I saw today's read and wanted to immediately take a peek. The cover screams excitement and action, while that alien hints at ridiculous humor. I'm all for that, since light-hearted and fun reads soothe the soul. Yep, they are a blast of fresh air, sometimes, and let the imagination soar.
I hope it's as silly and fun as I hope it will be. Only one way to find out if it is! So, let's go...
BRAXTON & BOOGER
Surviving Space School
Part 1
by Shannon Maguire
and Andy Baird
Children's Science Fiction
Graphic Novel
COMING...
AUGUST 31st!!!
Goodbye, Math and English. Hello, Aliens 101 and Combat Simulation.
Braxton Keller’s new middle school schedule has him actually looking forward to starting a new school. He’s just enrolled in a secret space school that trains kids how to protect the world from aliens. That’s right. Aliens exist, and middle school kids are kicking their butts. It’s a dream come true until Braxton meets the class bully, who points out what a clutz he is. She also gives him horrible news about his future. If he can’t stop tripping over his own feet long enough to pass his combat exam, he’ll get kicked out of school. Things look bleak until one of the aliens he’s supposed to destroy says he comes in peace and can help Braxton pass his exam. The alien, whom he nicknames Booger, turns out to be a lot of trouble but also a lot of fun. Everything is going great until Braxton uncovers a shocking secret about Booger’s past.
Will Booger turn out to be Braxton’s new best friend or his worst nightmare? Booger and Braxton: Surviving Space School is an action-packed science fiction graphic novel for all ages that will have you laughing out loud from start to finish.
MY TIDBITS
Space and adventure mix with alien cleverness to form an quick-paced and fun read.
Braxton pulls a super-high score on a video game, and the next thing he knows, he's invited to attend a very special, super cool middle school. Or that's what the cover story is. He's being recruited to a secret agency, which destroys aliens. That means combat classes and more. While Braxton has no doubt he'll slide through everything with ease, it soon becomes clear that this group of kids isn't that easy of a bunch. He's the number one failure, immediately, and starts to get bullied because of it. When he comes fact-to-face with an alien, the creature pleads to make a deal. It will help Braxton become one of the best at the school if Braxton lets it eat things like pizza and ice cream. But aliens are clever and this might be the worst deal ever...but Braxton isn't sure he has a choice.
From the very first page, this read slams into hyper-drive and fun. Each graphic hits with purpose to make sure that no time is lost or wasted. While it begins with Braxton's amazing gaming skills, it quickly switches gear to secret agents in black...and this with a nice dose of humor as each dialogue and personality carries quirks and a hint of silliness. When the alien academy comes, it's clear that there isn't even squish room for boredom...and it's good so. Scifi imagination beams from every page in a cartoony way.
At first, this comes across as a read, packed with silliness and action for the sheer purpose of fun, but it holds more. Braxton's confidence is all but demolished as he's forced to realize that there are kids out there, who are better than him. His determination to train and meet the standards is inspirational, too. Then, there's the entire 'kill all aliens' attitude of the school, which adds the question of right vs wrong, and the gray areas of life. Even the relationship between Braxton and the alien holds open questions, which will give readers a bit to consider on that end.
This is read fits very well to beginning readers, who are sure of their words but need more practice before heading into thicker tales. The vocabulary pushes just a bit, at times, but not enough to scare off even more reluctant readers. The text is kept concise and directed, while the illustrations let the fun soar. These are bright and bold, and bring across the scifi aspect with tons of energy.
Fans of fast-paced action and silly humor are sure to enjoy this one quite a bit.
And here they are...
Andy Baird previously worked as a graphic designer before deciding to create graphic novels, and Shannon Maguire loves writing humor and has taken courses in stand-up comedy and improv. They are a husband and wife comic-creating team who live in Canada.
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