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The Copycat
A funny, unpredictable, and heartfelt new novel from Wendy McLeod MacKnight, the author of The Frame-Up. Ali has always acted like a copycat to make friends, but when she unexpectedly inherits the ability to change her appearance at will, fitting in seems impossible! Luckily, with the help of her family, new friends, and a touch of magic, Ali might just survive middle school after all. A great pick for fans of Dan Gemeinhart, Erin Entrada Kelly, and Diana Wynne Jones.
Ali and her parents have moved at least once a year for as long as Ali can remember. She’s attended six different schools, lived in dozens of apartments, and never really felt at home anywhere. But Ali’s parents say living in Saint John, New Brunswick, will be different. They’ve moved in with Ali’s great-grandmother—a spunky 99-year-old with a quirky old house that has room for all of them. Ali wants to believe this will be their last move, but everything seems too perfect to be true.
To Ali’s surprise, things are different this time, but not in the way she hoped. She’s finally inherited the Sloane family powers—the ability to change her appearance into any living thing. Ali is a Copycat. Literally. And being the new kid at school is hard enough without worrying about losing control of your powers and turning into your teacher. Luckily, Ali’s new friends are eager to help her use her newfound power. But as Ali soon learns, being a Copycat is no substitute for being yourself.
Wendy McLeod MacKnight’s The Copycat is an imaginative and surprising middle-school story about friendship, family, and self-confidence that is perfect for fans of John David Anderson’s Posted and Katherine Applegate’s Wishtree.
Ali and her parents have moved at least once a year for as long as Ali can remember. She’s attended six different schools, lived in dozens of apartments, and never really felt at home anywhere. But Ali’s parents say living in Saint John, New Brunswick, will be different. They’ve moved in with Ali’s great-grandmother—a spunky 99-year-old with a quirky old house that has room for all of them. Ali wants to believe this will be their last move, but everything seems too perfect to be true.
To Ali’s surprise, things are different this time, but not in the way she hoped. She’s finally inherited the Sloane family powers—the ability to change her appearance into any living thing. Ali is a Copycat. Literally. And being the new kid at school is hard enough without worrying about losing control of your powers and turning into your teacher. Luckily, Ali’s new friends are eager to help her use her newfound power. But as Ali soon learns, being a Copycat is no substitute for being yourself.
Wendy McLeod MacKnight’s The Copycat is an imaginative and surprising middle-school story about friendship, family, and self-confidence that is perfect for fans of John David Anderson’s Posted and Katherine Applegate’s Wishtree.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2020
6 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Wendy McLeod MacKnight
6 books92 followersWendy McLeod MacKnight lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, and wrote her debut novel at age nine. During her first career, she worked for the Government of New Brunswick, as the Deputy Minister of Education among other positions. She has been known to wander art galleries and have spirited conversations with the paintings – mostly in her head, though sometimes not. She hopes readers will be inspired after they read The Frame-Up to create their own masterpieces and visit their own local art galleries. And even better, she hopes they’ll come to Fredericton and visit the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and meet Mona and the rest of the characters in the book.
www.wendymcleodmacknight.com
www.wendymcleodmacknight.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 13, 2025
Well, I have certainly and immensely enjoyed some (a select few) parts of Wendy McLeod MacKnight's 2020 middle grade novel The Copycat. For yes, I definitely do adore and very much appreciate the Maritime, St. John New Brunswick, Canada setting for The Copycat and that McLeod MacKnight manages to achieve a very descriptive, realistic and thus also totally authentic feeling sense of geographical place, making St. John come truly and totally alive in The Copycat both with regard to its landmarks and urban buildings as well as with regard to the relentless fog that is indeed part and parcel to the city on a year-round basis (and no, the St. John fog is actually and in fact due to the river and the nearby Bay of Fundy and not because of copycats). But to be perfectly honest, I also would very likely, very definitely have lastingly enjoyed main protagonist Ali Slonae's coming of age story in The Copycat, her never fitting in at school because of her family constantly moving, constantly relocating, the issues of making and breaking friendships, of family dysfunction as well as problematic and ridiculous family feuding (and how it is often the children who must sort things out when the adults of a given at odds family are too stubborn and too obstinate to consider reconciliation) if the author, if Wendy McLeod MacKnight had decided to leave The Copycat as realistic fiction.
