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Help! I'm Trapped...
Help! I'm Trapped in an Alien's Body
When the Dirksen Intelligence Transfer System malfunctions again, Jake Sherman switches bodies with an alien from a planet of big-eyed TV watchers!
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 1998
2 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Todd Strasser
216 books786 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 25, 2024
don’t remember the plot but i remember the aura so strongly
August 26, 2023
My 9 year old son wanted to read this one, so I read it first so we can talk about it. It’s a fun read to talk about the importance of moving and doing stuff and not sitting and watching tV. He’s excited to read it too.
June 22, 2010
The DITS machine is supposed to transfer the intelligence of one person to another. But when Mr. Dirksen, the science teacher, accidentally pushes the red button, Jake knows that something is wrong. He feels his face; his eyes are as huge as tennis balls! What are those two pipes sticking out where his nose should be? He has a beak instead of a mouth! Ugh! That other guy must be an alien from outer space and he is running away in Jake’s body! The big soccer championship is tomorrow night and Jake is the goalie. He has to get his body back before the game.
Even though the plot was so unbelievable, I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of Jake and his friends. This story was filled with juvenile wisecracks that transport the reader back to Junior High. I recommend it as a fun book to read.
Even though the plot was so unbelievable, I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of Jake and his friends. This story was filled with juvenile wisecracks that transport the reader back to Junior High. I recommend it as a fun book to read.
April 18, 2024
One of my kids really likes these books. I thought it was okay, but nothing fantastic. Not really my taste, but might be good for some kids that don't like to read just to get them to read, especially boys. It's a really simple, quick read and the plot is somewhat entertaining (he switches bodies with an alien for a day or two. He also learns from the alien about what the alien's planet is like). This one had a little lesson in it about not watching too much T.V., but also talked about the aliens' favorite shows being The Simpsons and Beavis and Butthead, which aren't shows that I feel are appropriate for the age these books are geared toward. I also thought the tone was a bit annoying, but I guess if you like the mindless (and sometimes rude) way a lot of young tween/teenage boys talk and act you might like it.
If your child does like them, though, and it gets them to read, there are quite a few books in the series.
If your child does like them, though, and it gets them to read, there are quite a few books in the series.
July 18, 2019
The points made in this, while a bit far-fetched, were relatable.
September 10, 2011
This is a fun (and slightly preachy) tale in the Help! I'm Trapped... series by Todd Strasser. It's a fairly typical story in the series, with a cautionary theme about the importance of staying active and not watching too much television. We enjoyed reading this story together and we will likely look for more of these books at our local library.
September 20, 2016
Very good book. By an intelligent 10 year old
Todd Strasser really expresses the feeling in this story, for instance... Jake. He shows in full detail how Jake feels about being in an alien's body. Jake could walk without gasping for air every few steps in the alien's body and was very weak
Todd Strasser really expresses the feeling in this story, for instance... Jake. He shows in full detail how Jake feels about being in an alien's body. Jake could walk without gasping for air every few steps in the alien's body and was very weak
November 17, 2007
lol! i remeber when this was the only book that we could read fluently, then it saod "SPACE JAM!" on the back, then we were laughing so hard we coldn't breathe, then the teacher yelled at us, good times, good times......
April 6, 2014
Aliens are real and they are all grey, fat, lazy, and addicted to the television. Yikes. There's a life lesson in here somewhere. Join Jake as he ends up in an alien's body. He's never going to live this down...
March 18, 2016
Although this book sounds like it's a joke, it's actually a really good book. It keeps you interested with moments of comedy and cliffhangers (it doesn't end in one). If you like books that will make you constantly laugh, then this is the book for you.
March 18, 2010
very funny.
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April 14, 2011THIS BOOK IS NOT ON THE READING COUNTS LIST
April 6, 2013
I like these books in general so it was really good. I like how it was an alien even though they are not real!
May 3, 2016
Really funny. Can you imagine being in an aliens body?
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews