I am the Walrus by Neal Shusterman
2023; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 76; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2023.0093
ISSN1558-6766
Autores Tópico(s)Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
ResumoReviewed by: I am the Walrus by Neal Shusterman April Spisak Shusterman, Neal I am the Walrus; written by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman. Little, 2023 [400p] (The N.O.A.H. Files) Trade ed. ISBN 9780759555242 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780759555259 $9.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 5-7 Noah has no clue why he is suddenly behaving so . . . weird, and while he knows his fourteen-year-old peers may be struggling with their bodies, he’s pretty certain they’re not exhibiting animal traits (camouflage, growing spikes, mating rituals) when under stress. Things are getting increasingly weird—dangerously so—in the rest of his life after his parents, sister, a teacher, and a whole bunch of strangers all turn out to have secret missions or agendas; some of them are not even human and most of them do not have Noah’s best interests at heart. Fortunately, he’s got his quirky bestie Ogden and reluctant new friend (and crush) Sahara as support as he tries to figure out his life and, more importantly, evade the relentless agents who would rather he not have a life at all. It is a good thing that this novel is only volume one, as there is a lot to unpack here, with Noah’s remarkable abilities at the center of inter-alien battles for control of the Earth. A subplot involving a disgraced scientist is an unnecessary diversion, but most of the core characters and events are essential in highlighting how small Noah’s circle of trustworthy folks are and how quickly everything goes from perfectly normal to baffling and life threatening. The sharp humor is effective and terrific, but it is likely Noah himself, a protagonist so worth rooting for as a loyal, earnest, and innocent victim of an interplanetary war, that will likely have readers eagerly anticipating the sequel. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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