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The True Meaning of Smekday

(2007, Fiction - Science Fiction, Written by Adam Rex, Illustrated by Adam Rex)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Alien invasion is comical and fun, but too long.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    There is some racial tension between Native Americans and whites, and between African Americans and whites.

  • Violence:

    Much cartoonish violence: a man is hit on the head and knocked out, weapons cause explosions and fire, references to alien body parts after an explosion.

  • Sex:

    A reference to how babies are made, human and Boovish.

  • Language:

    Assorted mild swearing: "Hell," "Jesus," "ass," "boob," etc.

  • Consumerism:

    Car brand mentioned. Most of the other products named are imaginary spoofs on real products and places, especially DisneyWorld.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Several types of alcohol mentioned.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The True Meaning of Smekday

Parents need to know that there is some cartoonish violence, with science-fictiony weapons that vaporize things, and lots of explosions. Once character is knocked out, and otherwise only non-character aliens are hurt. There is also some mild swearing.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about some of the issues the author raises. What are the parallels between what the Boovs do to humans and what Europeans did to Native Americans? Are the Boovs ultimately good or bad? What do you think of the way Americans organized themselves in Arizona? What do you think would really happen if all Americans were shipped to Arizona?
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