For honestly, the fantastical elements of The Copycat, not only are they in my humble opinion pretty unimaginative, boring and tediously rendered by Wendy McLeod MacKnight (with certain individuals, such as for example Ali Sloane, her father and other members of her family suddenly transforming into various types of animals just not really narrationally doing it for me), these elements of the fantastic and the uncanny are also not all that successfully incorporated into the text either (into the realistic parts of the narrative) and therefore end up massively dragging down the story as a whole and making The Copycat at best a chore for me to read. And well, for me to really have only truly enjoyed the St. John New Brunswick setting without reservations, honestly, only liking Wendy McLeod MacKnight's sense of geographical place is not in any way sufficient, is not nearly enough for me to consider more than a two star rating for The Copycat (since over 400 pages of boring fantasy meandering around slowly in front of my reading eyes, it really does destroy my reading joy and renders what could and should have been an engaging and fun story of Ali Sloane finding herself and her place pretty frustrating and annoyingly forgettable).
For honestly, the fantastical elements of The Copycat, not only are they in my humble opinion pretty unimaginative, boring and tediously rendered by Wendy McLeod MacKnight (with certain individuals, such as for example Ali Sloane, her father and other members of her family suddenly transforming into various types of animals just not really narrationally doing it for me), these elements of the fantastic and the uncanny are also not all that successfully incorporated into the text either (into the realistic parts of the narrative) and therefore end up massively dragging down the story as a whole and making The Copycat at best a chore for me to read. And well, for me to really have only truly enjoyed the St. John New Brunswick setting without reservations, honestly, only liking Wendy McLeod MacKnight's sense of geographical place is not in any way sufficient, is not nearly enough for me to consider more than a two star rating for The Copycat (since over 400 pages of boring fantasy meandering around slowly in front of my reading eyes, it really does destroy my reading joy and renders what could and should have been an engaging and fun story of Ali Sloane finding herself and her place pretty frustrating and annoyingly forgettable).
May 19, 2021
I loved this! It takes the saying “Just be yourself!”, & being called a copycat to a whole new level! Lol Such a great idea for a story. Ali & her parents have moved at least once a year for as long as Ali can remember. She’s attended 6 different schools, lived in dozens of apartments, & never really felt at home anywhere. But Ali’s parents say living in Saint John, New Brunswick, will be different. They’ve moved in with Ali’s great-grandmother. Ali wants to believe it will be their last move, but everything seems too perfect to be true. To Ali’s surprise, things are different this time, but not in the way she’d hoped. She's inherited the Sloane family power?the ability to change her appearance into any living thing. Ali is a Copycat. Literally. & being the new kid at school is hard enough w/o this. Luckily, Ali’s new friends are eager to help. But as Ali soon learns, being a Copycat is no substitute for being yourself. This was such a magical read. The character development of our MC was great. This has so much going for it-a town w/a strange fog problem, a family feud, friendship, life lessons, family, magical abilities, humor, great writing, & more. Ali has moved around so much, she makes all these rules for herself for everything to make her life seem possible or easier at a new place. She’s never truly been herself, but what she thinks other people want her to be. She has such a need to belong & fit in-& I think all of us who have experienced middle school can understand that-even w/o the constant moving around(which would make it even harder for sure). I just love the play on words in a way, & it all connecting-copycat & what it means in every way in this book. All the characters were very relatable(minus the magical abilities haha), & identifiable w/their own personalities & own issues. Digger kind of annoyed me, but that’s just realistic. There are people like him(as far as the job situation), & w/a family to support you want to shake him & tell him to suck it up & get a job. It just adds to the story, & Ali’s story & what her life has been like. Every person in her life makes you see the bigger picture w/her. The family feud was also so frustrating, but only b/c it is also relatable, as in things like that happen all the time, & families waste YEARS not speaking. I loved the friends she had in this book, & her cousin, & the different story she had w/each & how she tried to manage them. She wasn’t used to so many friendships in her life. She learns a lot & I loved seeing her discover who she truly is. Big focus on individuality, belonging, family, friendships, honesty, believing in yourself & being yourself, & more. Also, grief plays a role w/o it being flat out said-b/c grief is why some of the things happened the way they have in the family. Loved this. That ending was AMAZING, & had me giving the book a huge hug when I finished. Highly recommend. Stunning cover by Erwin Madrid too!💜
November 14, 2019
You cannot go wrong with a book by Wendy McLeod MacKnight. You can't.
I loved The Copycat! When Ali moves to a new town yet again, she is prepared to do what she always does to fit it: Copy the behavior of the popular kids. Mimic what they say. Share their opinions. That's always safest. But this time, things are different. Her family has moved to the town where her parents grew up. Her cousin who is just her age (and who she's never met because of a family feud) has also just moved to town. It feels like fate! For once she will have a friend. A REAL friend. But when Ali unexpectedly inherits her family's secret ability to change her appearance at will, everything goes a little crazy. Can Ali the copycat be an original?
