The Copycat

Ali Sloane is used to starting new schools. She's entering grade seven, and so far, she's attended nine different schools in as many new cities. Ali creates rules for herself to govern all aspects of her life, from how to start a new school to how to hide her family's lack of money from her peers. She isn't used to thinking for herself or even trying to be herself. Her goal in a new school is to follow the lead of others and try not to stand out. Her family's constant moving has taught her not to bother trying to make friends or get attached to a new school. But this new school is different. Instead of living in an anonymous city in a horrible, cramped apartment, they are living with Ali's great grandmother in Ali's dad's hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick. And the students at her new school are welcoming and friendly, and she soon finds herself making several friends despite her diffidence.

Ali also discovers that her family isn't the only branch of the Sloanes back in Saint John. Ali learns that her second cousin, Alfie, has moved to Saint John with his mom, and they are living with Alfie's grandfather. Ali also learns that her branch of the family isn't on speaking terms with Alfie's branch. She doesn't know why there's a family feud, only that it relates to Alfie's dad's death and the mysterious ability that some members of the family, known as Copycats, have of being able to transform into other people or animals at will. Ali is determined to befriend her cousin Alfie, discover the source of the Sloane family feud, and heal the rift all before her great grandmother's hundredth birthday. Soon, Ali's meticulously created and documented rules start to fail her, and she is left to think and act for herself. Ali has to learn what it really means to be herself, Copycat abilities and all.

The Copycat shares elements with many middle-grade books about misfits with special abilities. Ali has trouble fitting in at a new school, she suffers from self-doubt when making friends, and her special powers reveal themselves while she's at school. The Copycat is also missing many of the elements of middle-grade fiction that can make these books feel cliche. Ali isn't bullied by any of the other students at her school, and there are no vindictive teachers. She's never mortifyingly embarrassed by her Copycat abilities in front of her peers, and none of her classmates threaten to reveal her or take advantage of her. Instead, the students are friendly and welcoming, and the teachers are caring. The challenges and conflicts Ali face are largely self-inflicted. She uses her rules to protect herself from rejection, but, instead, they lead her to alienate potential friends. She is used to keeping others at arm's length, and she doesn't know how to react when people offer her genuine friendship. In the novel, Ali learns how to truly be herself and that real friendship and even solving a family rift require openness and vulnerability. The Copycat is a fun read full of quirky and sweet characters.