the end of this book, he turns into a phoenix for life. I guess i gotta get midnight's choice to find out what happens...oh, bummer:)