Fortunately, the Milk

I don't have a stego toy to go with the book. 

Maybe I should amend that.

Gaiman, Neil.  Fortunately, the Milk. New York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2013.

Plot: A simple quest to get milk for his children's breakfast sends a father on an insane journey through time and space...apparently. While his children remain skeptical, the father relates his adventures with space aliens bent on redecorating the world and a benevolent stegosaurus scientist. In a desperate attempt to save the world from tacky knick-knacks and himself from pirates, volcanoes, and piranhas, the father skips through time, somehow always using the milk to fix the situation.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Pi in the Sky, Cow of the Cowibbean

Personal Thoughts: Gaiman is perhaps best known for his horror or dramatic titles, such as Coraline and Odd and the Frost Giants. However, such titles often hint at his offbeat sense of humor. This title runs wild with his brand of comedy, displaying a playful, energetic side to the writer for the readers to enjoy.

Side Note: My father would definitely tell such a story to me and my siblings when we were kids.

Officer Buckle and Gloria

Someone describes important concepts while a cute animal maintains attention.

Why does this sound familiar?

Rathmann, Peggy. Officer Buckle and Gloria. New York : Putnam's, 1995.

Plot: Officer Buckle comes to Napville School for a safety assembly. No one really pays attention, until Gloria comes. Gloria, a police dog, sits obediently on command, then playfully acts out each of Officer Buckle's safety tips while he faces the audience. The officer is shocked when people begin to listen. He becomes even more excited when he receives an entire envelope filled with thank-you notes, all featuring Gloria. He begins to offer more and more assemblies, shows, and meetings without seeing Gloria's act behind his back. Then he and Gloria are filmed, revealing the truth. Unsurprisingly, Officer Buckle is hurt, but he is not the only one...

Genre: Picture Books, Humor, Friendship, Animals

Reading Level: Pre-K through Grade 3

Similar Titles: Miss Fox's Class Gets it Wrong; Speak Up, Tommy!

Personal Thoughts: While the title is intended for a younger age group than tweens, it still offers a relevant lesson. Teens often feel the pressure to look for an identity, especially among their peers and community. Many seek it by participating in projects or events. It can be devastating when someone seems to get all the attention, even when the tween contributed a lot of effort. However, much like Officer Buckle, their work carries as much importance as their more flashy partners, even if they feel it does not. Even though they might not be the star of the project, they are still important, and that is a lesson everyone needs to know.

The title received the Caldecott Medal.

Side Note: A book with a dog and an award sticker on the cover, but the dog lives. The Apocalypse may very well be upon us.

Ruby Lu: Brave and True

Pay no attention to the almond butter in the background

Look, Lenore. Ruby Lu: Brave and True. New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2004.

Plot: Ruby is a young magician in Seattle, Washington. She proudly offers her skills in an almost daily show after school. Yet, she cannot trick herself out of approaching changes. She has to start going to Chinese School, where she struggles with ink, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Ruby also must deal with a bratty bully, cute brother, and competitive friend. Her biggest challenge, though, is on its way from China. Her name is Flying Duck, and she will live with Ruby and share her bedroom!

Genre: Everyday, Growing Up, Humor

Reading Level: Grades 1-3

Similar Titles: Junie B. Jones series, The Talented Clementine

Personal Thoughts: Much like her Alvin Ho series, Look combines everyday events, exaggerated reactions, and over-the-top situations to create a fun title. Additionally, the book references some aspects of Chinese culture, such as language and food, without loosing the characters or story.

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

Mosasaur down!

Pastis, Stephan. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2013.

Plot: Timmy Failure is a grade school detective with a single mother and a polar bear partner named Total. However, Timmy actually is not a good detective, his mother struggles to pay the bills, and Total raids the trash can. Still, Timmy knows he will make a world-renowned business based on his intellect and superior skills. Unfortunately, he seems unaware of the importance of school, honesty, or legal parking. He is truly aware, though, of the unspeakable evil that is Corrina Corrina.

Genre: Humor

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Pearls before Swine

Personal Thoughts: Timmy Failure is Diary of a Wimpy Kid greatly exaggerated. Much like Kinney's protagonist, Timmy is arrogant, blind to his faults, dismissive of his friends, irresponsible toward his mistakes, and cynically humorous. Some of the topics are considerably darker than Wimpy Kid, such as Timmy's mother not having enough money to pay the bills. Yet, fans of Pearls before Swine will appreciate Pastis' brand of humor and illustrations in this quirky first title of the Timmy Failure series.

