I try to keep up with authors that I enjoy reading and pick up their latest book releases as they are published, and A.S. King is one of them. Though her books are often very obscure and confusing at times, I enjoy deciphering the meaning behind them and how King may have intended them to come across to readers. Lots of it could be considered up for interpretation, although some of it is laid out more clearly and is easier to understand.

In Switch we are introduced to Tru Beck, a teenager who came across to me as wise beyond her years. Not only does she have to contend with the typical things teens do, such as high school and friendships and her family life at home, she also is living in a fold in time, where though she knows time is moving on without her, it has come to a standstill for the world. It was a little bit mind-bending to try to understand what this meant in the story and how it was affecting Tru and her family, because everyone is still living their lives despite the fact that time as they know it has stopped.

There are quite a few things in this book that aren’t explained in any detail — the switch that is in the center of Tru’s house and the stopping of time, for example. Are these metaphors? Are we readers supposed to know the significance of these occurrences and what they mean? It’s not really clear, and that is often the way A.S. King writes, so I was expecting Switch to be written in an obscure manner; however, if you’re a first-time reader of King you may leave this book unfinished because of how confusing it can be. If you find yourself getting ready to pass by this book, I would encourage you to give it a try with an open mind. You may find that you get a lot more out of it than you thought!

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Dutton Books for Young Readers

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  3 religious exclamations; 7 mild obscenities; 5 derogatory names; 41 scatological words; 10 anatomical terms; 17 F-Word derivatives.

Violence/Gore:  A reference is made to how powerful emotions can be, people can blow up buildings under the influence of strong emotions; child abuse is alluded to and a child reports that their parent is abusing them but it is later confirmed this is not true; a mention is made of a parent “doing time”; a report is made of a girl killing a bird with a screwdriver. 

Sex/Nudity:  A minor mentions choosing a book to read about the American sexual revolution; pleasuring one’s self is referred to; kids speculate about their parents intimacy in a brief scene; rumors about a young girl being picked up by an older boy in his car are spread; a group of students speculate about a teacher and their relationships outside of school; a joke is made about a condom; a love affair is referenced in a story and a red bra is referred to; a report is made of a teacher talking inappropriately with female students; a boy is referred to as a pedophile; a girl puts on a uniform and worries that it’s too tight, mention of how it fits over her breasts; a failed vasectomy is referred to; minors walk in on their parents having sex and a brief scene occurs where they mention that they saw them nude.

Mature Subject Matter:

Mental health; divorce; abandonment; child abuse.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

A teacher is mentioned to often act drunk; a reference is made to a mother being seen at a bar; an adult man drinks wine and offers some to his daughter; a woman is mentioned to be in rehab; a mention is made of a girl having her older sister take her to parties where beer is served; a girl accuses her father of a drug and alcohol problem; a reference is made to smoking weed for relaxation; a minor is reported to vape weed at school; adults drink wine in a brief scene.