The Boy Who Reversed Himself

This was one of the first books I read when I discovered William Sleator back in high school, and it remains a favorite of mine. A young girl starts having bizarre encounters with the new boy next door. He seems to know more about her than he should, and begins showing up places he couldn't be, like inside her closed locker. Things get even more bizarre when Omar's facial features inexplicably flip over to a mirror image of himself. With a little persuasion, Laura cracks the truth -- Omar has the ability to step into the fourth dimension, and now that she knows about it Laura won't rest until she makes the journey with him. The resultant story is a nice little fable about power and responsibility. Sleator crafts some very well-rounded characters in this novel, and neatly manages the rather difficult trick of guiding the readers through visualizing an extra dimension that the human mind can't comprehend. Ultimately, like Sleator's best work, the high concept is a stepping point to examine what sort of people he's writing about and what sort of world could develop if that concept were carried through to its logical conclusion. This is one of my favorite Sleator books, and an excellent book to bring to a young reader who wants to dabble in science fiction.

William Sleator does an incredible job with this book. I first read it when I was in junior high and now, more than a decade later, I still enjoy this book. It starts with Laura finding a note in her locker that is written backwards. At first she thinks it is a joke, but that starts to change as she befriends a boy who has just moved into her neighborhood. And then she discovers his secret-- the ability to travel into the 4th dimension! After that the book just keeps getting better until the very last line! Sleator's imagination and writing is excellent. I highly recommend this book to all sci-fi fans, regardless of age-- you will not be dissappointed..

Here's a summary:This girl named Laura finds a note in her locker in mirror writing, and is confused because she did'nt know who it was from.So one day she forgets her homework but she finds it in her locker, but in mirror writing.She is so depressed/angry she changes the locker number without knowing and it ends up locked in her locker and this boy named Omar gets it, but is confused because he seems to be reversed. To know the rest, you'll just have to read it!

This is one of the most interesting books that I have ever read. I couldn't put it down, and when I was done, I wanted to read it all over again. This story is for all ages, and will satisfy any interest.

I read this book when I was in about grade six. I'm now in grade 12 and still believe it to be the greatest book. I now read Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Peter Straub!! If you hate to read or find books boring or love to read this is the perfect book for you.