What I love about this book is how well it hits on middle grade life and the desperate need to fit in. I can remember watching very carefully for people's reactions to what I said. To studying how to behave so I fit in. And I love how this story goes beyond a figurative copycatting to the literal. Kids will relate to how that feels. (And maybe wish they could be a literal copycat, just like Ali!)
The characters in this book really come to life. They are fully realized, each of them dealing with their own issues, and having their own story. The various types of friendships were so interesting to watch, and I loved that the kids figured out how to manage these relationships on their own. They weren't perfect, of course, but that's what made it all so interesting.
I also loved that there was an element of mystery. Something happened in the past to cause the family feud, but no one will talk about it. Ali and her cousin have to figure it out, so they are allowed to be friends. I loved the twists and turns this mystery took. So fun!
I'm trying so hard not to give any spoilers, but just trust me. This book is awesome! You want to read it. And I want to read it again!
I loved The Copycat! When Ali moves to a new town yet again, she is prepared to do what she always does to fit it: Copy the behavior of the popular kids. Mimic what they say. Share their opinions. That's always safest. But this time, things are different. Her family has moved to the town where her parents grew up. Her cousin who is just her age (and who she's never met because of a family feud) has also just moved to town. It feels like fate! For once she will have a friend. A REAL friend. But when Ali unexpectedly inherits her family's secret ability to change her appearance at will, everything goes a little crazy. Can Ali the copycat be an original?
What I love about this book is how well it hits on middle grade life and the desperate need to fit in. I can remember watching very carefully for people's reactions to what I said. To studying how to behave so I fit in. And I love how this story goes beyond a figurative copycatting to the literal. Kids will relate to how that feels. (And maybe wish they could be a literal copycat, just like Ali!)
The characters in this book really come to life. They are fully realized, each of them dealing with their own issues, and having their own story. The various types of friendships were so interesting to watch, and I loved that the kids figured out how to manage these relationships on their own. They weren't perfect, of course, but that's what made it all so interesting.
I also loved that there was an element of mystery. Something happened in the past to cause the family feud, but no one will talk about it. Ali and her cousin have to figure it out, so they are allowed to be friends. I loved the twists and turns this mystery took. So fun!
I'm trying so hard not to give any spoilers, but just trust me. This book is awesome! You want to read it. And I want to read it again!
November 12, 2020
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book was a true surprise for me---I had no idea how much I was going to love it when I started listening! Ali has spent her whole life moving from place to place, and she's finally found a place to possibly settle down: with her great-grandmother in her father's childhood town. Ali's father and great-grandmother are both Copycats---they can change into other people or even into animals---but Ali doesn't have the gift herself.
I loved that Ali's relationship with her family was incredibly complex. On the one hand, she loves her parents deeply, but she also feels resentful that they've never been able to provide her with a stable living situation, especially her somewhat capricious father who prefers to live as a dog half the time and can't hold down a job. As the book progresses we learn of some secrets in Ali's dad's past that have contributed to his issues. I thought that the book was a wonderful portrayal of imperfect family relationships---Ali's frustrations are balanced beautifully with her obvious love and affection for her eccentric dad.
So many kids will relate to Ali's desire to fit in and her struggle to figure out how much of herself she should give up to do so. Ali joins clubs she's not particularly interested in to make friends (and ignores an activity she would actually like), struggles to voice her own opinions, and ends up compromising two friendships because the two girls don't get along and she doesn't want to hurt either's feelings (but ends up doing so in the process). All of this seemed incredibly realistic to me for this age group (my daughter could have been Ali at that age, honestly, and she struggled with many of these same issues). The advice to "be yourself" sounds good and all, but what if you're not sure who you really are and who you want to be?
Basically, I loved this book, and I highly recommend it for middle-grade readers or anyone who remembers what it was like to try to find yourself at that age.
This book was a true surprise for me---I had no idea how much I was going to love it when I started listening! Ali has spent her whole life moving from place to place, and she's finally found a place to possibly settle down: with her great-grandmother in her father's childhood town. Ali's father and great-grandmother are both Copycats---they can change into other people or even into animals---but Ali doesn't have the gift herself.
I loved that Ali's relationship with her family was incredibly complex. On the one hand, she loves her parents deeply, but she also feels resentful that they've never been able to provide her with a stable living situation, especially her somewhat capricious father who prefers to live as a dog half the time and can't hold down a job. As the book progresses we learn of some secrets in Ali's dad's past that have contributed to his issues. I thought that the book was a wonderful portrayal of imperfect family relationships---Ali's frustrations are balanced beautifully with her obvious love and affection for her eccentric dad.
