Spaceheadz by Jon Sciezka and Francesco Sedita

Hello, hello!

It's time for another look into the reading happenings of yours truly, here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  The feature of today's post should just be making it's rounds in a bookstore near you...and what a round indeed!  New schools, new friends (or not), alien encounters (or not), and a fuzzy little leader?  Yep, this is one for the imagination.  Without further adieu, today's book of choice is...

Spaceheadz

by

Jon Scieszka

and

Francesco Sedita

Michael K is not loving life.  Right about now he wishes with all his might that he was in his old school with his old friends....and yet, here he remains.  Where is here?  Good question!  Here is Mrs. Halley's fifth grade class at P.S. 858, Room 501-B.  Here is the new town called home for Michael K and his family.  Here is....exactly where he doesn't want to be.  As if starting school in a new town isn't rough enough, Michael K has the fortune (or perhaps misfortune?) of falling in with a rather odd crowd....of two.  Bob, Jennifer, and Mr. Fluffy.  Perfectly normal sounding names, right (well, except Mr. Fluffy, but I mean, he IS a hamster...who is also the leader of this Spaceheadz project apparently...)?  Yes....provided you aren't claiming to be pencil chewing, odd looking beings from outer space that happen to speak in commercials and think you can do anything, which is just what they need.  (Did I lose you?  No?  Good...)  So BITE THE BULLET and be 100% FRESH because this story is GRRRRREEAT!  (No really...it was fun.)

A quick read indeed....this book is filled with situations and events I can picture younger readers being drawn to, but older readers may get some of the puns from the "commercial" language more readily.  (They literally speak in commercial catch phrases, like GOT MILK and TRIX ARE FOR KIDS.  There's a reason for it...but alas, I can not reveal that part.)  Boys will certainly be able to relate to our young "hero" Michael K as he navigates the strange situation he is thrown into while trying to do the right thing by all.  This is definitely a book that requires quite a bit of imagination (a good thing) but also the ability to take things as they are without looking for the bigger picture (a hard thing for most adults).  A unique addition to the genre....although the ending...yeah, it's a good thing it's rumored to be the first in a series as much is left to be revealed. My inquiring mind really wanted to know the meaning of many things only partially revealed at this stage of series, but I shall wait...patiently....sort of (hehe).

A few additional points of interest, there are several pages inserted here and there that provide learning opportunities and activity suggestions for those younger inquisitive readers, making this a great classroom reading addition.  PLUS the websites mentioned within the text such as the Anti Alien Agency and the SPHDZ websites....REALLY exist!  DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE YOUR FUN!

Special thanks to Lucille at Simon & Schuster for the ARC to review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on their fabulous titles, visit their website, or follow along on Twitter.  This book was scheduled to hit shelves today so be on the lookout in your local stores!  You never know...there might even be an increase in alien activities.  Better read up on how to spot and report them at the agency website.

Until next time....happy reading!