In Game Changer, Neal Shusterman takes on a topic that I wish more YA novels would tackle (football pun intended): privilege, and specifically the process that many privileged folks go through of discovering that 1. the world is not just and 2. it's unjust in your favor. Ash is a white, straight, male, able-bodied football player, but a quirk in the space-time continuum soon introduces him to the lived experience of identities he'd only ever observed from a distance. As he spins through parallel universes that range from mildly disorientating to deeply troubling, he changes in ways both visible (new money, new sexual orientation, new gender) and invisible (new understanding of abuse, new relationship with his brother), eventually returning "home" with a far more expansive comprehension of himself and of the people around him.

If it sounds a little pat, that's because it is. One of the things that seems tough about writing about privilege from the inside, and maybe one of the reasons relatively few authors choose to attempt it, is because it inherently centers the story on the character who is mostly likely to get top billing anyway. For most of the book, Ash is literally the center of the universe, and while that seems like a pretty uncomfortable place to be for him, a less-than-generous summary of this book might be: a black kid, a gay kid, and a girl help to facilitate the emotional development of a privileged white boy, helping him to become more empathetic.

The tough thing is that this is exactly how many of us do learn about our privilege, by having it pointed out to us by people whose identities we don't share, or by entering spaces where our identities are not glorified in the way that we're used to. At its best, Game Changer explores the way that our universe changes all the time, even without the help of multidimensional beings. We learn something new about ourselves or about each other, we get a little less selfish and a little more curious, and we undertake the never-ending journey toward becoming more aware of the ways the world tips in our favor. As a teacher of mostly white students in an overwhelmingly white state, I am constantly on the lookout for stories that will help my white students start this process without unfairly burdening students of color, and I can absolutely appreciate Game Changer as an effort in the right direction, imperfect though it may be. And I'm grateful that Shusterman is the one writing this story, which, like all his books, is face-paced and animated by compelling and believable young people even if it does sometimes feel like a vehicle for an afterschool special. I will buy this book for my classroom when it is published, as I do all of Shusterman's novels.

That said, the audience for this book does feel necessarily limited by its subject matter. It's hard for me to imagine my black and/or gay students having much patience for a story about a kid realizing that the world really is pretty crappy for folks with marginalized identities and that he should work harder to fix it. I also anticipate that other educators will likely have different responses to the book—frankly, I'm excited for the way that talking about it might help me to recognize some of my own blindspots. Game Changer isn't perfect, but the conversations it seems poised to inspire are ones we desperately need to be having.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC!

Wow, what an exciting, interesting and compelling story! Seventeen year old Ash Bowman is a linebacker for his school's football team. One day he ends up getting hit too hard and feels something strange happen. After the game things seem normal until he's driving home and misses a stop sign...a blue stop sign. Ash starts to notice that things aren't quite the same, and soon learns that he's somehow travelled to an alternate reality. But how did he end up there and can he find his way back to the world he came from, or will things only get worse?

I have really enjoyed reading this book, in fact I was so engrossed in the story I read almost the entire book in one day, real life being the only thing that made me have to put the book down! As Ash enters an alternate version of our world, the changes he sees seem insignificant at first and his mind reassures him that things are normal, but soon he finds himself travelling to very different worlds, where things there just get stranger and stranger and where some very serious issues end up affecting his life and that of his friends. I've always loved science fiction stories that focus on alternate dimensions or realities so when I was offered the chance to read this I was so excited and knew that I'd love it!

Ash's adventure through different realities seems simple at first with only minor changes to the world, but soon the worlds he ends up in are very different from the others and some very serious societal issues we face in our world today are brought up and in a way discussed through Ash's narrative and perspective on things. The story is told from Ash's point of view in the first person narrative and while Ash travels and experiences different versions of the world and himself, he ends up thinking a lot and philosophising on things like racism and the wider world. I don't want to spoil anything by saying exacly what happens but each new world brings with it more and more problems like racism and homophobia and these issues are given a lot of thought through Ash's voice. Although at first this book seems like a simple sci-fi story of travelling to different worlds it soon becomes a sort of commentry on things we experience in our world today. Whether of not you'll like this though depends on the individual reading it. For me, although it was overall a good paced story, I did feel that a few times this philosophising and commentary on things did slow down the pacing of the story a little and were occassionally overly discussed to the point where I felt like saying 'I get it'.

