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mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
What if the magic lamp that is supposed to be a prop turns out to be real? What will you wish?
Ruby and Skylar make an accidental wish for each to take the other's life, because they both think that each of their lives is terrible and they all want the other's life. And so it happens. But they will find out that maybe it seems like a fun idea to switch lives, it isn't as fun after a while. I had tons of fun reading this one especially given the huge amount of character growth both characters experience.
Ruby is our celebrity girl and all she wants is to just eat all she can, sleep even more, and just have a regular life with tons of books and fun. However as a celebrity this is a life she cannot have. Yes, she is famous, yes she is a celebrity, yes she is working as the main for a show that is immensely popular with everyone (has been for years), but she is tired of it. And I can well imagine. She has been in this show for 4 years, since she was 8. She has had a strict schedule since then, it must be tiring and frustrating at times. Not to mention that her mom, she has no dad, is mostly seeming to care only about her and the fame her daughter has.
Then there is Skylar, she recently moved due to her parents going through a divorce and she is not a happy camper. She wants her dad, she wants her best friend, and her school life is also terrible with a couple of popular girls making her life hell. She is a giant fan of Ruby though and finds happiness and relief in the show and in collecting all there is about it.
After a big bullying event Skylar manages to get on the site of Ruby's show and so they meet. And so the chaos begins.
It was great fun to see how each girl reacted to the change and also how the first hours went (chaotic and stressful but also hilarious). I loved that each of them got a chance to see the other's life and experience the differences, but also see why each girl got tired of the life they had. Skylar learns that fame and money is fun but that you can't trust anyone, you have to keep to a strict regime, and oh yes, your mom is even more absent than normally. Ruby learns that while a normal life is fun there are tons of things that aren't easy or nice. Each one of the girls found something they loved, plus Skylar found something very big and I am so so happy for her.
There were a few moments that had me shaking my head. Like how Scarlet just kept using the creditcard for things like breakfast or an expensive dress, and just wouldn't understand that normal people don't just do that. I get that she has been living in fame for 4 years, but I had expected her to have a bit clearer head about how money works and that not everyone can just spend money like that, especially given that it is an EMERGENCY creditcard, that should already throw a ton of warning signs. Then again, maybe this is also a culture thing. I can't imagine anyone giving a child a credit card in my country, but then again credit cards are normally not even used here. My fiance and I only got one because we buy stuff from outside of our country quite a few times and sites often require those. Even more confusing, even if it is normal to just give credit cards to your child, why not set a very low limit on it? I know you can set a limit on how much one can spend, at least on the cards one gets here. So you could just set it to like 50 dollars and anything that is over that is a no-no.
I also didn't like how Ruby kept breaking out of the Skylar character. I get that she LOVES books, and that she wants to read and spread the joy, but now it just feels weird and out of place. She even hurt Skylar's mom due to the things she said. Again, I get that she wants to read, but maybe keep it more on the down low. Then there is the fact that despite Skylar's warnings and what she said Ruby just went along with the bullies. *rolls eyes*
There was one big moment that made both characters see that maybe things aren't so hunkydory, and yes, I did roll my eyes a bit at how things escalated, I am still happy to see it added. It was definitely a moment that was needed given how things were headed. We needed a big bang to finish this off.
The hiccuping thing? A very interesting touch, haven't seen that happen when a character gets frightened/has anxiety.Though I did feel sorry for her especially given how loud these hiccups were (loud enough to sound like a big fat burp).
The ending, well it definitely made me smile. It is a happy ending for each character and I am happy that Ruby and Skylar are still best friends (though I do hope that Skylar got rid of all the Ruby stuff in her room). :P
All in all, I could probably talk much much more about this book, but I think I have said the most important things I wanted to say. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. Fame, real problems, friendship, body switching, wishes, and more.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Ruby and Skylar make an accidental wish for each to take the other's life, because they both think that each of their lives is terrible and they all want the other's life. And so it happens. But they will find out that maybe it seems like a fun idea to switch lives, it isn't as fun after a while. I had tons of fun reading this one especially given the huge amount of character growth both characters experience.
Ruby is our celebrity girl and all she wants is to just eat all she can, sleep even more, and just have a regular life with tons of books and fun. However as a celebrity this is a life she cannot have. Yes, she is famous, yes she is a celebrity, yes she is working as the main for a show that is immensely popular with everyone (has been for years), but she is tired of it. And I can well imagine. She has been in this show for 4 years, since she was 8. She has had a strict schedule since then, it must be tiring and frustrating at times. Not to mention that her mom, she has no dad, is mostly seeming to care only about her and the fame her daughter has.