So many kids will relate to Ali's desire to fit in and her struggle to figure out how much of herself she should give up to do so. Ali joins clubs she's not particularly interested in to make friends (and ignores an activity she would actually like), struggles to voice her own opinions, and ends up compromising two friendships because the two girls don't get along and she doesn't want to hurt either's feelings (but ends up doing so in the process). All of this seemed incredibly realistic to me for this age group (my daughter could have been Ali at that age, honestly, and she struggled with many of these same issues). The advice to "be yourself" sounds good and all, but what if you're not sure who you really are and who you want to be?
Basically, I loved this book, and I highly recommend it for middle-grade readers or anyone who remembers what it was like to try to find yourself at that age.
July 16, 2020
There were so many aspects of this book I loved! The setting - I have roots in the Maritimes!!! The storyline - unique and unusual, but the author unfolds and writes about the notion of shapeshifting in such a way it becomes believable. The way she weaves Percival T Sloane’s book in throughout the book. Ali’s fact boxes!!
The characters are real with issues that are not glossed over, but get worked through.
4.5.... I really enjoyed it!
Thanks Aaron for putting another great read in my hands.
The characters are real with issues that are not glossed over, but get worked through.
4.5.... I really enjoyed it!
Thanks Aaron for putting another great read in my hands.
November 3, 2019
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
I really enjoyed this magical story about a young girl who inherits the ability to change herself into any living thing, which only makes life as a middle schooler even harder that it already was!
Ali's family are currently living with her almost 100-year-old great-grandmother after years of moving from place to place. Her mom does her best to support the family, but her father, Digger, is also a Copycat and has a difficult time holding down a job. When Ali realizes the cousin she's never met has also moved back to Saint John and is attending her school, she joins the debate team to meet him (even though she hates public speaking). There's a family feud that Ali doesn't understand, and she wants desperately to end it, so she decides to throw a birthday party for Gigi in an attempt to bring everyone together again. Ali's new friendships are also struggling while she tries to determine what it means to be a true friend, and how to be true to herself in the process.
I like that the story has many elements that young readers will be able to relate to (such as navigating friendships, and figuring out who you are meant to be), while still adding the magical element gives a unique twist to the story. I love Ali's devotion to bringing her family together, and holding on to hope even when it seems useless. I also love that it's set in Canada, and introduces readers to a landscape rarely seen in books.
The Copycat comes out on March 10th, and is available for pre-order now!
I really enjoyed this magical story about a young girl who inherits the ability to change herself into any living thing, which only makes life as a middle schooler even harder that it already was!
Ali's family are currently living with her almost 100-year-old great-grandmother after years of moving from place to place. Her mom does her best to support the family, but her father, Digger, is also a Copycat and has a difficult time holding down a job. When Ali realizes the cousin she's never met has also moved back to Saint John and is attending her school, she joins the debate team to meet him (even though she hates public speaking). There's a family feud that Ali doesn't understand, and she wants desperately to end it, so she decides to throw a birthday party for Gigi in an attempt to bring everyone together again. Ali's new friendships are also struggling while she tries to determine what it means to be a true friend, and how to be true to herself in the process.
I like that the story has many elements that young readers will be able to relate to (such as navigating friendships, and figuring out who you are meant to be), while still adding the magical element gives a unique twist to the story. I love Ali's devotion to bringing her family together, and holding on to hope even when it seems useless. I also love that it's set in Canada, and introduces readers to a landscape rarely seen in books.
The Copycat comes out on March 10th, and is available for pre-order now!
October 29, 2019
Advice to my younger self - don’t worry about what others think, be true to you. This is a lesson creatively woven throughout The Copycat! A great book to share with students, we will be adding it to our library when it publishes. Thank you to the author for sharing with #bookposse.
August 18, 2022
A clever twist on accepting yourself.
October 26, 2020
A wonderful story about friendship and familial reconciliation, featuring a very likeable protagonist possessed of a unique gift. Recommended.
October 12, 2019
Thank you to the author for sharing a review copy with Collabookation.
Ali has grown up with a father who can morph into any being he has ever seen. Kids are usually born with this ability or not, and Ali doesn't have it. Until her family returns to Saint John, Ali starts a new school, and she finds her long-lost cousin. So Ali sure does find herself in a predicament! But this book isn't about her navigating her newfound abilities, it's about her true goal to reunite the Sloan family. The Sloans have been torn apart since the death of their beloved cousin Teddy, and Ali is determined to learn more about her family's history so she can put them all back together again.
This book is fast-paced and entertaining. I found it hard to put down because every chapter has Ali either learning more about her Copycat skills or about who she is as a person.
