Antsy Does Time (Antsy Bonano) [Paperback]

Neal Shusterman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2010 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Antsy Bonano

Antsy Bonano, narrator of The Schwa Was Here, is back with another crazy tale. This time, Antsy signs a month of his life over to his ?dying? classmate Gunnar Umlaut. Soon everyone at school follows suit, giving new meaning to the idea of ?living on borrowed time.? But does Gunnar really have six months to live, or is news of his imminent death greatly exaggerated? And when a family member suffers a heart attack after donating two years to Gunnar, Antsy starts to wonder if he has tempted fate by trying to play God . . . .

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 7–10—In this sequel to The Schwa Was Here (Dutton, 2004), Brooklynite Antsy Bonano, 14, finds another peculiar friend, a Swedish import named Gunnar Ümlaut. When a balloon from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade gets away, Antsy and his friends Howie and Ira head into Manhattan to follow the debacle. On the way, they run into their classmate Gunnar. Watching the catastrophe unfold, he confides to Antsy that he's been "coming to disasters" lately, and that he's dying of Pulmonary Monoxic Systemia. Gunnar says he has only six months to live, so Antsy gives him one of his own, drawing up a legal-looking document, and, before he knows it, the whole school's giving Gunnar months of their lives. Spending more time at Gunnar's house, Antsy falls for his friend's older sister, and also notices that things seem off. Gunnar's obsession with his presumed imminent death is largely ignored. When Antsy discovers that Gunnar is not going to die, that he was "diagnosed" by a fake online doctor, he wonders why the boy lied. As Antsy uncovers the truth—that Gunnar's dad has gambled away the family's money and they're headed back to Sweden—he learns more about the meaning of the time you have on Earth. This novel is as cleverly plotted and well paced as The Schwa; it is brimming with amusing secondary characters and situations that add depth and interest. Fans won't be disappointed, and newcomers won't have any problem jumping right in.—Jennifer Barnes, Homewood Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* The wisecracking teenage Brooklynite introduced in Shusterman’s award-winning The Schwa Was Here (2004) takes a second ride on the emotional roller coaster in this equally screwball sequel. When classmate Gunnar Ümlaut announces that he is going to die in six months from a rare disease, Antsy Bonnano prints up a formal contract that signs over a month of his own life to his gloomy buddy. This impulsive gesture of comfort unexpectedly nets Antsy a series of dates with Gunnar’s hot older sister Kjersten—but also takes on a life of its own when everyone who finds out about the good deed wants to get into the act. Meanwhile, Antsy and his closest friend (and ex-girlfriend), blind Lexie, plot to kidnap Lexie’s irascible grandpa “Creepy” Crawley (again), and Antsy’s father works his way toward heart-attack country struggling to get the Bonnano family’s new restaurant on its feet. Featuring a terrific supporting cast led by Antsy’s wise, acerbic mother, an expert blend of comedy and near tragedy, and the wry observations of a narrator whose glib tongue and big heart are as apt to get him into trouble as out of it, this will keep tween readers hooked from start to finish. Grades 6-9. --John Peters --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (January 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142414875
• ISBN-13: 978-0142414873
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Orphans & Foster Homes

More About the Author

Neal Shusterman is the author of many novels for young adults, including Unwind, which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Everlost, and Downsiders, which was nominated for twelve state reading awards. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows such as Animorphs and Goosebumps. The father of four children, Neal lives in southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars What Sequel?, October 30, 2010

By 

Scott Thomas Evans (Woodridge, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Antsy Does Time (Hardcover)

I got to admit, the reason why I bought this in the first place was because it was a $1.99 special at the book fair. I am amazingly glad I got the book, though, because it is the most witty, funny book I've read in a long while. The characters are real, as well as the events. It's such a good book that it didn't even have to be a sequel-it was a great stand-alone read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Antsy Does Time: Funny and Fabulous!, May 14, 2010

