Lizard Music

Pinkwater, Daniel Manus. Lizard Music. New York : Dodd, Mead, 1976.

Dragon glares...

Plot: Without his parents or older sister to tell him otherwise, Victor can stay up late and watch television. After news programs and B movies, the lizards arrive. They play music in a strange band for several hours, but no one else seems to see or even know about them. Mystified, Victor slowly finds himself seeking the lizards. Under the guidance of the Chicken Man and Claudia (the chicken), Victor becomes embroiled in a quest to discover the lizards and stop the pod people.

Genre: Science Fiction

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: My Cousin the Alien, Super Sasquatch Showdown, Fortunately, the Milk

Personal Thoughts: The text blends positives and negatives. On the positive side, the novel includes deadpan humor (similar to Coraline), intriguing characters, over-the-top situations, and creative concepts. However, it also includes dated diction, irrelevant pop culture references, and possibly racist undertones. Whether the positives outweigh the negatives relies heavily on the reader.

One other interesting aspect of the plot was Victor's role. He provides narration for the story, but he is not the primary character. He is absent from the major events throughout the plot, but the reader still only has his perspective. It is a strange sort of reversal from most other tween titles, and the variety adds a subtle, but intriguing, aspect to the text.

Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery

 

It's just silly

O'Malley, Kevin. Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery. New York : Walker Pub. Co., 2005.

Plot: A strange object crashes into Eon, a moon near Jurassica. Desperate for answers, the dinosaur inhabitants call on the great hero, Captain Raptor, to find the UFO and discover its intentions. He rapidly arms the Megatooth and its crew for the unexpected, which inevitably happens. The mission, however, ends with strangely familiar beings on the moon.


Genre: Science Fiction, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: Oh no! Not Again!, If I Had a Raptor

Personal Thoughts: A story about space-faring dinosaurs is pretty original, but the illustrations and lettering make the title memorable. The text uses an Indiana Jones-like style to add dramatic flair. By contrast, the illustrations use a more traditional style, reminiscent of oil paintings. The combination results in a title similar to old science fiction movie posters. 

Transformers: Prime

 Optimus is the best

Transformers: Prime presented by Hasbro Studios.

Plot: Following eons of war, the heroic Autobots find themselves on a strange planet inhabited by complex organic life. The planet, Earth, is one of the strangest they have encountered, but they quickly find allies among the humans. Three children form a team with the Autobots to help them adjust to the new land. However, the Autobots did not arrive alone. The evil Decepticons, lead by the former gladiator Megatron, also discover the planet. Unlike the Autobots, they do not crave peace, but domination at all costs.

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Television Shows, Science Fiction

Reading Level: I believe the show is rated TV-Y7; watchers may need to be cautioned about violence. Due to the robotic nature of most fights, however, there is not a lot of gore.

Similar Titles: Green Lantern: The Animated Series; Batman: The Animated Series

Personal Thoughts: The show represents a growing trend among animated programs. While they continue to be made for children, they also appeal to adults through character development and complex stories. It also displays realistic results. Heroism requires sacrifices with effects that do not disappear in the next episode. For example, when a character dies or gets injured, they stay dead or traumatized. While this makes good storytelling, it can also be too intense for sensitive viewers. For fans of character and action-focused programs, though, the series can be rewarding.

Side Note: I like how the kids act like actual characters. Previous series tend to fall into the trap of keeping children as props or loads.

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.

All New Tenchi Muyo!: Pet Peeves (vol 6)

 

Okuda, Hitoshi Okuda and Burke, Fred. All New Tenchi Muyo! Pet Peeves (vol 6). San Fransisco : Viz, LLC, 2005.

 

Plot: The classic story of rivalry and love between a boy...and three aliens. While the concept is interesting in itself, this volume introduces a new twist. After foiling the plans of a poacher, Tenchi and company find themselves caring for a cute, wide-eyed, dragon-like creature known as a miitsu. The little blue miitsu quickly gains the favor of the household. However, she also contains the capacity to become a threat, not only to the protagonists, but the entire alien civilization. Two brief additional stories parody the common manga themes of the daily life of a schoolgirl and the similar-different future.

 

Genre: Science Ficition, Romance, Humor, Manga, Graphic Novel

 

Reading Level: Rated Teen for violence and sexual innuendo

Similar Titles: Ah! My Goddess, Ranma 1/2, Case Closed

 

Personal Thoughts: A solid, goofy science fiction manga. The series is a bit like a Japanese version of Scooby Doo, lasting several generations in many different incarnations and spin-offs. Like Scooby, though, the basic premises remains the same despite the recreations: focusing on the bizarre love triangle Tenchi finds himself almost constantly in.

