Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Plenty happens to teen in fun, funny E.T. homage.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As NOTHING IMPORTANT EVER HAPPENS TO ETHAN FAIRMONT opens, self-appointed boy-genius Ethan, accompanied by his trusty robot, runs into an abandoned car factory in Ferrous City to elude a bully. On this trip, Ethan meets new kid Juan Carlos and an even more startling guest, galactic traveler Cheese. Cheese needs to get home ASAP, but he's desperate to keep quiet about it, before mysterious agents descend on Ethan, his friends, and their families.
Is It Any Good?
Space aliens are often good for laughs, and this sharp, sweet entry in the genre is a winner. Nick Brooks takes a cinematic approach to the material in Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont, presenting a familiar yet likable main character who's a mix of ambition and vulnerability. Readers will be reminded of thematically similar 1980s movies, from E.T. to Short Circuit, but this fish-out-of-water adventure has plenty of twists that are all its own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ethan Fairmont's similarities to movies from the past. Why do readers like familiar elements in narratives?
Why is Ethan so hurt by Kareem's new friendship? How can friendships change over time?
Talk about how the character strengths of courage, curiosity, and teamwork show up in this story.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Union Square Kids
- Publication date : October 20, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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