Ali's father has been grieving for his cousin, who was also his best friend, for as long as Ali's been alive. He doesn't hold a steady job and the family moves- every year. As a result, Ali hasn't made strong connections with anyone her age. Her family promises this move will be their last, but Ali learns that to form true, lasting connections you have to be a true and consistent friend.
In short, this book has so many wonderful elements: the mystery behind Teddy's death and the family's feud, Ali learning how to be a true friend and accept the friendship of others, and the fantasy elements running throughout. Thoughtful, mysterious, and sweet, I'm predicting kids in grades 5 and up will love this book. Highly recommend!
Ali has grown up with a father who can morph into any being he has ever seen. Kids are usually born with this ability or not, and Ali doesn't have it. Until her family returns to Saint John, Ali starts a new school, and she finds her long-lost cousin. So Ali sure does find herself in a predicament! But this book isn't about her navigating her newfound abilities, it's about her true goal to reunite the Sloan family. The Sloans have been torn apart since the death of their beloved cousin Teddy, and Ali is determined to learn more about her family's history so she can put them all back together again.
This book is fast-paced and entertaining. I found it hard to put down because every chapter has Ali either learning more about her Copycat skills or about who she is as a person.
Ali's father has been grieving for his cousin, who was also his best friend, for as long as Ali's been alive. He doesn't hold a steady job and the family moves- every year. As a result, Ali hasn't made strong connections with anyone her age. Her family promises this move will be their last, but Ali learns that to form true, lasting connections you have to be a true and consistent friend.
In short, this book has so many wonderful elements: the mystery behind Teddy's death and the family's feud, Ali learning how to be a true friend and accept the friendship of others, and the fantasy elements running throughout. Thoughtful, mysterious, and sweet, I'm predicting kids in grades 5 and up will love this book. Highly recommend!
January 7, 2020
great premise for a childrens' story. well developed story line that will keep kids interested and wanting more (just like I do).
June 27, 2020
I adore Wendy McLeod MacKnight's books. She comes up with such great premises, and resolves them in unexpected and delightful ways. The Copycat is no exception. Main character Ali makes lists ('Ali's New School Rules', etc). These are dotted throughout the book and are such fun, I thought I'd add my own... 'Kate's List of Things She Loved About The Copycat':
1. It's about the changes kids have to learn to negotiate, and perhaps more importantly...
2. It's about kids helping their families change for the better.
3. As mentioned, it has lists. I love lists.
4. It involves the Bay of Fundy, which is a magical place.
5. It includes the words "C.S. Lewis's hairy knuckles"...
6. ... and also quotes from Maya Angelou.
7. It holds the very powerful message that when a kid needs to make a decision, that decision should be based on kindness. There aren't many messages more important than that.
A great choice for kids who enjoy thoughtful, literate, imaginative stories about friendship and family.
1. It's about the changes kids have to learn to negotiate, and perhaps more importantly...
2. It's about kids helping their families change for the better.
3. As mentioned, it has lists. I love lists.
4. It involves the Bay of Fundy, which is a magical place.
5. It includes the words "C.S. Lewis's hairy knuckles"...
6. ... and also quotes from Maya Angelou.
7. It holds the very powerful message that when a kid needs to make a decision, that decision should be based on kindness. There aren't many messages more important than that.
A great choice for kids who enjoy thoughtful, literate, imaginative stories about friendship and family.
January 10, 2020
Alison Sloane has moved around her entire 12 years. Ali,her dad, Digger, and mom, Ginger are living with her great-grandmother Gigi. Ali is sure they are going to settle down and stay this time. Digger is a Copycat. He can change into anything and is pretty much himself and a dog. He doesn't work, except for being an unemployed artist. Her mom is normal or a Constant. She is a nurse in a nursing home. Gigi is about to turn 100 and Ali decides to try to reconnect the family by having a giant birthday party, but they have a feud going on and it won't be easy. She also discovers that she is a Copycat and going to a new middle school is hard enough without adding her new powers into the mix.
Excellent middle school read. Is slow in some parts, but overall kept my attention and WOW what a surprise at the end!
Excellent middle school read. Is slow in some parts, but overall kept my attention and WOW what a surprise at the end!
July 17, 2021
I enjoyed this book for the most part. But I was disappointed with how the author used the concept. I thought Ali would change into different animals and stay that way and go on adventures. When she did change, it was for a very short time. Loved the concept and that's what drew me to the book, but again, it was a letdown in that department.
It was also too long. This could have been a much shorter book. The last two pages were completely unnecessary. The writing was simple and easy to follow, but it was sort of bland. There weren't many similes or metaphors which I love in books.
