The House Swap

In a charming novel positioned as The Parent Trap meets The Holiday, Clark (Glitter Gets Everywhere) centers two 11-year-olds navigating their place within their families. Aspiring spy Allegra “Allie” Greenwood, who lives in a small English village near Bletchley Park, is interpersonally direct but still feels invisible within her bustling family. Shy only child Sage Grayson, who’s into crystals, resides in a big L.A. house, where she’s focused on reminding her parents that they still love one another. When Sage’s mother arranges a girls’ trip for herself and Sage—a house swap with the Greenwood family—and a pet’s illness keeps Allie and her mother from leaving as planned, Allie and Sage quickly become friends. In alternating, distinct voices, they narrate their growing friendship, which involves sharing confidences and conspiring to save Sage’s parents’ marriage by getting her dad to England. Clark cozily portrays Allie’s tight-knit Costwolds village, where Sage is researching her British great-great-grandmother, and establishes both girls’ arc toward learning to talk about their feelings and ask for what they need. Involving some basic spycraft, the result is a likable, low-key tale about life’s surprises as well as the trials and rewards of family life. Main characters cue as white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Elizabeth Bewley, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Feb.)