There are a few references in the story to things that have happened in our recent world like certain protests and even covid gets a mention (which to be honest I didn't personally like as I'm trying to get away from reading about anything covid-related), but these events mentioned seem to set the story a little ahead into our future, at a time when covid at least doesn't seem to really be an issue anymore. The different worlds that Ash experiences are all very interesting and I have to admit to enjoying a few of the moments when he suddenly shifts to a new reality. There were a few moments where the twists genuinly shocked or made me smile. I never saw the twists coming in the story or in the worlds that Ash was going to be in next and I love how different they all were and the different issues that were brought up with each new reality.

The science fiction part of the story isn't too heavy to follow, but I did like the descriptions of what was happening to the world and Elsewhere. I also loved the Edwards and all the different names conjured up for them made me laugh. And although the commentary on difficult topics like the racism, etc slowed down the pacing a bit, which has been mentioned by a few reviewers, it wasn't too big a deal for me and I did enjoy a lot of what Ash was thinking about and the wider issues he encountered around racism, sexism, etc.

At the start of the book (at least in the pre-publication digital proof I was given) the author himself speaks about how this book was important for him to write and how it also sacred him to write it. The issues discussed are certainly important in today's world, now more than ever, and by seeing things play out in fiction I really did enjoy what was discussed and the way it made you think about it even after reading. There is a bit of swearing in the book with use of the f word as well as milder. There are also descriptions of things that happen which can be upsetting to some such as abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia, although to me these felt well handled and I like the way that the story went.

There's a good conclusion with such dramatic things happening right through to the last chapter. Even the final chapter, although it's one I enjoyed, did shock me a couple of times and left the story in a good way. I liked what happened to most of the characters though I felt sad about one thing that was concluded. This really was a brilliant book and a very compelling read from start to finish, even with all the societal commentary. On the surface this feels like a fun science fiction story focusing on the alternate realities that we could all be living in and all the fun that goes along with that. But this book also resonates deeper and I did like the messages and questions the book posed about our wider world, though this itself slowed down the pacing a little and a couple of times, I felt, the message or points had been overstated.

I feel a little conficted because, while at times I felt like the author really over-mentioned some things slowing down the pacing, these issues are at the core of our society today, and while some in the world may not experience the problems facing some of the characters, others obviously and painfully do. This book feels like an important one to read and one which will probably be discussed a lot in the future. It's certainly a great science fiction story which kept me engrossed and is full of twists and turns with an ending that's good. But unlike previous books I'ver read by the author (the Scythe series and Dry) this book feels more more philisophical and slower than some of Shusterman's work. Overall though, despite the pacing that only partly affected the story, I would still really recommend this book! It's a brilliant story in general and because of what it discusses, I think it makes for important reading too.

I really love Shusterman’s novel and I was very eager to read Game Changer. I really loved the idea behind it. It reminded me of David Levithan’s Everyday and a bit of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Ash was a great narrator and while some of his choices and perspectives were suspect I do believe he was on a path for the right reasons. I don’t think anything should be left up to one person to make happen, but if it’s foisted on you then make it count. I believe that Ash tries that and tries hard. Tackling issues around BLM, Me Too, LGBTQ+, family, etc. can’t be easy for any author and yet Shusterman does it all. Props to him. Does he do it well? I think he does. It’s relevant and applicable and young readers will dig it.