Then there is Skylar, she recently moved due to her parents going through a divorce and she is not a happy camper. She wants her dad, she wants her best friend, and her school life is also terrible with a couple of popular girls making her life hell. She is a giant fan of Ruby though and finds happiness and relief in the show and in collecting all there is about it.
After a big bullying event Skylar manages to get on the site of Ruby's show and so they meet. And so the chaos begins.
It was great fun to see how each girl reacted to the change and also how the first hours went (chaotic and stressful but also hilarious). I loved that each of them got a chance to see the other's life and experience the differences, but also see why each girl got tired of the life they had. Skylar learns that fame and money is fun but that you can't trust anyone, you have to keep to a strict regime, and oh yes, your mom is even more absent than normally. Ruby learns that while a normal life is fun there are tons of things that aren't easy or nice. Each one of the girls found something they loved, plus Skylar found something very big and I am so so happy for her.
There were a few moments that had me shaking my head. Like how Scarlet just kept using the creditcard for things like breakfast or an expensive dress, and just wouldn't understand that normal people don't just do that. I get that she has been living in fame for 4 years, but I had expected her to have a bit clearer head about how money works and that not everyone can just spend money like that, especially given that it is an EMERGENCY creditcard, that should already throw a ton of warning signs. Then again, maybe this is also a culture thing. I can't imagine anyone giving a child a credit card in my country, but then again credit cards are normally not even used here. My fiance and I only got one because we buy stuff from outside of our country quite a few times and sites often require those. Even more confusing, even if it is normal to just give credit cards to your child, why not set a very low limit on it? I know you can set a limit on how much one can spend, at least on the cards one gets here. So you could just set it to like 50 dollars and anything that is over that is a no-no.
I also didn't like how Ruby kept breaking out of the Skylar character. I get that she LOVES books, and that she wants to read and spread the joy, but now it just feels weird and out of place. She even hurt Skylar's mom due to the things she said. Again, I get that she wants to read, but maybe keep it more on the down low. Then there is the fact that despite Skylar's warnings and what she said Ruby just went along with the bullies. *rolls eyes*
There was one big moment that made both characters see that maybe things aren't so hunkydory, and yes, I did roll my eyes a bit at how things escalated, I am still happy to see it added. It was definitely a moment that was needed given how things were headed. We needed a big bang to finish this off.
The hiccuping thing? A very interesting touch, haven't seen that happen when a character gets frightened/has anxiety.Though I did feel sorry for her especially given how loud these hiccups were (loud enough to sound like a big fat burp).
The ending, well it definitely made me smile. It is a happy ending for each character and I am happy that Ruby and Skylar are still best friends (though I do hope that Skylar got rid of all the Ruby stuff in her room). :P
All in all, I could probably talk much much more about this book, but I think I have said the most important things I wanted to say. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. Fame, real problems, friendship, body switching, wishes, and more.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
miraihappyends's review against another edition
5.0
Better You Than Me is a book I needed back when I was twelve. It wasn't that long ago that I was in Ruby and Skylar's (mostly Skylar's) shoes, wishing that I had a different life. Like both girls I had my escape through fiction. I got myself completely invested in stories and characters, and that was what got me through middle school. I guess that would explain why I was able to finish this book in one sitting, something I haven't achieved in a while. It was very personal for me as someone who could relate to these girls' struggles. Well, a good deal of them at least.
Moving on from the more personal part of this review, my actual rating would be more of a 4.5/5. A 4/5 just doesn't seem to be enough. I grew to really like Ruby and Skylar and I got genuinely invested in their stories. This novel wasn't anything profound, but I did like the messages behind it, and they strongly resonated with me even though I'm now far enough beyond the days of middle school angst. I guess another reason why this was so easy to get into was because it wasn't trying too hard. A majority of stories focused on kids/teens tend to overemphasize/misuse slang and whatnot to try and be "hip" while failing miserably. It wasn't overdramatic, either. The story felt real, and I really enjoyed that.
Barnes & Noble recommended this book to me because I bought another one of the author's books, The Chaos of Standing Still, which I haven't gotten a chance to read yet, but I'm definitely going to read it next. I saw "Freaky Friday meets Hannah Montana" in the summary for this, and as someone who had a Hannah Montana phase on par with Skylar's Ruby of the Lamp obsession, I had to give this a read. I'm happy I did, because if I didn't have it recommended to me, I might not have ever known about it otherwise. This was just a really nice read, and as cheesy as it is (though I am a sappy person who loves a good cliche), it was a nice reminder to not be afraid to be yourself. I almost wish I could travel back in time and give this to my 12-year old self to read, but then again, be careful what you wish for, right?
