Weird things happen at Mission Springs, the boarding school that Chi-Chi attends on scholarship. So far there’s been a kid spontaneously catching on fire, a sudden sinkhole and a swimmer falling into an unexplained coma. So would it really be that crazy for Flip Henderson—the latest of the unattainable rich boys that Chi-Chi keeps falling for—to accept her promposal?
Apparently, yes. After Flip turns her down in front of their entire English class, a humiliated Chi-Chi flees, only to be caught in a sudden rainstorm outside. Despite taking a fall and blacking out, she’s able to make it back to her dorm. The next morning, she wakes up—in Flip’s body. And Flip’s in hers.
The two continue to swap bodies, often at inopportune times. Until they find a solution, they’ll have to live convincingly as each other. For Flip, that means getting familiar with Chi-Chi’s nerdy, loving friends, as well as her working-class Nigerian family. And Chi-Chi learns that Flip’s life, while extraordinarily privileged, is more complicated than it seems.
There’s never a dull moment in Flip (First Second, $25.99, 9781250179524), which jumps seamlessly between delightful humor and tender introspection. Ngozi Ukazu, creator of the Check Please! series, suffuses the heartfelt narrative with a vibrant energy that pairs perfectly with her colorful, dynamic illustrations. A compelling exploration of self-acceptance, Flip stands out with its lively cast and masterful pacing.