Dragon Ball Z

Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Z (Vol 1).San Francisco : Viz Comics, 2002.

Plot: Following the events of Dragon Ball, Goku reunites with his friends and teacher. Much to their surprise, the young man arrives with his son, the four-year-old Gohan. The meeting is cut short by the arrival of an aggressive, flying foe. The man claims to be Goku's older brother, and alerts his younger brother of his mission to destroy all life on Earth. To force Goku to participate, the stranger kidnaps his son and hold him for a ransom of one hundred dead humans. Furious at the alien's demands and determined to rescue his son, Goku finds an unlikely ally. The two manage to defeat the foe, but two more, stronger, opponents promise to come in a year's time...

Genre: Manga, Graphic Novels, Adventure, Science Fiction

Reading Level: Rated Teen for violence and sexual innuendo

Similar Titles: Lum, Naruto, One Piece 

Personal Titles: The novel is one of the most famous manga worldwide. It, as well as its sequels and prequel, instigated a number of movies, video games, and television shows and led to the recognition of manga as a genre. That said, it does not age particularly well, in my opinion. The plot seems much slower than it needs to be due to the frequent action sequences, which seem to distract from the story rather than add to it. The characters are broad stereotypes, such as the determined fighter, arrogant prince, smart but flakey girl, and goofball friend. Some critics also argue it becomes too formulaic, particularly in its later volumes.

It should be noted the original translation was aimed at adults, not tweens. As such, some of the imagery and humor is not intended for younger audiences, so use caution before recommending the novels.

Side Note: Dreamworks dragon disapproves of lack of dragons in Dragon Ball.

Treasure Planet

 
Treasure Planet produced by Disney.

Plot: A sci-fi version of the classic swashbuckling tale. Instead of sailing to the island of treasure, the crew take a ship-rocket hybrid. The captain is a cat-woman, the first mate is a talking rock, Ben Gunn is a robot, and a certain cook is a cyborg with an unexpected heart.

Genre: Science Fiction, Treasure Island, Animation, Movies

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Titan A.E.

Personal Thoughts: The movie received mixed reviews. Much of the "original" aspects of the re-telling are gimmicky, such as a spaceship-sailing ship. Also, most of the characters fit into ridged stereotypes. For example, the captain is the tough chick, the doctor is the goofy scholar, and Jim is the troubled teen. The characters fail to surprise or captivate the audience, since they are largely mirrors of other films.

Still, the movie does provide value, especially from a film history perspective. Treasure Planet represents one of the last attempts to mingle science fiction, computer graphics, and traditional animation. Similar titles, such as Titan A.E., tried similar techniques. While the methods proved unpopular, they do reveal a brief, but meaningful, period of experimentation in animation history, when studios tried to combine old animation with new technology while keeping both aspects distinct, rather than interdependent.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

O'Brien, Robert C. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM. : New York, Atheneum, 1971.

Plot: Mrs. Jonathan Frisby, a recently widowed mouse, must move quickly. The winter frost is gone and the farmer will soon plow the garden where she and her four children live. However, her youngest child, Timmy, falls ill. If she tries to move him to a safer location, the chill could kill him. Following the advice of Jeremy, a crow, she seeks the help of the Great Owl. He tells her to ask the rats, since the reputation of her husband will make them amiable. At the rat colony, she discovers Jonathan and the rats escaped from NIMH, a laboratory. As a result of the lab's experiments, the rats are intelligent, capable of using electricity, reading, and building tools. Frustrated by their life of theft, the rats plan to move to Thorn Valley and create their own civilization. Due to her husband's contributions to the plan, the rats agree to move the mouse's house. Yet, in the process, Mrs. Frisby discovers NIMH is not finished with the rats just yet.

Genre: Animals, Science Fiction

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Matilda, Charlotte's Web, Trumpet of the Swan

Personal Thoughts: I consider this to be a science fiction novel due to the explanation for the rat's intelligence. They do not naturally know how to read or use electricity. Instead, they develop it through scientific experimentation and personal curiosity. Surprisingly, the author does not focus on the issue of animal testing. Instead, he focuses on the responsibility of the rats. They no longer exist as simple rats, nor do they have the desire to. They are too smart. Yet, they also realize using human resources makes them lazy. If they want to maintain their civilized nature, they need to exercise their own independence. People must resist the urge to become complacent, as well. Without working for better, more responsible lifestyles, people become stagnant. Perhaps the novel remains popular because of its cautionary nature. Readers realize they must continue to grow, even at the risk of inconvenience, or stifle and loose the ability to adapt.

The title provided the basis for a movie in 1982. It continues to enjoy critical and commercial acclaim. 

Side note: has anyone else noticed that talking animal books always, ALWAYS include mice at some point? I am not complaining, I just find it strange.