The things I did like were all the times she changed. Just wish it went longer with that. I really liked the ending too.
It was also too long. This could have been a much shorter book. The last two pages were completely unnecessary. The writing was simple and easy to follow, but it was sort of bland. There weren't many similes or metaphors which I love in books.
The things I did like were all the times she changed. Just wish it went longer with that. I really liked the ending too.
August 26, 2020
This book was a little difficult to get into. I didn’t really like the story and found Ali to be whiny. I really got into the book in the last twenty pages, which is not when a 417 page should be getting good. The writing was weak and there were several things I questioned (like using the term copycats just did not seem to be a good fit). If it had been a stronger book it could have definitely been bumped up a star or two.
July 17, 2020
The Copycat was a fun, magical story about a young girl who finally moves back to her family home to look after her great-grandmother. Ali has spent her short life moving from one place to another, never settling down or feeling like she belongs anywhere; she really hopes that this will be the place where she can make good friends and finally discover more about her family. There were so many things about this story that I really enjoyed: the setting (I am Canadian and although I am not from New Brunswick, I have been there and am familiar with the setting), the mysterious family feud, the way the author wove things into the book, and the friendships.
Let's start with Ali: she is a bright, 12-year-old girl looking to make a fresh start, but she has had difficulty with friendships in the past so she has developed these rules. Unfortunately, the rules don't really work out so well for her here, and the kids quickly realize that she is quick to agree to anything they say without really having an opinion of her own. I enjoyed Ali's realization that she was being to accommodating to others and that she was coming of as fake. And while she could be frustrating at times, and you just want to tell her to be honest with her friends, it was nice to follow her on her journey of self-realization. And I really think middle grade readers would enjoy the journey and be able to reflect on it and maybe learn something from it themselves.
The story line was a lot of fun, with a bit of a paranormal twist in it. Ali is a copycat, and how she discovers her powers is a lot of fun. I enjoyed the training and laughed along with her attempts to change into different animals and characters - the Incredible Hulk being one of my favourites. The paranormal stuff didn't take over the story, but was just part of it and I liked that. Sometimes books get too caught up in the paranormal, and then character development and plot sometimes gets shunted to the background. This did not happen here as each character had their own issues, making them a part of the story, not just secondary characters. The author threw in a lot of fun facts about The Bay of Fundy (something you really have to see for yourself as it's amazing), and other historical tidbits that fit in nicely with the story. The little family feud was also interesting, and while I eventually figured it out and was happy about it, I also think young readers would enjoy the little twist. It was just enough mystery that young readers would not be overwhelmed, but also engaging and intriguing.
The Copycat definitely has many elements that I think will engage young readers; there is the new girl who has to learn how to make new friendships and learn about herself at the same time, plus there is the paranormal element that adds a bit of a complication to a young girl's life. I enjoyed the setting as well as the characters and would love to see a sequel to this book. As a Canadian, I love it when I read books that are set in Canada, and in towns I have visited. I highly recommend this book.
Let's start with Ali: she is a bright, 12-year-old girl looking to make a fresh start, but she has had difficulty with friendships in the past so she has developed these rules. Unfortunately, the rules don't really work out so well for her here, and the kids quickly realize that she is quick to agree to anything they say without really having an opinion of her own. I enjoyed Ali's realization that she was being to accommodating to others and that she was coming of as fake. And while she could be frustrating at times, and you just want to tell her to be honest with her friends, it was nice to follow her on her journey of self-realization. And I really think middle grade readers would enjoy the journey and be able to reflect on it and maybe learn something from it themselves.
The story line was a lot of fun, with a bit of a paranormal twist in it. Ali is a copycat, and how she discovers her powers is a lot of fun. I enjoyed the training and laughed along with her attempts to change into different animals and characters - the Incredible Hulk being one of my favourites. The paranormal stuff didn't take over the story, but was just part of it and I liked that. Sometimes books get too caught up in the paranormal, and then character development and plot sometimes gets shunted to the background. This did not happen here as each character had their own issues, making them a part of the story, not just secondary characters. The author threw in a lot of fun facts about The Bay of Fundy (something you really have to see for yourself as it's amazing), and other historical tidbits that fit in nicely with the story. The little family feud was also interesting, and while I eventually figured it out and was happy about it, I also think young readers would enjoy the little twist. It was just enough mystery that young readers would not be overwhelmed, but also engaging and intriguing.
The Copycat definitely has many elements that I think will engage young readers; there is the new girl who has to learn how to make new friendships and learn about herself at the same time, plus there is the paranormal element that adds a bit of a complication to a young girl's life. I enjoyed the setting as well as the characters and would love to see a sequel to this book. As a Canadian, I love it when I read books that are set in Canada, and in towns I have visited. I highly recommend this book.
