Double Switch - Level 25-26

In Double Switch, Jordan Blake is mistaken for a spy because of his lanky build, distinctive nose, and his mother's insistence on his unusual attire-a long coat and hat. Unexpectedly, Jordan becomes entangled in a spy ring, caught in a swirl of intrigue when he is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Throughout the story, Jordan is persistently followed by Maggie, an unwelcome admirer whose constant attention unexpectedly becomes his saving grace. The novel employs a punchy, humorous prose style, enhanced with illustrations that highlight key moments. The text cleverly incorporates compound words, idiomatic figures of speech such as "almost jumped out of his skin" and "ran like lightning," and irony, particularly in character interactions. Double Switch is a rich resource for introducing and reinforcing skills such as prediction, inference, narrative structure analysis, and vocabulary development related to compound words and suffixes. Themes of humour and relationships run throughout, engaging readers while developing critical literacy skills.

Educational Benefits:

• Develops inference skills to draw conclusions from text and illustrations
• Enhances vocabulary through compound words and idiomatic expressions
• Encourages understanding of narrative structure and author's intention
• Builds prediction and discussion skills through mystery elements

Classroom Ideas:

• Predict what might happen next using clues in the text
• Explore compound words and create a class list with examples
• Analyse the use of irony and its effect on the story's humour
• Map the storyline visually using a sequence chart or graphic organiser

Information:

• Ages: 9-11 years
• Reading Level: 25-26 (Emerald)
• Dimensions: Standard paperback size approx. 210 x 150 mm