Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Boy gains animal powers in funny sci-fi adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As I AM THE WALRUS opens, 14-year-old Noah Prime drops out of a tree and lands on his classmate Sahara Solis. This is the beginning of the strangeness that happens around him. Before long, he's squawking like a bird at the school dance, hiding from enemies by blending into his surroundings, and refusing to join the soccer team, despite his awesome ball-handling skills. Soon, he and his friends are on the run from mysterious government agents -- and worse still, the fate of the entire planet rests with them.
Is It Any Good?
Animal powers might seem great, but this funny, good-natured sci-fi comedy shows the downsides to possessing animal abilities. Shusterman and Elfman know how to set up a joke and pay it off later while keeping the plot moving and suspense at a high pitch. Noah, Sahara, and their friend Ogden are a winning team on their adventurous quest involving aliens, time travel, a volcano, and more. It's clear by the end of the book that Shusterman and Elfman are only warming up, and more is definitely in store for this quirky crew.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how I Am the Walrus mixes comedy and drama. What effect did this mixing of funny and serious have on you? What other books make you laugh as much as they keep you in suspense?
If you could choose to have an animal power, what would you select? How are animals treated in mythology and fokllore?
Why do you think readers are fascinated by the concept of the end of the world?
How do the characters show courage, curiosity, and teamwork? How did these strengths help the characters succeed?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : April 11, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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