Earthling!
Chronicle Books/Raincoast Books
age 8-12
by Mark Fearing and Tim Rummel
248 pages
Synopsis from Raincoast Books:
When nine-year-old Bud accidentally catches the wrong bus and finds himself launched into a far-away galaxy, making friends is the least of his problems! At Cosmos Academy, Bud soon learns that Earthlings are the most feared creatures in the galaxy. But with the help of his new friend, Gort, Bud hides his true identity and even learns to play anti-gravity Zero-Ball (when he’s only ever been good at watching sports). But with paranoid Principal Lepton threatening to expel any Earthlings,and nothing more than Gort’s Blip-computer to determine Earth’s coordinates, Bud may be lost in space forever! Both gripping and hilarious, this dynamic graphic novel is perfect for kids who crave adventure with a sense of humor.
Adjusting to a new school, facing the unknown, can be tough on kids, at any age. Earthling! takes that level of fear and uncertainty to a whole new level in the graphic novel, Earthling! Although kids adjusting to school won’t have to worry about intergalactic rules or getting on a spaceship bus instead of their school bus, but they’ll be able to relate to the themes of fitting in, cliques, and friendship illustrated within Earthling! Add in a galactic weapon and the threat of the Earth being destroyed and you’ll have kids hooked. Although we read this as a family, my son reread it himself two additional times. I always find graphic novels play better in your head when read to yourself versus read aloud.
The comic-book style of the graphic novel will entice reluctant readers and the story will keep them reading. Earthling! is a fun story about friendship and fitting in, whether your child is adjusting to a new situation or not.
You can find a copy of Earthling! by visiting your local book store or visiting Raincoast Books. Visit our Kid’s Books section for other great book recommendations. Discover more great Back to School books. What are you reading with your kids?
I have to thank Raincoast Books for my review copy.