by Marilyn Sadler
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Stuck on Earth: Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) by Marilyn Sadler |
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This chipper chapter book imagines life in the year 2049, chronicling the adventures of high-energy fifth-grader Zenon Kar. This is the latest in a series begun with the author-illustrator team's 1996 picture book Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, which led to a Disney Channel movie. Zenon lives on a space station high above earth where live pets are not allowed. She longs for a Tobo brand robotic dog, the hottest toy in the galaxy, but her frugal father buys her a Bobo, a cheaper knock-off, instead. However, something happens to make her appreciate her Bobo for what it is, and to understand her father's attitudes. Kids--especially those caught up in the Furby, or, more recently, Poochi and Meowchi craze--will likely relate to the themes of peer pressure and materialism, which Sadler (the P.J. Funnybunny books) handles admirably by nestling them in a barrage of funky Zenon-speak. As drawn in Bollen's cartoonish style, Zenon could be a cousin of animated character Judy Jetson, arriving at the mall on her hoverboard or zipping to the Mars Malt. Though the premise may not be groundbreaking, the thought of life "out there" is still a draw for young readers. Ages 6-9. (Jan.) month; a second Zenon chapter book will be published in July 2001.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-The energetic heroine of this beginning chapter book is fifth-grader Zenon Kar, who acts like a typical American kid even though she lives on a space station in the year 2049. The latest rage is a robotic Tobo dog because real pets aren't allowed on the space station. It tells jokes and does homework. Naturally, Zenon wants one, but her dad buys the cheaper copy, Bobo, which can barely speak and cannot handle homework. When all of the Tobo dogs turn on their owners, good old Bobo rescues Zenon's best friend from her attacking canine. Even better, Zenon gets the only A in her class for doing her own homework-all of the other assignments were identical, done by the owners' Tobo dogs, of course. All the same, Bobo disappears thinking that Zenon really doesn't want him, but in the end, all is resolved happily. This is a fun read even though the plot is predictable. The "rooting for the underdog" theme (in this case, literally) makes it even more attractive. The only drawback is the plethora of slang terms that will force readers into using the 12-page glossary, cleverly disguised as chapter 12 and entitled, "Zenon's Guide to Space Station Slang." Black-and-white cartoons appear on every page; some are full page. This will be a popular choice for those familiar with the other "Zenon" books or the Disney TV movie.
Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
See all Editorial Reviews
This chipper chapter book imagines life in the year 2049, chronicling the adventures of high-energy fifth-grader Zenon Kar. This is the latest in a series begun with the author-illustrator team's 1996 picture book Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, which led to a Disney Channel movie. Zenon lives on a space station high above earth where live pets are not allowed. She longs for a Tobo brand robotic dog, the hottest toy in the galaxy, but her frugal father buys her a Bobo, a cheaper knock-off, instead. However, something happens to make her appreciate her Bobo for what it is, and to understand her father's attitudes. Kids--especially those caught up in the Furby, or, more recently, Poochi and Meowchi craze--will likely relate to the themes of peer pressure and materialism, which Sadler (the P.J. Funnybunny books) handles admirably by nestling them in a barrage of funky Zenon-speak. As drawn in Bollen's cartoonish style, Zenon could be a cousin of animated character Judy Jetson, arriving at the mall on her hoverboard or zipping to the Mars Malt. Though the premise may not be groundbreaking, the thought of life "out there" is still a draw for young readers. Ages 6-9. (Jan.) month; a second Zenon chapter book will be published in July 2001.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-The energetic heroine of this beginning chapter book is fifth-grader Zenon Kar, who acts like a typical American kid even though she lives on a space station in the year 2049. The latest rage is a robotic Tobo dog because real pets aren't allowed on the space station. It tells jokes and does homework. Naturally, Zenon wants one, but her dad buys the cheaper copy, Bobo, which can barely speak and cannot handle homework. When all of the Tobo dogs turn on their owners, good old Bobo rescues Zenon's best friend from her attacking canine. Even better, Zenon gets the only A in her class for doing her own homework-all of the other assignments were identical, done by the owners' Tobo dogs, of course. All the same, Bobo disappears thinking that Zenon really doesn't want him, but in the end, all is resolved happily. This is a fun read even though the plot is predictable. The "rooting for the underdog" theme (in this case, literally) makes it even more attractive. The only drawback is the plethora of slang terms that will force readers into using the 12-page glossary, cleverly disguised as chapter 12 and entitled, "Zenon's Guide to Space Station Slang." Black-and-white cartoons appear on every page; some are full page. This will be a popular choice for those familiar with the other "Zenon" books or the Disney TV movie.
Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
See all Editorial Reviews
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