Can of Worms

Great fun to read! Not your typical sci-fi shoot-em-up-evil-aliens encounter. Actually a whimsical coming-of-age story with an unusual twist. Interesting Trivia: Can of Worms was one of the first really successful movies made for and by the Disney Channel. Check out the cast members on IMDB.com to find some very high-wattage surprises!

What a wonderful and exciting book! I read this book aloud to my third grade students and it kept them on the edge of their seats! This book sparked many interesting class discussions and when the students found out that there was a sequel to the book, the insisted that it become a part of our library. Mike, the smart child in the seventh grade, displays quite the imagination by sharing the Hanzel Chronicles with his friends. He is looked at as an outsider until the most popular girl asks him to help her with the Halloween dance. He makes friends with the popular jock in the school and the three of them team up with the help of Barnabus to fight evil aliens! This is a must read for any upper elementary child.

Is there really such things as aliens, UFO's??? Who heard of such a thing?? In this book a kid has a strong feeling that he wasn't born here, in other words an ALIEN!!!!! He and a bunch of his frineds gather in his club house every night and he tells storys of different aliens that are bad. One thime he gets up to a story about his people, or so he thinks his people!! He is the smartest kid in 7th grade and he plays football too. He has barely any friends and until one day he gets asked to help decorate the gym for Halloween by the most popular girl in school... the tables turn for him!! But his old friend and also best friend doesn't like him being "popular" so he decides to shun him. One day while he is walking home from school he walks in his house and finds a real live alien in his room making slime balls all over the floor!! He can't believe it!!!! Has this alien come to take him "home" and if it is will he accept the invintation???

Can of Worms by Kathy MackelHave you ever felt that you just don't fit in, that you're different from everyone else? Mike Pillsbury, a seventh grader feels that way. As a matter of fact, he is certain that he is in actuality an alien in human disguise. When, with the help of his parents' satellite dishes, he calls for help from his "fellow citizens of the galaxy," the fun begins. Not only does he get a response, but far more than he ever expected. Aliens from across the universe respond to Mike's cry for help. A Bom lawyer, a slimey worm-creature who is prepared to sue on Mike's behalf, Barnabus, the political activist concerned with civil rights violations, and the alien agent who wants to make Mike a star are just a few of the alien's that will have you in stitches. Aside from being a fun tale, this book is also a wry commentary on American society where everyone seems to want a piece of the action. Mackel has crafted a fun tale, full of fantasy, whimsey and adventure that will keep even the most reluctant reader enchanted. A must read for young people of all ages.

This is a thoroughly engaging and well-written story with good lead character development. As a librarian, I would definitely purchase it for the collection.