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Help! I'm Trapped...
Help! I'm Trapped in My Gym Teacher's Body
After an accident causes Jake Sherman to switch bodies with the school's gym teacher, he discovers that being a muscle-bound hunk is not all that great.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1997
7 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Todd Strasser
228 books797 followersTodd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 10, 2009
I thought it created stereotypes in young childrens' minds. Poor book.
February 8, 2012
This is another fun story in the Help! I'm Trapped... series by Todd Strasser. We have read several of the books in this series now and while they are probably more appropriate for children a little bit older than our girls, they still really like them. The stories are fun and usually a bit strange. They often have a moral lesson built in, but the story itself is interesting enough, too.
This story emphasizes the importance of eating healthy and staying fit and active, but also cautions against becoming fit merely for an ego boost. Strong and healthy is more important than just muscle-bound. I thought it was interesting that Jake did not immediately wish to switch back to his own body. Usually it's the primary concern for those involved in the swap, but in this tale, Jake enjoys the benefits of taking Mr. Braun's place for an extended period of time. We enjoyed reading this book independently and discussing the plot and themes together afterward. We will likely look for more of these books at our local library.
This story emphasizes the importance of eating healthy and staying fit and active, but also cautions against becoming fit merely for an ego boost. Strong and healthy is more important than just muscle-bound. I thought it was interesting that Jake did not immediately wish to switch back to his own body. Usually it's the primary concern for those involved in the swap, but in this tale, Jake enjoys the benefits of taking Mr. Braun's place for an extended period of time. We enjoyed reading this book independently and discussing the plot and themes together afterward. We will likely look for more of these books at our local library.
August 14, 2012
I've known about this series since I was a kid, so I decided to read the Kindle version. I guess they changed the text from the paperback as the Kindle version mentions "Iron Man 2", which came out 13 years after the original paperback was published. I thought this book was an okay read, and a really quick read too as it is a children's book.
August 28, 2015
It's full of stereotypes but as a kid I loved it because it was partially about weight-lifting and it already interested me somewhat.
I liked the female characters a lot too. I read it multiple times and although there's a lot of stereotypes which always pisses me off, I still like this book a lot.
I liked the female characters a lot too. I read it multiple times and although there's a lot of stereotypes which always pisses me off, I still like this book a lot.
December 12, 2017
I think this book is funny, what happens in this book is a really crazy accident caused the main character jake had switched bodies with his really strong looking gym teacher.
February 18, 2019
I read this book to our 12 1/2-year-old son and he liked it. We are reading our way quickly through this series of books. The series first caught our eye with the one about being trapped in the President's body, because our son loves all things presidential. This one wasn't my favorite, but it was definitely interesting. It's interesting about the brain and brawn and how people are attracted to one or the other, and most people really actually enjoy a combination of both;-)
June 17, 2021
This one was even worse than the last one
March 20, 2010
funny book
August 14, 2010
A nice story.
April 26, 2015
Good, quick, entertaining read. Great for reluctant junior high school readers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews