 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The True Meaning of Smekday
- By Adam Rex
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Alien invasion is comical and fun, but too long.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
In essays for school and a time-capsule contest, Gratuity Tucci describes her cross-country road trip with a Boov alien she calls J.Lo. The Earth has been invaded, her mother kidnapped, and all Americans are herded into a reservation in Arizona. From there she and J.Lo work to stop yet another invasion by even worse aliens, the Nimrogs, who were inadvertently drawn to Earth by J.Lo.
Is it any good?
This is good, silly fun, the kind of story in which the main characters bicker over a walkie-talkie about what to call their plan (Operation: Catastrophe vs. Operation: Piggyback, both puns) even while running and being shot at by marauding alien monsters. And the evil alien monsters love fighting and musical theater, and "fought one another in a three-hundred-year-old civil war that is believed to have started over a parking space." You know, the kind of goofy, off-the-wall humor that many kids think is just hilarious.
Illustrated with a few comic strips (could have used more of those) and other drawings, the book bogs down in places, and would have benefitted from a firmer editorial hand: lopping off about 150 pages would have done the story no harm and done more to hold the interests of the kind of kids who will be drawn to something like this. Still, this will be a popular choice for fans of Terry Pratchett and Larry Gonick, and, with its abundance of strange creatures, whacky scenes, and silly accents and voices, it should make a great read-aloud.
What 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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AGE
I am a 48 year old home school mom who read this book after hearing my 16 year old daughter laughing uproariously throughout the two days in which she devoured the book. I found it just as funny, well-written, and entertaining. I love the loyalty exhibited by Gratuity and J Lo, the depth of the characters, the tongue in cheek cultural observations, and the friendships and family ties that overcome any and all obstacles. I will purchase a copy for our home library and wait with great anticipation until my 7 year old is ready for his introduction to Smekland. Please say there is a sequel on the way!
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Kid, 11 years old
October 29, 2011
AGE
What I think of
I think true meaning of smek day is a great book for kids to read it is really funny and has a little of violence and awesome your kids will love this book
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AGE
Beware the Gorg, but the Boov can be kinda cute!
Who can resist a buddy story about a cross-country trek made by an 11-year-old girl named Gratuity and her outcast, sidekick alien Boov named J.Lo who likes to eat soap, dental floss and soda cans! And those Gorg sure are poomps. Personally, I love this book! The humor is rampant and good feelings are everywhere. I am reading it at bedtime to my 8-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son. She "gets" most of the jokes, he doesn't, but still likes the story. We are buying this one for our home library!
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Kid, 12 years old
August 7, 2011
AGE
Really Quite Good
This book is definitely one of my top, like, five favorites. It was one of those books that, though quite long, seemed short. I am a huge reader, and I found my self riveted by the action and (often) clever humor. I give this book three thumbs up :D!!!
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AGE
Hilarious, smart, touching book
A hilarious, fantastic, touching, smart book. This is laugh-out-loud funny. It features a whip-smart 12-year-old protagonist who thinks for herself and is loyal to her family and friends. Her buddy is an alien - a Boov - and the bond between the two of them fuels this gripping road trip story. Superb social satire that will be picked up by older kids. Go read this book!
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| Author: | Adam Rex |
| Illustrator: | Adam Rex |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Hyperion Books for Children |
| Publication date: | October 9, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 423 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
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