The Eyes of Kid Midas [Mass Market Paperback]

Neal Shusterman (Author)

Book Description

What if a seventh grader could have everything he wanted? He'd make ice-cram cones materialize out of nowhere and zap up every video game he'd ever wanted, right? But what if he was also tired of being bullied and all it took to change that was to put on a pair of sunglasses? Kevin Midas's new look is more than just for style -- he's out for revenge!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's no coincidence that this novel's title and protagonist hark back to Greek mythology; this modern fantasy has the resonance and power of an ancient myth. Shusterman ( The Shadow Club ; What Daddy Did ) starts with a question--What if a typical seventh-grader could have anything he wanted?--and proceeds to a conclusion that makes time stop and the very universe dissolve. Along the way there is plenty of comedy and even sly foreshadowing in the shape of a good-natured jab at the sci-fi genre: "That's what you get for messing with time and space," says Kevin, Midas's best friend, when a comic-book hero gets sucked into a black hole. Kevin gets sucked into a black hole of his own when he dons magic sunglasses that make his every wish come true, resulting in the near-annihilation of reality itself. Imaginative and witty, this fable for the '90s convincingly proves the dangers of the narcissistic ethos of having it all. With its original premise, unpredictable plot and whiz-bang finish, this book will handily captivate its audience. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-- Short and bespectacled, 13-year-old Kevin is the constant victim of the class bully, Bertram, but things change during a camping trip to a mountain that is supposedly sacred to the Native Americans of the region. After a grueling nighttime climb, Kevin reaches the top at dawn and finds a cool pair of sunglasses, which turn out to be saturated with the mountain's magic. They have the power of turning his desires into reality and making him master of his universe. From making ice-cream cones materialize to filling his house with video games, they grant his every wish, and things predictably get out of hand. Unfortunately, he cannot use the glasses to undo or reverse any of these actions, and when in anger he shouts at Bertram, ``Go to Hell!'' the ground opens up and swallows him. Eventually the fabric of reality starts to unwind and the world as he knows it becomes a thing of the past. Kevin later has a vision of Bertram struggling in chains in his own personally customized hell, in a wonderfully disturbing scene worthy of Stephen King. In general the imagery here is vivid and effective. The ending, in which the boy undoes everything he has done merely by returning the glasses to the mountaintop, may strike some readers as a simplistic cop-out, and the moral conclusion of his dilemma is the obvious one, but the novel features steady action with occasional touches of bizarre, inspired humor and is hypnotically readable. --Lyle Blake Smythers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (July 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689873492
• ISBN-13: 978-0689873492
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,621,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, that's not dumbed down., April 6, 2003

By 

"jonyossarian" (Rockingham, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eyes of Kid Midas (Mass Market Paperback)

I remember purchasing this book in the sixth grade, and reading it quickly and eagerly. Quite simply, it's a wonderful book that contains profound themes in a package that's intelligent, yet easy for preteens to swallow. Abuse of power, addiction, loneliness, responsibility, greed, destiny....it's all covered in this novel. I heartily recommend purchasing this book. And guys? Don't spoil this book for other people in your reviews!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Because of the Divine Watch -- a review by Amelia, age 10, November 10, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Eyes of Kid Midas (Mass Market Paperback)

Kevin Midas is nothing more then a major bully target for the school's big bully, Bertram Tarson. Then, just because of a gloomy camping trip, an urge to beat Bertram, lack of common sense, and a pair of glasses, Kevin finds himself in charge of the world. At first it seems like fun, but as time goes by it gets out of control. Can Kevin repair the damage he has done or has he made permanent changes in the world?

The Eyes of Kid Midas is a good book for people ages 8- 100. 100 if adults like reading good kids' chapter books. This book is also probably more appealing to people who like fiction, adventure, and suspense. I really liked this book for many reasons, but the main ones are that it describes things exactly the way they would be in real life if a boy had the power to rule the world. The other reason is it keeps you wondering so you can't stop!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neal has pulled off another ****+ book!, August 31, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Eyes of Kid Midas (Mass Market Paperback)

Kevin Midas is bored at just "looking" at Divine Watch so he decides to climb it. He is suprised to find at the top peak a pair of the COOLEST sunglasses. Strangly, when he wears them whatever he says comes true! But after time goes by, these "wishes" seem to mean more... I loved how Neal can write from a teenager's point of view. I have not read one bad book by him. I especialy liked this book because the totaly unexpectable things happen throughout it. I TOTALY reccomend it!