February 4, 2025 by Walker Books US
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Skylar and her best friend Dana ADORE the K-Pop bad AZ8, and is particularly enamored of singer Woojin. Since the band has a new release big contest to win tickets by posting one's dance video, she and Dana are prepared to spend the week reveling in their fandom, but Skylar's parents decide that she is spending far too much time on what they consider to be a silly pursuit, and ground her from all things AZ8 for a week. Beside herself, Skylar goes to school in her ugly brown uniform (complete with mustard yellow socks) wearing her dancing cat ears that are just like Woojin's in one of the band's videos. This, of course, brings her to the attention of the very Ms. Umbridge-like principal, Ms. Callus. Ms. Callus is 71, dresses in twin sets that are often floral, has a helmet like hair do, and really doesn't like children. She confiscates the ears, and Skylar and Dana guess that she will later have a small bonfire and burn them along with other contraband. Since her day has been so horrible, Skylar decides to confront her principal, and when she does, the two scuffle over the ears. Because Skylar's nana has gotten them from a website that sells cheap fakes, there is an electric shock to both of them, and when she wakes up, Skylar has changed bodies with Ms. Callus! This is difficult for both of them, but they figure they only will be in each other's bodies for 24 hours. Skylar gets to experience Ms. Callus' odd and lonely life, and Ms. Callus' gets to spend time being a model child for Skylar's parents. Of course, Skylar takes advantage of this situation to have Dana over and watch all of the videos she wants, and she and Dana even post a dance video. Of course, it ends up winning, and the K-Pop principal goes viral. This brings Ms. Callus to the attention of the board of governors, who aren't terribly pleased, but does result in some innovations at the school. As the days wear on and the two don't switch, they determine that they will have to go to the AZ8 concert, where Ms. Callus' has been invited to dance on stage, even though Ms. Callus' is rather enjoying living with Skylar's family. Will this event be the catalyst for the two to return to their own bodies, having learned to be more empathetic to each other?
Strengths: Since the 1972 title Freaky Friday has not aged well, I guess the time is ripe for more body swapping tales. This had a good method (the wonky ears), and a decent reason, and it's amusing to watch both Skylar and Ms. Callus' come to understand the other's point of view. The over-the-top descriptions of actions and events are similar to another UK import, Cosgrove and Amores' The Worst Week Ever: Monday. Fans of K-Pop will love all of the mentions of dances and fandoms, and there's a nice glossary at the back for those of us who don't quite know what "Stan" means.
Weaknesses: This was very British, and some of the attitudes and comments seem very odd. Ms. Callus' is a caricature of a horrible principal, and she says things about students that would not be acceptable in the US. Since my father was an elementary school principal, I always find the very negative portrayals of principals odd.
What I really think: This had the goofiness with administration seen in Kowitt's The Principal's Underwear is Missing Kim, the K-Pop influence of Kim's Make a Move, Sunny Park! and the dancing (and similar cover) of Chan's Keep Dancing, Lizzie Chu. Interest in K-Pop at my school has never been very big, so I will probably pass on this fast-paced, silly adventure.
Strengths: Since the 1972 title Freaky Friday has not aged well, I guess the time is ripe for more body swapping tales. This had a good method (the wonky ears), and a decent reason, and it's amusing to watch both Skylar and Ms. Callus' come to understand the other's point of view. The over-the-top descriptions of actions and events are similar to another UK import, Cosgrove and Amores' The Worst Week Ever: Monday. Fans of K-Pop will love all of the mentions of dances and fandoms, and there's a nice glossary at the back for those of us who don't quite know what "Stan" means.
Weaknesses: This was very British, and some of the attitudes and comments seem very odd. Ms. Callus' is a caricature of a horrible principal, and she says things about students that would not be acceptable in the US. Since my father was an elementary school principal, I always find the very negative portrayals of principals odd.
What I really think: This had the goofiness with administration seen in Kowitt's The Principal's Underwear is Missing Kim, the K-Pop influence of Kim's Make a Move, Sunny Park! and the dancing (and similar cover) of Chan's Keep Dancing, Lizzie Chu. Interest in K-Pop at my school has never been very big, so I will probably pass on this fast-paced, silly adventure.
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