Have a Hot Time, Hades!

Shocking!

McMullan, Kate. Have a Hot Time, Hades! New York ; Volo/Hyperion, 2002.

Plot: Hades, Lord of the Underworld, is actually an avid reader. However, he becomes irate when he reads his brother's published description of the Olympians' rise to power. Determined to reveal the truth, he writes this text. Zeus, he reveals, was rescued and guided by his mother. His siblings, including Hades, actually provided order and organization to the formation of the Age of Olympians. Zeus just uses his children to vote himself as overall leader. Additionally, the titans fell to a ten-year ballgame, the organization of the universe depended on a round of poker, and the heroic actions of Zeus were anything but.

Genre: Humor, Myth

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Phone Home, Persephone!, It's All Greek to Me

Personal Thoughts: Written three years before Percy Jackson, the series focuses on Greek myths through both a humorous and modern tone. According to modern sensibilities, much of the Greek gods' behavior was...questionable. Throwing in modern references and ample humor, the title offers a funny and oddly relatable story.

Battle Bunny

 Mosasaur forts: the only known protection against battle bunnies

Scieszka, Jon. Battle Bunny. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2013.

Plot: Originally a sappy story about a rabbit recepiant of a surprise party, the title morphs into an epic tale through the intervention of Alex. Alex utilizes his imagination and pencil to transform an overly-cute birthday present into the record of a helmeted, patch-eyed, meglomaniac bunny and his quest to take over the world. The planet seems doomed until the intervention of an unlikely but undeniable hero.

Genre: Humor, Animals

Reading Level: Aimed at preschool through fourth graders, but it made me and my family laugh.

Similar Titles: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, The Math Curse, Help Me Mr. Mutt: Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems

Personal Thoughts: Anyone ever obligated to read, accept, or acknowledge a title clearly written for a lower reading (or interest) level will appreciate Alex's creative solution to the problem. The "original" illustrations and text are appropriately sickly-sweet, while Alex's improvements tap into the typical drawing and interest style of elementary students. The result is a title that, while hard to describe, is undeniably fun to read. 

43 Old Cemetery Road: Hollywood Dead Ahead

Moving forward

Klise, Kate and Klise, Sarah. 43 Old Cemetery Road: Hollywood Dead Ahead. Boston : Harcourt Children's Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.

Plot: The fifth of the 43 Old Cemetery Road series begins with an important-looking letter from a famous Hollywood director. Pleased by the collaborative writings of the 43 Old Cemetery Road residents, the director plans to make a movie based on the series. Elderly Iggy remains skeptical, while Seymour, like any kid, wants to have a role in the film. Much to the surprise of both, Olive, the mansion's resident ghost, eagerly looks forward to her part in the movie. Hollywood does not prove to be nearly as inviting as expected. Initial thrills eventually fade to frustration, stress, and betrayal. Still, the family manages to escape the worst clause in the ordeal. Ivana Oscar, a famous actress, unwittingly promises to die during the film. The family and the actress must unite to stop the savage Hollywood executives.

Genre: Adventure, Humor

Reading Level: Grades 2-6

Similar Titles: My Haunted House, The Haunting of Granite Falls

Personal Thoughts: Creative narration saves the title from becoming a typical Hollywood story. While the pretext remains common, the characters manage to show enough individuality to benefit the tale, as well. A new title in the series is expected next year.

The Phantom Tollbooth

Fantastic title (double-points for word play)

Juster, Norton. The Phantom Tollbooth. New York : Random House, 1961.

Plot: Milo, bored with school, toys, learning, and life in general finds an unexpected package waiting for him. After assembling the gift into a cardboard tollbooth  with a guidebook and some coins for toll, he drives his toy car through it. He finds himself in a nonsensical world of words, math, senses, philosophies, and peril. The land is plagued due to the banishment of the good princesses Rhyme and Reason. Determined to save the land, Milo seeks to save the princesses with the help of the noble watchdog, Tock, and the reluctant know-it-all, Humbug. However, the rescue will require the assistance of every source of benevolent power in the kingdom.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Growing Up, Humor

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Journey to the Blue Moon, The Wayfinder, Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarian

Personal Thoughts: After viewing this book in nearly every library in existence, I finally got the nerve to read the title. I discovered why it is found everywhere. The story itself contains a pleasant mix of creative characters, clever plot devices, and smart word plays. Also, the moral of the tale remains highly relevant over fifty years after its creation. While the current generation enjoys enormous amounts of information and entertainment, like Milo, it needs to learn the value of such opportunities. However, the plot manages to display the lesson without becoming a dull morality play. I may need to purchase this title.

