Looniverse #1: Stranger Things (A Branches Book)
Gr 1-3-Boris is an energetic character who longs for adventure, just like those his parents had before they turned their old bus into a house. One day they take him on an adventure of his own. Disappointed at first that it's only to another part of their town, he soon realizes that adventures can happen anywhere-even in his own backyard. This is a fun easy reader book with great full-color cartoons, brief text in large print, and likable characters. A bonus page gives instructions for making a compass, leading to a great interactive experience. Stranger Things has a bit more text and fewer illustrations. Ed feels that he does not have any interesting traits or talents; he is simply an extremely normal boy. However, he has no idea just what is in store for him when he finds a coin that says "strange, stranger." Soon everything is erupting into chaos, from his sister's food train turning into an actual moving train at the dinner table to a friend being able to turn his head completely around. Are these strange happenings trying to send Ed a message? This is a silly book that will pull kids in with the goofy plot and the fun black-and-white illustrations. The truly strange thing about this book is that it references Albert Camus's The Stranger, an odd choice for this audience. These books should be considered for larger libraries wanting to enhance their easy-reader collections.-Elizabeth Swistock, Orange County Public Library, VAα(c) Copyright 2013.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.