October 9, 2020
This is a wonderful, unusual, well-written and cozy middle grade novel about a girl from a family with a startling secret talent—some of them can turn into other people and animals! MacKnight has crafted a delightful book that feels like it is in the lineage of Diana Wynne Jones (especially some of her lesser-known works like DOGSBODY or AUNT MARIA) and also has a little bit of a Daniel Pinkwater vibe (but with far more heart).
Alison, the main character, has grown up constantly moving from town to town and struggles with deep feelings of rootlessness and insecurity. She has a tendency to act however she thinks other potential friends would prefer—including faking interest in hobbies and other things—rather than reveal who she really is and risk rejection. Over the course of the novel, she works up the courage to be true to herself and in the process discovers that doing so makes it much easier to forge real friendships.
There are so many lovely things about this book. The setting in foggy St. John, New Brunswick was depicted very well and took on a role as its own sort of character. I loved the multigenerational family dynamics, and how they were depicted was very refreshing—Ali’s parents are flawed but loving (and both alive and still married), and Ali is child who fundamentally respects and gets along with them. As someone who grew up in a family that struggled to make ends meet and moved frequently from rental to rental, Ali’s worries about her socioeconomic status rang very true to me as well.
And the ending! I won’t give away any spoilers, but the ending manages to be both unexpected and absolutely perfect. Very satisfying, very moving. A lovely read!
Alison, the main character, has grown up constantly moving from town to town and struggles with deep feelings of rootlessness and insecurity. She has a tendency to act however she thinks other potential friends would prefer—including faking interest in hobbies and other things—rather than reveal who she really is and risk rejection. Over the course of the novel, she works up the courage to be true to herself and in the process discovers that doing so makes it much easier to forge real friendships.
There are so many lovely things about this book. The setting in foggy St. John, New Brunswick was depicted very well and took on a role as its own sort of character. I loved the multigenerational family dynamics, and how they were depicted was very refreshing—Ali’s parents are flawed but loving (and both alive and still married), and Ali is child who fundamentally respects and gets along with them. As someone who grew up in a family that struggled to make ends meet and moved frequently from rental to rental, Ali’s worries about her socioeconomic status rang very true to me as well.
And the ending! I won’t give away any spoilers, but the ending manages to be both unexpected and absolutely perfect. Very satisfying, very moving. A lovely read!
April 24, 2020
The Copycat is a well-written story about a young girl who tries to fit in by behaving the way she thinks others expect her to. It is a story about friendship, family, and self-confidence. It is a story that will resonate with pre-teens as they can relate to the difficulties experienced by Ali, the main character, when she tries to fit into her new school.
Ali learns that in order to make true friends, she needs to be herself. This is a lesson that she learns through trial and error – and by making mistakes that many of the readers may have experienced themselves. She learns that in order to form an authentic bond with others, she needs to trust those that she wants to make friends with. She also learns the importance of forgiveness – whether it is forgiveness of family members or of children her age.
The author has written a story that will resonate with her audience in an accessible way. The pace will keep the reader interested, and the characters will be enjoyed by the pre-teen who opens this book.
Ali learns that in order to make true friends, she needs to be herself. This is a lesson that she learns through trial and error – and by making mistakes that many of the readers may have experienced themselves. She learns that in order to form an authentic bond with others, she needs to trust those that she wants to make friends with. She also learns the importance of forgiveness – whether it is forgiveness of family members or of children her age.
The author has written a story that will resonate with her audience in an accessible way. The pace will keep the reader interested, and the characters will be enjoyed by the pre-teen who opens this book.
April 19, 2020
Wendy McLeod MacKnight’s delightful middle-grade novel, THE COPYCAT, centers on 12-year-old Ali Sloane, a seventh grader at the Princess Elizabeth School, in the fog-covered city of Saint John, in Canada. At first glance, Ali seems like your average middle schooler. She worries about fitting in at her school, doing well on a science project with the most popular girl in her class, Emily, and about the health of her grandmother, Gigi, whose frail body seems to be deteriorating as she approaches her 100th birthday. But unlike most tweens, Ali is a Copycat—capable of changing her appearance at the drop of a hat. As it turns out, this power, which she inherited from her dad, Digger, is more than Ali bargained for while she’s trying to stay under the radar at her new school. A wonderful mix of fantasy and magical realism, THE COPY CAT will appeal to fans of the author’s previous books, IT’S A MYSTERY, PIG FACE! and THE FRAME-UP. Highly recommended!