The text inspired several plays, musicals, operas, and films.

Side Note: I wonder if current readers will compare the Terrible Trivium to Slenderman.

Titus Rules!

I'll just take this

King-Smith, Dick. Titus Rules!. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2003.

Plot: While Queen Elizabeth II of England enjoys the service of the land, she personally serves her pack of Welsh corgis. Titus, the youngest dog, learns quickly to treat his servant well. He takes his lessons to heart by protecting Her Majesty's jewelry, castle, and husband. However, he must also face a thief, a prince, and a jealous rival. Still, he rises as a king among the dogs while steadily encouraging the king and queen to bond.

Genre: Animals, Humor

Reading Level: Grades 1-6

Similar Titles: Hank the Cowdog series, The Invisible Dog

Personal Thoughts: The title provides a short, funny view of the royal family. While Titus' antics fill most of the plot, the story also touches on aspects such as affection, loyalty, respect, and love through the interactions of the king and queen. The two royals fight constantly, but they also understand and genuinely care for each other. However, the deeper aspects of the story remain light, preventing the story from becoming preachy or sappy. 

Darth Vader and Son

Brown, Jeff. Darth Vader and Son. San Francisco : Chronicle Books, 2012.

Plot: What if Darth Vader took an active role in raising Luke? The book offers answers through a series of colored comics. Many images reflect everyday situations, such as work, shopping, and naptime with the added complications of Wookies, emperors, bounty hunters, and Jar Jar Binks toys. Fans of the movies will recognize quotes, characters, and concepts from the films.

Genre: Comics, Science Fiction, Humor

Reading Level: All ages

Similar Titles: Star Wars Origami,  I Want to Be a Jedi

Personal Thoughts: A funny, easy to read book with strong and accurate references to the movie series.


Side Note: This book saved my sister from receiving nothing but gift cards from me for her birthday.

Every Thing on It: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein

 
Silverstein, Shel. Every Thing on It: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein. New York : Harper, 2011.

Plot: Published after the passing of the popular children's poet, the text consists of over one hundred previously unprinted work by Silverstein. Like his previous titles,  poems play with the quirks, fears, games, thoughts, and lessons encountered during childhood. They also showcase Silverstein's classic humor through ink illustrations. A very funny title.

Genre: Humor, Poetry

Reading Level:  Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Where the Sidewalk Ends, My Dog May Be a Genius, Food Hates You Too

Personal Thoughts: Any fan of Where the Sidwalk Ends or A Light in the Attic should read the title. It maintains Silverstein's classic brand of humor and timelessness, offering a good introduction to poetry to young readers, as well.

How to Be a Werewolf: The Claws-On Guide for the Modern Lycanthrope

Valentino, Serena. How to Be a Werewolf: The Claws-On Guide for the Modern Lycanthrope. Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2011.

Plot: The text offers guidance for those fortunate to find themselves living with lycanthropy. While folklore-based shapeshifters, such as the kitsune and Beast of Gévaudan, find mention, the book also addresses movie and television show creations, such as the Wolf Man and Jacob Black. Additionally, the text offers basic information such as pack organization, hunter avoidance methods, and transformation processes. Several chapters also recommend specific lifestyles, music, and hobbies for enthusiastic lycanthropes.

Genre: Fantasy, Humor, Horror

Reading Level: Grades 6 and up; be warned, some of the recommended movies and songs may be ill-suited for younger readers

Similar Titles: How to Be a Vampire: The Fangs-On Guide for the Newly Undead, How to Be a Zombie: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Craves Brains

Personal Thoughts: The title has potential. Stories about werewolves enjoy a high popularity in traditions worldwide. The text also includes brightly colored illustrations and visually pleasing print. However, much of the actual text focuses on a mash of fashion and music guides, which seems out of place. Additionally, the music, television shows, and movie recommendations consist of titles unintended for children in the sixth grade. As a result, the glossy text fails to reach its full capacity.

Side Note: I brought the book to work. Many of my co-workers now wonder about me.

Night at the Museum

Night at the Museum distributed by Twentieth Century Fox.