By 

K. Flegal (Herndon, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Antsy Does Time (Hardcover)

What a fabulous story! Shusterman's "Antsy Does Time" is the sequel to his inventive & charming "The Schwa was Here." "Antsy Does Time" is about a Antsy Bonano, a Brooklyn teen living an ordinary--if funny--life with his family and friends. Antsy soon discovers that his new friend, Gunnar Umlaut, is suffering from "pulmonary monoxic systemia," and only has six months to live. To cheer Gunnar up, Antsy decides to donate a month of his life to Gunnar. His symbolic gesture of goodwill, however, ends up taking over Antsy's life. Soon, everyone in school is signing up to donate months or even years. When the school principal finds out, he decides to make it an official school-wide "fund" raiser (a "time" raiser, perhaps). Things are getting out of control! All the attention and generosity does make Gunnar happy, though, so Antsy decides to go with the flow.

In the mean time, Gunnar's gorgeous older sister Kjersten, spurred by the good Antsy is doing, decides to pay romantic attention to Antsy. A sophomore boy's dream come true! While befriending Gunnar and getting involved with Kjersten, though, Antsy learns more about their family than he wants to know. With their financial distress, a distant father, and avoidance of the truths in front of their faces, Gunnar's family makes Antsy realize how normal his family is.

While navigating the choppy waters of high school, teen romance, and seemingly-doomed friendships, Antsy has troubles of his own to face. The family restaurant is taking over his mother's & father's lives, and feels like it's ruining Antsy's own life. His good friend (and former girlfriend) Lexie, is being helpful, in an unhelpful sort of way, and Antsy discovers the truth about Gunnar's illness. The stress all comes to a head when Antsy's father has a heart attack. The family crisis teaches Antsy a lot about himself, his family, ans his outlook on life. It also leads him to answers about the mysteries surrounding Gunnar.

"Antsy Does Time" was a wonderful read. It is laugh-out-loud funny, and it really takes you into Antsy's head. The characters are fun and fully-fleshed, which makes me want to know what happens to them after the story ends. I hope Shusterman writes another book about Antsy, because I'd love to keep following him!

If you're looking for a fun, funny, engaging read, "Antsy Does Time" is a great bet.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read! Fun and Engaging, May 13, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Antsy Does Time (Hardcover)

What a fabulous story! Shusterman's "Antsy Does Time" is the sequel to his inventive & charming "The Schwa was Here." "Antsy Does Time" is about a Antsy Bonano, a Brooklyn teen living an ordinary--if funny--life with his family and friends. Antsy soon discovers that his new friend, Gunnar Umlaut, is suffering from "pulmonary monoxic systemia," and only has six months to live. To cheer Gunnar up, Antsy decides to donate a month of his life to Gunnar. His symbolic gesture of goodwill, however, ends up taking over Antsy's life. Soon, everyone in school is signing up to donate months or even years. When the school principal finds out, he decides to make it an official school-wide "fund" raiser (a "time" raiser, perhaps). Things are getting out of control! All the attention and generosity does make Gunnar happy, though, so Antsy decides to go with the flow.

In the mean time, Gunnar's gorgeous older sister Kjersten, spurred by the good Antsy is doing, decides to pay romantic attention to Antsy. A sophomore boy's dream come true! While befriending Gunnar and getting involved with Kjersten, though, Antsy learns more about their family than he wants to know. With their financial distress, a distant father, and avoidance of the truths in front of their faces, Gunnar's family makes Antsy realize how normal his family is.

While navigating the choppy waters of high school, teen romance, and seemingly-doomed friendships, Antsy has troubles of his own to face. The family restaurant is taking over his mother's & father's lives, and feels like it's ruining Antsy's own life. His good friend (and former girlfriend) Lexie, is being helpful, in an unhelpful sort of way, and Antsy discovers the truth about Gunnar's illness. The stress all comes to a head when Antsy's father has a heart attack. The family crisis teaches Antsy a lot about himself, his family, ans his outlook on life. It also leads him to answers about the mysteries surrounding Gunnar.

"Antsy Does Time" was a wonderful read. It is laugh-out-loud funny, and it really takes you into Antsy's head. The characters are fun and fully-fleshed, which makes me want to know what happens to them after the story ends. I hope Shusterman writes another book about Antsy, because I'd love to keep following him!

If you're looking for a fun, funny, engaging read, "Antsy Does Time" is a great bet.