New Kid Catastrophes

Short, strange and funny, this new series for younger readers by Bill Myers (author of Blood of Heaven, Eli) promises to be funny with this great first book about two 23rd century boys who go back to the 21st century to study TJ Finkelstein, a young woman who will become the most influential and important president who eliminates world hunger, etc., and actually become stranded without fuel in her time. But this TJ Finkelstein, a new junior high student, isn't the same TJ who will someday lead the world into greatness - at least not yet. She's a typical teen: obsessed with appearances, a neighbor, tormented by mean other students, and struggling to cope with the loss of her mother, whose death left behind a husband and three daughters to make it on their own. And Herby and Tuna aren't exactly helping her popularity.

The reading is short, the sentences are simple.  This would be great for both young men and young women. Each of the noises she makes (like arggghh) is accentuated by thick bold letters, which usually happens about every page. A bit annoying at first, but the reader gets used to it. However, all the incidents that happen to Hesper and TJ seem a little odd, almost unrealistic and almost like it wouldn't happen. Still, it's rather clever and creative.

It's probably a 3 on a scale of 1-5.

Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,

Rachel