April 12, 2020
I loved Wendy McLeod MacKnight's previous book, THE FRAME-UP, so I was very excited about this book. At first I had trouble understanding Ali, as contrary to her I never had to move during my school days, and I wasn't sure about her tried-and-true tactics to fit in. But when her Copycat abilities suddenly kicked in (and at a very inconvenient moment too), I was glued to the story. I love the New Brunswick setting too and am now very intrigued by the fog in the Bay of Fundy.
A wonderful story about friends, how to make them, how to fit in, about fog and family feuds with an unexpected ending that I hope you will like as much as I did.
A wonderful story about friends, how to make them, how to fit in, about fog and family feuds with an unexpected ending that I hope you will like as much as I did.
February 11, 2020
My 9 year old and I absolutely loved this book. MacKnight so accurately portrays the middle grade voice, and I really connected with the main character. Ali has moved around from town to town, feels like a an outcast within her family, and at school—and that’s even before things start to get really crazy! Kids will love the magical elements in The Copycat as well as the mystery storyline and the relationships between Ali and her kooky family and curious new friends. Really well written, perfect for even the most finicky readers. Highly recommend!
October 27, 2020
Notes for book talk: Cute fantasy. Ali's dad is a shapeshifting copycat. She has moved many times so doesn't have any permanent friends. Her family has moved in with her grandmother, and this time they might stay. She has a set of rules to help her make friends and adapt at new schools. She finds out she is also a shape shifter. This is the first time she has been around extended family and meets her cousin. The two branches of the family are estranged because of an incident with her father and uncle where the uncle died.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2021
The fun is multiplied in Wendy MacLeod Knight's The Copycat! In this foggy, funny, topsy-turvy world, Ali discovers her ability to transform into other living creatures. Her newfound powers are both a blessing and a curse as she learns to control them while also navigating friend drama and trying to settle a long-standing family feud. The side characters are a riot, especially the dad who spends most of his time as a dog, lounging on the couch. This is a clever and fast-paced novel that kids will love!
March 11, 2020
Ali is a Copycat, a shape-shifter, although they never call it that, from a family of shape-shifters. Her dad likes to be a dog. It's a tale of loss and discovery, of friendship and family. Most of all, it's about forgiveness. Written for 8-12 year olds, this story will delight tweens and teens alike. If only there were pictures.
Thanks to the BookLoft of German Village (Columbus, OH) http://www.bookloft.com for an ARC to read.
Thanks to the BookLoft of German Village (Columbus, OH) http://www.bookloft.com for an ARC to read.
April 19, 2020
What a joy! The Copycat is a fantastic MG story about learning to live and learn and be yourself. It's full of good friends and good feels and made me all warm and fuzzy inside!
I should also note that both my 12 and 14 year olds read the book, and they both loved it. They've been pestering me to read it so we could talk about it (just finding the time is all, now that I've read it, I love it, too!)
I should also note that both my 12 and 14 year olds read the book, and they both loved it. They've been pestering me to read it so we could talk about it (just finding the time is all, now that I've read it, I love it, too!)
May 22, 2020
I am such a fan of Wendy McLeod MacKnight's writing, so I'm happy to report that The Copycat lives up to all my expectations! It's magical and whimsical, and at the same time deals with middle school issues in real and compelling ways. By the end of the book, I was convinced that there are actual copycats in the world! At its heart, this book is a mystery though--Ali must use her deductive skills to solve a tragedy from her broken family's past. Just delicious! Highly recommend!
August 23, 2020
This book sucked me in from the very first paragraph. It is beautifully and engagingly written, and I loved the protagonist Ali so much. I could definitely relate to her feelings and struggles, and I'm so excited to share this book with my daughter and my students. It is a perfect combination of magical realism, mystery, and contemporary that feels very fresh and imaginative. It's fun to read, while at the same time being thoughtful and heartfelt.
Loved it!
Loved it!
June 13, 2021
THE COPYCAT was a fun book & everything 10 year old me wanted to read--adult me loved it too! I love the concept of the copycats and how Ali has to come to terms with everything. The book brims with family dynamics, budding friendships, and plenty of magic. It's a total MG delight, and I highly recommend it!
November 30, 2019
Another great book by Wendy McLeod MacKnight! Ali's story is one of figuring out who you are- very relatable to all middle grade readers who will be racing to get their hands on this book! And the plot twist at the end- lovd it all!!
June 15, 2020
I love all of Wendy McLeod MacKnight's books and this was no exception. Well-written characters and a plot that is interesting and imaginative/fantastical but manages to capture real life issues and experiences of middle grade aged readers. Do not miss this one!
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