Being of Two Minds - Softcover

Service, Pamela F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0449704157 ISBN 13: 9780449704158

Publisher: Fawcett, 1992

Synopsis

Connie Hendricks was a typical American teen except for her dizzy spells, when she would pass out. When this happened, she entered the mind and soul of Prince Rudolph, the fourteen-year-old heir apparent of Thulgaria, a small European country. Prince Rudolph had spells too, when he entered Connie's mind and life. Everything was just fine, and their "trick" was their special secret -- until Rudolph was kidnapped while Connie was inside his mind . . .

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-- Connie Hendricks, an average American teenage girl, and Crown Prince Rudolf of Thulgaria, a tiny and traditionally neutral European kingdom, have shared the same problem since birth--sudden dizzy spells that lead to several hours of unconsciousness, and that have remained unexplained and uncontrolled in spite of all the medical experts consulted. What the doctors (and everyone but Connie and Rudy) don't know is that during the spells the two make mental visits to one another, sharing minds and observing each other's world, and that neither wants to be "cured" of what they consider to be a valuable friendship. When a Thulgarian state visit brings Rudy's family to Chicago, they finally meet, and find that they are as comfortable with each other in person as in their minds. Shortly after his return to Europe, Rudy is kidnapped as part of a plot against the throne while Connie is mentally with him, and she is able to save him. As in Service's other books, an unusual idea--in this case the mind exchange--sets the scene, and the plot, although fairly predictable, moves quickly to a satisfying end. In spite of somewhat shallow characterization, the story should appeal to fantasy/sci/fi readers and fans of contemporary teen stories alike. --Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Connie Hendricks, 14, is an American schoolgirl, while Rudolph, also 14, is crown prince of Thulgaria--but their minds are so nearly identical that they sometimes merge: Connie (or Rudolph) seems to go to sleep while his (or her) mind becomes a guest in the other's, able to see and hear everything that goes on. While these periods of sudden unconsciousness make their families understandably nervous, and also leads to the suspicion that Rudolph is not fit for the monarchy, the phenomenon proves valuable when Rudolph is kidnapped by political opportunists and when Connie, quickly flying to Thulgaria, is able to rescue him. Once together they discover that, when they are near, each can see and hear what the other does without falling unconscious: proximity is clearly a future necessity. Credulity is strained to the breaking point by the basic plot device (e.g., they are both bilingual); by Connie's savoir- faire in the face of CIA men, terrorists, bombs, dogs, and guns; and by the very existence of Thulgaria--even to hardened fantasy buffs, this may seem like piffle. Still, Service does keep things moving briskly, and the two protagonists have a certain charm. (Fiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Fawcett
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0449704157
• ISBN 13: 9780449704158
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160