Plot: Larry's attempts to patent dubious inventions fail to provide steady income. To keep his house and his son's visitation rights, he needs a stable job. The natural history museum's need for a night watchman seems ideal, since it requires no previous experience. His predecessors fail to mention a rather important fact during his training, though. After the museum closes, every exhibit, display, and model comes to life! Larry must adjust to a workplace inhabited by dinosaur skeletons, miniatures, and wax figures. Additionally, some of his allies may not be quite as benign (or hostile) as initially believed.

Genre: Fantasy, Movies, Humor

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: National Treasure, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Personal Thoughts: The movie did not receive very high reviews. That said, I enjoyed it. It relies on some overdone movie staples, such as father-son relationships, slapstick humor, and never giving up. However, it also focuses on a thought that enters any museum guest at some point: what would happen if these were real? 


A sequel, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, reached theaters in 2009.

Esio Trot

Dahl, Ronald. Esio Trot. New York : Viking, 1990.

Plot: Old, retired Mr. Hoppy loves two things: his flower-covered patio and his neighbor, Mrs. Silver. The widow remains ignorant of his affection, though she does love her pet tortoise, Alfie. Unfortunately, Alfie does not seem to grow, much to his mistress's distress. Realizing his chance to gain her affections and become her hero, Mr. Hoppy offers her a foolproof plan to make Alfie grow quickly. He gives her some words to encourage Alfie to increase in size, but, unbeknownst to her, continues his plot with the help of a tortoise-grabber, a canvas sheet, and one hundred forty tortoises.

Genre: Animals, Humor, Unexpected Heroes

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Miss Daisy is Crazy!, The Invisible Moose, The BFG

Personal Thoughts: A somewhat unusual novel for Dahl, the story examines a man's quest to become a hero in his beloved's eyes. Like many of Dahl's protagonists, though, Mr. Hoppy can only succeed through the use of his wits and his kindly nature. The story is simple, sweet, and cleverly written, providing an excellent light read.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

DiCamillo, Mercy. Mercy Watson to the Rescue. Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2005.

Plot: Mr. and Mrs. Watson adore Mercy, their pet pig. Mercy, in turn, loves them, especially when they sing her a lullaby before she goes to sleep. After the song, though, she gets scared of the dark. Determined to get a good night's sleep, she sneaks into the Watsons' bed. Unfortunately, the bed cannot hold their collective weight. Mr. and Mrs. Watson get stuck in the collapsing bed, keeping Mercy from enjoying her breakfast. Determined to get a snack, she journey's to the neighbors' house. Yet, her mission to get something to eat may be exactly what the Watsons need to escape.

Genre: Animals, Humor

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Ivy and Bean, Little Horse, Mercy Watson series

Personal Thoughts: Unlike much of DiCamillo's writing, the book is satisfied with being a simple story without deeper reflections on relationships. Like most of her writing, though, the characters are both humorous and over-the-top. The series also plays with the ideas of perception versus reality, particularly regarding the reasoning for Mercy's supposed rescue.

Alcatraz versus the Shattered Lens

Sanderson, Brandon. Alcatraz versus the Shattered Lens. New York : Scholastic Press, 2010.

Plot: Alcatraz's shock at his father's abrupt and unscheduled exit leaves him confused and frustrated, but he does not have the luxury of considering it. Tuki Tuki is under attack by an army of evil Librarians, but no other nation seems willing to help. Determined to spare the country, Alcatraz escapes, hoping to lure the power of the knights to the battered country. Yet, the knights seem reluctant to mobilize. Alcatraz must take the place of the fallen king, armed only with his talent for breaking things, quick wit, luck, and friends' advice. Can the country last? Will the talent assist more than cripple? Why do the librarians press their attack? How does the war relate to his father's journey? Will he fulfill the prophecy of the cheese sandwich? 

Genre: Humor, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians, The Legend of Spud Murphy

Personal Thoughts: If Lewis Carroll and J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a book together, it would be much like this one. The high stakes, unexpected heroes, and mythical powers of fantasy collide with goofy chases, airplanes shaped like butterflies, and koala-flavored ice cream. Brandon peppers his novel with parodies of popular writing techniques, clichés, and fantasy elements. For example, during one notable scene, Alcatraz plans to simply sneak into a guarded city under the cover of night. When his companions complain about the plan, he offers an addendum. They will sneak into the city under the cover of night while quoting Hamlet. They do, and hijinks ensue.

One minor complaint. The novel ends on a severe cliffhanger. However, the author only signed a contract for four novels. He may be trying to force the publisher to offer him an additional contract, or he may just wish to leave with an open ending. Either way, it is frustrating for the readers. Frustrating enough to encourage a reader, say, a potential librarian, consider the dark side...

