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Recycler
Recycler
Author: Lauren McLaughlin
How do you grow up, if who you are keeps changing? — Jill McTeague is not your average high school graduate, she’s a scientific anomaly. Every month for four days she turns into Jack, a guy—complete with all the parts. Now everyone in her hometown knows that something very weird is up with her. So what’s a girl (and a guy...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780375851957
ISBN-10: 037585195X
Publication Date: 8/25/2009
Pages: 288
Edition: 1
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 4

4.3 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
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GeniusJen avatar reviewed Recycler on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

The characters from CYCLER are back in (RE)CYCLER for a sequel. If you're like me, I was confused at first when I kept seeing (RE)CYCLER listed as a future release. The synopsis kept repeating the same blurb that was the CYCLER synopsis. But I finally stumbled across the book at the book store and realized that this was indeed the continuation of the story of Jill and Jack.

The total humiliation that was the prom has passed and Jill has graduated from high school. Her future is undefined. She has the option of traveling across country with Tommy or moving to New York City with Ramie. Jill is torn, but she chooses New York City, in part because it will benefit Jack, as well. Tommy is saddened that she won't join him, but he understands. So he sets off without her.

Jack is overjoyed at the prospect of having actual freedom. He's been confined to their bedroom for his entire existence. But now he has Ramie all to himself during his four days each month. But Jill is missing Tommy. With the help of Ramie, Jill is determined to get over him and her broken heart.

The story takes places in alternating Jack and Jill chapters during the course of the fall. Jill becomes more confident in herself while Jack faces some hard truths of what he thought and what is reality. During this time, Ramie seems to be pulling away from both Jill and Jack. Jill can handle the separation, but it is tearing Jack apart.

(RE)CYCLER shows more depth in the characters than was seen in CYCLER. Jill and Jack are learning to live within the confines of one body and are learning to accept each other. The two begin to interact with the world around them. Though most of the people they encounter still are unaware of the fact they are the same person, the two create unique situations that come to creative resolutions.

I am unsure if there will be another book in the series, but Ms. McLaughlin leaves some loose threads that could easily be woven into another chapter of the story. I for one would love to see how it actually plays out with the square that is Ramie, Tommy, Jack, and Jill.

***Note: There is a lot of frank discussion of sex, so this is best reserved for the more mature reader.***


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