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The True Meaning of Smekday (by Adam Rex)

common sense media says

Alien invasion is comical and fun, but too long.


parents & educators say
  • 100% say there are positive messages
  • 67% say there are positive role models

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.

Positive messages: Some racial tension.
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.

More on The True Meaning of Smekday

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Adam Rex
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Publication date: October 9, 2007
Number of pages: 423
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 10

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 100% say there are positive messages
  • 67% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

Reezer
parent of 5 and 9 year old
 
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!

roseb
parent of 8 and 18 year old
 
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!

BlueZebrae
kid, 12 years old
 
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!!!

Dadx2
parent
 
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!

bendiller4
kid, 10 years old
 
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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ON: Content is 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