Moving on from the more personal part of this review, my actual rating would be more of a 4.5/5. A 4/5 just doesn't seem to be enough. I grew to really like Ruby and Skylar and I got genuinely invested in their stories. This novel wasn't anything profound, but I did like the messages behind it, and they strongly resonated with me even though I'm now far enough beyond the days of middle school angst. I guess another reason why this was so easy to get into was because it wasn't trying too hard. A majority of stories focused on kids/teens tend to overemphasize/misuse slang and whatnot to try and be "hip" while failing miserably. It wasn't overdramatic, either. The story felt real, and I really enjoyed that.
Spoiler
And can I just say that I absolutely loved the girls' realization at the end? Both of them changing back because they just wanted to tell their moms they loved them... I'm a sucker for positive things like that, what can I say. Overall the ending was really satisfying.Barnes & Noble recommended this book to me because I bought another one of the author's books, The Chaos of Standing Still, which I haven't gotten a chance to read yet, but I'm definitely going to read it next. I saw "Freaky Friday meets Hannah Montana" in the summary for this, and as someone who had a Hannah Montana phase on par with Skylar's Ruby of the Lamp obsession, I had to give this a read. I'm happy I did, because if I didn't have it recommended to me, I might not have ever known about it otherwise. This was just a really nice read, and as cheesy as it is (though I am a sappy person who loves a good cliche), it was a nice reminder to not be afraid to be yourself. I almost wish I could travel back in time and give this to my 12-year old self to read, but then again, be careful what you wish for, right?
nataliesboooks's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute read with an important message. I loved both Ruby and Skylar - they were both fun characters. Jessica Brody has become a new favorite author for sure!
sailorscoutmegan's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so ADORABLE. It's sad how I can relate to a 12 year old's obsession of a celebrity, but I really could lol. Maybe I should learn a few lessons for this book...
Anyway, I'm such a sucker for body swap stories and this book did not disappoint! It was a long book for a middle grade, which was not a bad thing. I had a lot of fun going on the journey with Ruby and Skylar and both characters were very interesting. Jessica Brody has a way of writing likable characters! I'm glad I didn't wait around to pick up this read. It was perfect for what I needed out of a book at that moment.
Anyway, I'm such a sucker for body swap stories and this book did not disappoint! It was a long book for a middle grade, which was not a bad thing. I had a lot of fun going on the journey with Ruby and Skylar and both characters were very interesting. Jessica Brody has a way of writing likable characters! I'm glad I didn't wait around to pick up this read. It was perfect for what I needed out of a book at that moment.
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Ruby is 12 and is the star of a TV show. The thing is, she used to love it but now she feels stuck. Her mom doesn't hear any of Ruby's protests and it also seems like with her mom's expensive habits, they need Ruby to keep this job so they can survive.
Skylar is also 12 and Loves Ruby's TV show. She would give anything to meet Ruby. She even sneaks onto the set to see if she can make it happen.
Imagine both of their total surprise when they magically switch places after a slight mishap with a closet and a magic lamp!
Very predictable read. I like Brody's books for YA better. However, I had this on my desk and one of my students saw it and wants to read it, so it definitely has appeal for the middle school audience. No swearing, no violence. A tiny bit of kissing. For 5th -8th grade.
Skylar is also 12 and Loves Ruby's TV show. She would give anything to meet Ruby. She even sneaks onto the set to see if she can make it happen.
Imagine both of their total surprise when they magically switch places after a slight mishap with a closet and a magic lamp!
Very predictable read. I like Brody's books for YA better. However, I had this on my desk and one of my students saw it and wants to read it, so it definitely has appeal for the middle school audience. No swearing, no violence. A tiny bit of kissing. For 5th -8th grade.
emandm2222's review against another edition
4.0
*actual rating is 3.5 stars*
When a prop for Ruby Rivera’s television show swaps seventh-grader Skylar Welshman’s life of junior high school drama for Ruby’s life of celebrity, the tweens are ecstatic. They slowly learn, however, that no one has a “perfect life;” everyone has problems and insecurities. But are their borrowed bodies’ problems easier to deal with than their own? A lighthearted take on Freaky Friday tackles topics of body image, bullying, and the difficulties of fame.
When a prop for Ruby Rivera’s television show swaps seventh-grader Skylar Welshman’s life of junior high school drama for Ruby’s life of celebrity, the tweens are ecstatic. They slowly learn, however, that no one has a “perfect life;” everyone has problems and insecurities. But are their borrowed bodies’ problems easier to deal with than their own? A lighthearted take on Freaky Friday tackles topics of body image, bullying, and the difficulties of fame.
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