Mixed Up
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Around an electrifying premise, Korman winds themes of grief, family dysfunction, and the ways memory shapes character to generate a powerful friendship tale. Middle-schoolers Reef and Theo don't know one another initially, but that changes in a big way when they suddenly, mysteriously, begin acquiring each other's memories. Not only is this scary, not to mention confusing, but it's devastating for Reef when he realizes that, along with forgetting everything he studied for a test and other such details, bit by bit he's losing all he has left of his mom, who died from COVID-19. Theo has parental issues, too, but Reef's whole life is in such a dark place from the outset that the story takes on a grim tone, only gradually lightened by events that climax in a wild lightning storm, allies (including a hilariously clever rabbit), and the growth of a connection that is, perforce, uniquely perceptive and expresses itself in acts of both kindness to others and a sense of mutual commitment. That relationship will leave readers touched and thoughtful.

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)

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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Around an electrifying premise, Korman winds themes of grief, family dysfunction, and the ways memory shapes character to generate a powerful friendship tale. Middle-schoolers Reef and Theo don't know one another initially, but that changes in a big way when they suddenly, mysteriously, begin acquiring each other's memories. Not only is this scary, not to mention confusing, but it's devastating for Reef when he realizes that, along with forgetting everything he studied for a test and other such details, bit by bit he's losing all he has left of his mom, who died from COVID-19. Theo has parental issues, too, but Reef's whole life is in such a dark place from the outset that the story takes on a grim tone, only gradually lightened by events that climax in a wild lightning storm, allies (including a hilariously clever rabbit), and the growth of a connection that is, perforce, uniquely perceptive and expresses itself in acts of both kindness to others and a sense of mutual commitment. That relationship will leave readers touched and thoughtful. Grades 5-7. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

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)