Akiko in the Sprubly Islands [Hardcover]

Mark Crilley (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up | Series: Akiko

In this companion novel to Akiko on the Planet Smoo, fourth-grade earthling Akiko and her odd team are on a journey to save the kidnapped Prince Froptoppit from the evil Alia Rellapor. Unfortunately, on their way to Alia Rellapor's castle, the group has gotten lost while sailing over the Moonguzzit Sea in their flying boat. With no maps available, the team's best hope is to find Queen Pwip of the Sprubly Islands, a clairvoyant, who will be able to point them in the right direction. But the Sprubly Islands aren't like Akiko's hometown, and when Spuckler and Mr. Beeba disappear one night, Akiko is left to decide how she is to survive in this strange new world.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Fourth grader Akiko continues her adventures on Planet Smoo after being selected as the one earthling suited for the job of rescuing Prince Froptoppit from the evil Alia Rellapor (read all about it in Akiko on the Planet Smoo). Akiko and the extraterrestrial crew of her flying boat--prim Mr. Beeba, gallant Spuckler, robot Gax, and eerie, levitating Poog--lose their way over the Moonguzzit Sea, crash-land into the waiting jaws of a giant sea snake, and make their way to the Sprubly Islands, where a tiny clairvoyant queen awaits them to offer guidance. But the other Sprubly Islanders are not so welcoming as Queen Pwip, and when Akiko's friends disappear into the sky, she must fend for herself in this strange, Lilliputian world, complete with brave, blustering soldiers and an exotic palace.

Based on Mark Crilley's original comic strip, the Akiko series of illustrated novels is bursting with all the elements of a fast-paced adventure story. Akiko and her friends travel in air, underwater, and overland, where they meet unusual friends and enemies. Throughout, Akiko struggles with her role as heroine; starting as a shy fourth grader in Middleton, Earth, she's come a long way. Homesickness and bouts of uncertainty never get the best of her, though, and the reader will love watching Akiko's spunky nature bloom as she rises to every occasion. At novel's end, Prince Froptoppit is still unsaved--watch for future episodes from Crilley. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-In this sequel to Akiko on the Planet Smoo (Delacorte, 2000), an earth girl continues her mission to rescue Prince Froptoppit from the evil Alia Rellapor. Akiko is assisted by the adventure-loving Spuckler and his robot Gax; the bookish Mr. Beeba; and Poog, a small, spherical, floating alien. Unfortunately, the group's flying boat has no navigation system, and they become lost. Poog tells the others about Queen Pwip of the Sprubly Islands, a clairvoyant who may be able to help them get back on course. The friends go in search of the islands, encountering a "skugbit" storm, a large sea snake, and fruit that makes them float. When they finally find Queen Pwip, she gives Akiko enough information to help them continue on their journey. Akiko has the concerns and enthusiasm recognizable in most 10-year-olds, and the other characters play off her and one another nicely. Spuckler's charm contrasts with Mr. Beeba's caution, Gax's gadgets are interesting, and Poog remains just mysterious enough. Through short chapters, a quick pace, and lots of cliff-hangers, Crilley keeps readers wondering what will happen next. Black-and-white cartoons suit the mood of the text.
Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library, MA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (September 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385327269
• ISBN-13: 978-0385327268
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,570,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Part 2 (of 4) of the Akiko adventures, October 1, 2000

By 

M. Hirtzel (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Akiko in the Sprubly Islands (Hardcover)

This book continues where the first in this series of 4 left off: Earth-born fourth-grader Akiko and her interstellar adventurer friends are on an exciting mission to rescue a young prince who has been kidnaped by the story's as-yet-unseen villain, Alia Rellapoor. Akiko's journey takes her to the Sprubly Islands (hence the title), where she must confront the Sprubly monarch, Queen Pwip, for help in their quest. But danger and surprises lurk in the Sprubly Islands, and Akiko finds herself in an amazing adventure before she realizes it.

Mark Crilley, the author and illustrator of the Akiko novels (and comic from which the novels derive), is in better shape with this second book of the series, mostly because the necessary exposition has already been dealt with in book one. The plot flows quickly, and there is plenty of excitement to keep the story moving, without being too frightening for young children. Being part of a series may make the story hard to follow for those who don't know the story, but there is enough adventure and great storytelling moments to amuse even newcomers.

This book can be enjoyed as a group read with children (there are enough pictures and descriptions to captivate a young audience), or for solo readers who can handle a third- or fourth-grade reading level.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a good read for a nine year old, fast-paced and entertaining, September 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Akiko in the Sprubly Islands (Hardcover)

This second in the Akiko series is a pleasure in that it features a strong female figure as protagonist, a rarity in fiction for this age group. Yet just as the Harry Potter series appeals to girls despite the fact that its main character is a boy, my son enjoyed this book, and the previous one, even though Akiko is a fourth grade girl. The story is not particularly original, with parts reminding me of Star Wars, Gulliver's Travels, and The Wizard of Oz, but it kept my son's attention and made him want to read on.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, November 11, 2007

By 

Robert Cannon "Cybertelecom" (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Akiko in the Sprubly Islands (Paperback)

It's off with Akiko to the lovely Sprubly Islands. This is a definite great book of the Akiko series. I rate this 4 star because the things they have to go through. It's good and I suggest you read it!