Side note: I may or may not have actually received the maternal unit's permission to use her glasses for the picture.

Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters

Czekai, Jef. Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters. Somerville, MA : Czekaj Press : Distributed by Top Shelf Productions, 2004.

Plot: Required to provide an obligatory "what I did this summer" report, Julie launches into an epic tale of a great shark hunt. With her grampa, she hopes to capture the world's largest shark, only to be hijacked by a pair of rapping animals, rescued by ocean monkeys, scammed by business cats, and captured by pirates. Yet, the story does not end in the ocean. The two reach the limits of outer space and the North Pole, forever seeking the elusive shark and its biggest wish... to find his gum-chewing friend from long ago.

Genre: Comics

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Personal Thoughts: A humorous, over-the-top story presented as a back to school report. Apparently, pieces of the comic originally starred in the Nickelodeon Magazine. Like Wimpy Kid, Julie's story plays on the concept of a kid-written style with illustrations supporting the text. However, Julie appears calmer and considerably more mature than her fellow characters, particularly her grampa. She tends to fall in the "kid in an adult body" trap. Still, the book reads quickly and amusingly, providing a great "next read" for Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants: An Epic Novel

Pilkey, Dav. The Adventures of Captain Underpants: An Epic Novel. New York : Blue Sky Press, 1997.

Plot: George and Herold's pranks finally get the better of them when Mr. Krump, the meanest school principle ever, catches them on tape. Threatened with exposure, the boys are forced to obey Mr. Krump's every whim. Frustrated by their obligatory obedience, the boys decide to hypnotise their blackmailer into submission. However, their plan goes terribly awry when they trick him into believing he is their self-made superhero, Captain Underpants. Determined to save the city, the man leaps into action with the two boys desperately attempting to stop him. Yet, no hero can pause when the evil Dr. Diaper plans to run amok.

Genre: Humor

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Stories: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Personal Thoughts: Much like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Pilkey's series relies both on text and on illustrations to relay the story. Also, the protagonists of both series are, by most standards, not good influences. Unlike the wimpy kid, the Captain's series frequently finds itself on the banned bookshelf due to the crass subject matter (undergarments) and rebellion against authority figures. While I understand the concerns of the bans, most children will realize Harold and George's exploits are not meant to be mimicked and the novels can prove useful for tempting the most elusive of readers - tween boys.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Robot Monster

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Robot Monster produced by Best Brains.


Plot: Two mad scientists seek to conquer the world by exposing the population to terrible movies. They hope to discover the ultimate bad movie capable of rendering the viewers comatose, preventing any form of resistance. To test their movies, the scientists subject their former janitor, Joel, and his two robotic creations to weekly viewings. Joel and the robots must use their wit and sarcasm to keep themselves sane by "riffing" (mocking) the films. This particular episode features a science fiction soap opera as a short and a post-apocalyptic as a feature film. The main movie relates the story of the last family on earth as they struggle against the evil Ro-Man, a faceless creature in a gorilla suit and a fishbowl helmet. Also, the film features fights with dinosaurs, lizards, and a baby alligator with a sail strapped to its back.

Genre: Campy Movies, Cult Classic, Humor

Reading Level: Use caution due to language

Similar Titles: Mystery Science Theater: The Movie, The Rifftrax series

Personal Thoughts: A delightful mocking of a truly awful film. The monster is not scary, the editing is terrible, the story is stupid, and the lizard fight is random. Still, the 'bots and Joel manage to make it enjoyable by shamelessly tearing every bad aspect of the film with jokes, pop culture references, and visual gags. This particular episode was filmed fairly early in the series' history, so some of the characters are still developing. Also, some of the voices, particularly Tom Servo's, change dramatically after a few seasons. Still, the film provides a solid source of entertainment after the MST3K's treatment.

Side note: It is sad when Jerome looks more monstrous and realistic than the titular creature.

Muppet Treasure Island

 Muppet Treasure Island produced by Disney.

Plot: The classic tale of treasure-seekers as told by the muppets. While the main plot follows the original story fairly accurately, the movie takes an appropriate comedic twist. Which is to be expected when the captain is a frog puppet.

Genre: Movies, Treasure Island, Humor

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Title: The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan

Personal Thoughts: The movie combines classic muppet humor, songs, and situations with a work of literature. Generally, it received favorable reviews, although some protest the "childish" version of a classic novel.