Customer Reviews

The Penguins of Doom (From The Desk Of Septina Nash)

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I bought my 12-year-old the "Penguins of Doom." This kid has a profound learning disability and absolutely dislikes reading anything. The term reluctant reader doesn't go far enough for her. Then Septina Nash arrived. My daughter hasn't put this book down since it arrived two days ago. Instead of being frustrated, she is actually enjoying the challenge and the discovery of the words. One writer to another, congrats! Parent to author - thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kim W. Justesen

I remember as a teacher looking for exciting books that would appeal to the reluctant reader. Imagine my excitement when one such book came my way!

Septina Nash is missing her sister Sexta. While looking for her she writes letters, each one more hilarious than the last.

Septina is the seventh child of a seventh child of a seventh child. Her mother tells her the magic of numbers, especially sevens and threes. Also she tells Septina that the truth is about sevens and threes.

While looking for her sister, Septina has many adventures. One of my favorites is the scene where Septina's mom challenges Killer-J for his skateboard. How cool would it be to have a mom who can out skate a champion skateboarder? Another scene has Septina being a chaperone for her math teacher Miss Snoqualmie. Septina introduces her teacher to some 'real' finds like Stan the Rat Man, who knows everything about rats.

All the while Septina keeps searching for Sexta. Will she find her? Will the penguins help on the quest? And is there truth in what her parents say about the seventh child of a seventh child, of a seventh child can do anything? Well, she sure is going to find out!

Original and hilarious, this tale is sure to be a hit with tweens. I couldn't help but chuckle over Septina's persistence of getting out of gym class. I admit, I did something similar in seventh grade but my note wasn't as unique as Septina's. Where was a Septina when I needed her?

The illustrations made me smile. Also my son loved the drawings and wanted me to tell him about Septina.

P.S. Now I'm from a family of seven children too. But I'm the first. So I guess the magic doesn't apply to me. But I guarantee the magic of this book will rub off on readers.

P.S.S Go ahead. Read this fun tale! I highly recommended this book to those looking for an unique story that will make you smile.

this was a gift for my 10 year old niece. she loves it - she couldn't put it down. she kept quoting parts of it to her mother as she was reading it.

Greg R. Fishbone's THE PENGUINS OF DOOM is a wacky, zany trip.

It's a series of letters by Septina Nash, our purple haired protagonist, as she tries to find her missing triplet sister, Sexta.

At first glance, Septina just seems to have an over-reactive imagination. In her letters to the Vice Principal, math teacher, gym teacher, school counselor, and Lieutenant Donna Morse, she describes her adventures of being an extra in music videos, becoming an Olympic freestyle skateboarder, stalker penguins, and having a mortal enemy named Doctor Fignizzi.

But low and behold, when her triplet brother starts backing up her story, we start to wonder if she really is telling the truth. Each reader will have to decide if Septina is a fibber of epic proportions or if she is just endowed with magical experiences. With helpful illustrations, Septina describes her extraordinary life in hilarious terms.

Remember, every number in the world can be made by a combination of 7s and 3s (1=7-3-3, 2=3x3-7, etc), and since Septina is both a seventh child and triplet, that means she can do anything!

Told in a cheerful and unique voice, this is a fun, quick read!

Reviewed by: Natalie Tsang