The True Meaning of Smekday

Oh my gosh. This book is one of THE best books I have read in my entire life. You may be thinking, well, 11 years isn't that long. But I read almost four books PER DAY. My grandpa ordered me this book for christmas, and when I looked at the cover I didn't think I would like it very much. Once I opened it, thought, the plot, the amazingly vivid characters, and the humorous language pulled me in whithin an instant. I couldn't put it down. This book is about an 11 year old girl named Gratuity, but her friends call her Tip. Tip's mom is abducted by a group of aliens called the Boov by a mole on her back that changes color and glows,then the Boov come to Earth, rename it Smekland in honor of the glorious King Smek. The Boov force all the humans to go to Florida, and stay there forever. One Boov named J.Lo (he's a boy, not Jennifer Lopez)befriends Tip, and, well, the whole thing gets complicated, but the book never, ever stops being humerous or gripping.

True Meaning of Smekday, TheYou know you're in for a wonderful ride when the citizens of the U.S. are all relegated to Florida by a group of invading aliens...and you haven't even gotten to page ten. Sly digs at consumerism, Disney World, Manifest Destiny, the treatment of immigrants, Native Americans, and even No Child Left Behind give this book the zing of awesome satire, and like the best children's books, it's written on at least two different levels. Improbable as the plot sounds -- young preteen joins with Artoo-shaped alien to save the planet -- it's a wild ride and one you care about. Plus, did I mention how absolutely FUNNY this book is? The book hooked me when the young heroine, Gratuity Tucci, successfully traps one of the alien Boov (later to call himself "J. Lo," and no, I'm not kidding). The Boov threatens to shoot Gratuity, but realizes he has no phaser. Capitalizing on humans' ignorance of all things Boov, the alien threatens to zing her with his "eye lasers." Capitalizing on the Boov's ignorance of all things human, Gratuity threatens to "explode his head," explaining that humans CAN do this, but usually don't, "because it's rude." Wonderful!

I find myself wishing I had half of Adam Rex's genius with language so that I could at least come close to describing how much I loved reading this book. Tip and J.Lo are a Huck and Jim for the 21st century, and their adventures are everything adventures should be: dizzying, hilarious (truly, I laughed out loud, and I almost never laugh out loud), dazzlingly brave, and crisscrossed with every possible emotion, including sorrow and the kind of fierce, fearless, loyal love only children and renegade Boov can feel. The illustrations are marvelous, but the language is what really hooked me because the language is quirky and lovely and electric and exquisite. Right word after right word after right word until the very end. Mark Twain would be proud. Mark Twain would be jealous! Everyone, everyone should read this book.

Adam's books are always fun to read and view. What a talent-both his sense of humor and drawing skills are outstanding! My wife and I both laughed outloud more than once during this read. We can't wait to share it with our grandchildren, read Adam's next book and meet a Boov, in that order, I hope. My advice-buy it; I'd bet you'll laugh outloud, too.

A very fun read. This book will be appreciated by adults as well as children. Adam takes "pot shots" at a number of contemporary conventions. His illustrations add depth to the readers experience. Make sure to set aside enough time because once you start reading you well have trouble stopping.