Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius
Grade 3-5–Self-styled genius Alex has had it with his little brother. Jonathan is always hanging around–asking weird questions, messing with Alex's stuff, and generally being a pest. Mom says it's all just normal sibling rivalry, but Alex decides there is only one thing to do–leave Earth–and Jonathan–forever. Using his astounding scientific ability–plus lots of grocery boxes, duct tape, and assorted bits of junk, Alex designs theStar Jumper. This advanced cardboard spacecraft will take him across the galaxy to a brother-free planet–if only he can keep the first grader out of the way until liftoff. The first-person narration is lively and realistic, bouncing between mock scientific jargon and exasperated brother-speak. The short text is illustrated with sketches from Alex's invention notebook, including carefully labeled diagrams of the ship and its high-tech, recycling-bin gadgetry. More gently tongue-in-cheek than Dan Greenburg's irreverent Zack Files (Grosset & Dunlap), this early chapter book is a good choice for younger science-fiction fans.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, ILCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.