This is a quick read that should appeal to anyone who needs a quick lessons on how your actions affect others. The main character discovers that his actions sincerely affect his world and the world of others. And as he continues to make changes that are both intentional and unintentional, he learns from his actions every time he resets within a world.‘ I could see this book being a great book club book for a high school class because there’s a lot to discuss here. And it is written in such a way that It would appeal to boys too! 3.5 stars of 5.

After taking a real hard hit during a football game Ash finds himself in altered versions of life has he knew it. The author takes on a bunch of tough heavy social topics and tries to get the reader to empathize with others experiences but maybe it was just to many topics in one book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, misspelling, and grammar errors in this review are all on own.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Game Changer by Neal Shusterman.

Side note, I got to briefly meet Shusterman at a YA book convention last year right before the world shut down. It made my day, he's so so brilliant.

And of course he KNOCKS it out of the park again with this incredible novel. It was a bit of Stephen King, a bit of John Green, and a lot of Shustermagic.

I have to first point out that I can see this book being a bit polarizing. It does not try at all to veil the fact that it's diving deep into the issues of modern racism, intimate partner violence, homophobia, the sins of America's past and present. The main character is a young white male of privilege, so it could also be said that it smacks of white/straight saviorism.

I'm not going to defend or excuse it, because it is what it is, and people are absolutely allowed to feel how they feel. I've seen reviews that are across the board on all fronts.

Having said that, I loved it. Not just for the statements of a need for social justice, but it was just SUCH a cool story. Because that's what Shusterman does, he writes stories that I chomp into like a pit bull and refuse to let go. It was so clever, the dialogue was witty and fun, the different "timelines" that the character traveled to, and the multiple experiences he had were all eye opening. For me, this was well worth the read, and one of the more captivating books I've read in a while.

. As a fan of Shusterman, I couldn't wait to read his new story. I was engaged and intrigued from the beginning. The writing is superb as usual. However, I feel this story took on too many hot topic issues and they couldn't be fully explored. I admire the attempt, but I feel it could have been narrowed down to one or two topics. I will still recommend the book to fans of his work and I will recommend that my library purchase it.

Every hard-hitting tackle leads Ash into a different reality reminiscent of the old TV show Quantum Leap. These different realities demonstrate different outcomes of our society (example: segregation is in place). Ultimately, this is an interesting concept, but execution isn’t engaging for the reader. The pace is slow. There is no action as this is a social commentary novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advance Kindle copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Ash Bowman is a linebacker for his high school football team. After a hard hit one game, he discovers that his world is altered. Over the course of the story, hard hits change Ash’s reality over and over again; can he set things back to “normal”? The author attempts to cover some heavy topics: racism, abusive teen relationships, and sexuality. However, the writing wasn’t great, and with a few minor tweaks (taking out details that were not that important to the story), the author could have widened his audience to include middle school readers. This one is out 2/2 and is best for readers in grades 9+.

It was supposed to be another football game for Ash, but after one fateful hit … his life isn’t the same. It starts with small differences. Stop signs are now blue and no one else remembers them being red. He soon finds out that he was hit into another dimension and it doesn’t stop. Each new dimension takes him further from his original world. Some changes are world-changing and some only affected him. Even though some things are wonderful, Ash wants to go back to his world before the changes. Will Ash be able to control the shift and get what he wants? What will he learn about himself and society as he travels through these alternate dimensions?

Game Changer is a stand-alone story that is hard to put into a single genre. Readers will need to suspend disbelief as Ash travels through dimensions, but everything else falls firmly in a realistic fiction story. Shusterman takes many hard topics and weaves them into this storyline and readers will grapple with their feelings as Ash grapples with his. I was worried when the book opened with a sports scene, but this isn’t a sports book. It is a fun yet serious read that happens to have sports included.

When I started reading, I thought it was about sports related head injuries. Then I realized it was deeper than that...
It used that premise to create alternate versions of the world, where the main character was in different circumstances, and was given a chance to “right” things. With each version, he gained a better understanding of why his actions/ inactions were wrong.
A powerful, thought-provoking read.

