Another funny episode in a well-meaning (sort of, anyway) kid’s life.
Kevin, 14 and no stranger to hyperbole, is back for a fifth humor-infused outing as he tries valiantly to deal with his often bizarre extended family (Vote, 2013, etc.).
Uncle Will shows up unexpectedly with a new bride and a young stepson who’s apparently infamous for starting fires, bringing along a huge, incontinent dog for good measure. The group settles in to stay when Kevin suggests they should have a better ceremony than their justice-of-the-peace wedding the following weekend—and he’ll manage the planning. Next to arrive is dour grandmother Lucille, a clean freak, followed by Papa, Kevin’s grandfather (and Lucille’s ex-husband), and his ex-showgirl girlfriend. As the week progresses, a few more motley friends descend, guaranteeing chaos on the homefront as Kevin deals with the love of his young life, Tina, at school, along with a family-related project that consumes any remaining time and involves carrying around a fake baby (made of popcorn) named Dumpster Assassin. In a departure from his other misadventures, this time Kevin seems to truly have his heart in the right place as he tries to bring order to the disparate parts and restore some missing familial affection. Paulsen never skips an opportunity for a laugh, but the tale’s truth is evident, too, as readers will readily identify with the cast of strange characters.
Another funny episode in a well-meaning (sort of, anyway) kid’s life. (Fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: July 22, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-385-37380-7
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Wendy Lamb/Random
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
Riveting, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious.
If you made a recording to be heard by the aliens who found the iPod, what would you record?
For 11-year-old Alex Petroski, it's easy. He records everything. He records the story of how he travels to New Mexico to a rocket festival with his dog, Carl Sagan, and his rocket. He records finding out that a man with the same name and birthday as his dead father has an address in Las Vegas. He records eating at Johnny Rockets for the first time with his new friends, who are giving him a ride to find his dead father (who might not be dead!), and losing Carl Sagan in the wilds of Las Vegas, and discovering he has a half sister. He even records his own awful accident. Cheng delivers a sweet, soulful debut novel with a brilliant, refreshing structure. His characters manage to come alive through the “transcript” of Alex’s iPod recording, an odd medium that sounds like it would be confusing but really works. Taking inspiration from the Voyager Golden Record released to space in 1977, Alex, who explains he has “light brown skin,” records all the important moments of a journey that takes him from a family of two to a family of plenty.
Riveting, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious. (Fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-399-18637-0
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
Guaranteed to enchant, enthrall, and enmagick.
An elderly witch, a magical girl, a brave carpenter, a wise monster, a tiny dragon, paper birds, and a madwoman converge to thwart a magician who feeds on sorrow.
Every year Elders of the Protectorate leave a baby in the forest, warning everyone an evil Witch demands this sacrifice. In reality, every year, a kind witch named Xan rescues the babies and find families for them. One year Xan saves a baby girl with a crescent birthmark who accidentally feeds on moonlight and becomes “enmagicked.” Magic babies can be tricky, so Xan adopts little Luna herself and lovingly raises her, with help from an ancient swamp monster and a chatty, wee dragon. Luna’s magical powers emerge as her 13th birthday approaches. Meanwhile, Luna’s deranged real mother enters the forest to find her daughter. Simultaneously, a young carpenter from the Protectorate enters the forest to kill the Witch and end the sacrifices. Xan also enters the forest to rescue the next sacrificed child, and Luna, the monster, and the dragon enter the forest to protect Xan. In the dramatic denouement, a volcano erupts, the real villain attempts to destroy all, and love prevails. Replete with traditional motifs, this nontraditional fairy tale boasts sinister and endearing characters, magical elements, strong storytelling, and unleashed forces. Luna has black eyes, curly, black hair, and “amber” skin.
Guaranteed to enchant, enthrall, and enmagick. (Fantasy. 10-14)Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-61620-567-6
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Algonquin
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016
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