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman truly made me think. We follow Ash, a straight, white, male as he becomes the literal center of the universe and confronts racism, gender issues, sexuality, his own family, privilege, and more. It all starts with a hit on the football field and Ash slides into another universe. A universe where, at first, Ash has gotten everything he has ever wanted. He soon finds this is not the case...AT ALL. Each time he moves into another universe the incremental changes start to pile up, and it becomes a race against time for Ash to find his way back to his (original) universe before everything blinks out of existence. Along the way, Ash is challenged by his long-standing assumptions and opens his eyes to other possibilities. I like to think that if Ash can get back to his home, he will be responsible for incredible changes throughout his life. Shusterman tackles a multitude of issues, but he does it with precision, wit, and thoughtfulness.

This is the perfect book to get students to start a conversation about race and privilege. I think many students will relate to and enjoy the football aspect of the novel. This is also a great introduction to speculative fiction. Introducing time travel and how it relates to issues many students are dealing with. I think this would also be a great classroom read.

While I appreciate the author's efforts to address current social justice issues, this book felt a little heavy handed with the "lessons" Ash was learning as he moved through each reality. Racial issues and injustices? Check. Homosexuality and hate crimes? Check. Sexism? Check. Abusive relationships? Check. Drug dealing? Check. It was too much for one book - none of the topics were developed on a deeper level and the characters seemed one dimensional. Usually, Neal Shusterman is a must-read, and this book did hold my attention, but it didn't leave me with lingering questions or anything to think about when it was over.

I've been a Shusterman fan for a very long time. I find that he is able to convincingly build worlds that feel realistic and true while incorporating dystopian elements. His books always make me think and wonder, especially about social issues and morality. I have to say this newest offering missed the mark for me. I see the intent behind this story and think it's important, but I do not think the execution was strong. As always, this book is entirely original and creative, but it felt like Shusterman threw in a little too much too fast. I hope the YA audience enjoys it more than I did and is able to learn from the story.

I thought this would be a realistic fiction story about a football player dealing with brain injuries from too many hits. Nope. It was about a football player who is somehow a “chosen one” who can change which plane of reality we all live in when he gets hit too hard. One of many multiverse novels that have come out this year, this novel explores racism, abuse, and social determinism in an accessible way as we follow Ashley living through many "lives."

More often than not, I love Neal Shusterman's books; his writing style pulls me in and I get so wrapped up in his stories that most I finish in one sitting... Game Changer is a miss for me. While the plot had potential, it needed more editing. There are too many difficult topics that are treated too lightly. And, some of the social issues felt too forced. I will admit that I have a bias regarding concussions and how seriously they can affect an athlete. Therefore, the choice to make light of Ash's head injuries by using them as the catalyst that changes dimensions left me upset from start to finish. I did find the 2nd half much better than the 1st half of the book, however, by that point, it was too late-- as a reference to how much I struggled with this title: it took me 74 days to finish. If it hadn't been one of Neal Shusterman's titles, I wouldn't have finished it at all.
2.5 stars

Just like Challenger Deep, this book was an exhilarating and sometimes deep ride through the psyche. The idea that we could alter the course of other lives in small but meaningful ways is intriguing. Although Ash (Ashley) didn’t ask for it, his ability to impact other lives was something I haven’t read before. I do wish the connection with Katie had been better explained, but maybe it would be clearer upon a second read through.

Wow! @nealshusterman has done it again! His mind, his art, and development of the story took me to Ash’s strange, unique, and frightening experience.

Every hard hit during Ash’s football game triggers a new time travel to a parallel universe experience. He never knows what form, time period, or home he is going to be a part of. He experiences so many injustices from each time, but is Ash there to fix the world? Or is he looking for a better world where “the worst things” never happened? If Ash can get this right, he may just be able to make changes the size of “not just a ripple, but a wave”! Is that what the world truly needs?
Young Adult read

I enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of Neal Shusterman's writing. I think that this book followed a really interesting plot and character.