The Shuteyes [Library Binding]

Mary James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1993 | Age Level: 9 and up

A boy is whisked off to a planet where sleeping is a crime, in a fantasy that points out the danger and absurdity of prejudice. By the author of Shoebag.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Using the same pseudonym as she did for her 1990 novel, Shoebag , popular YA writer M. E. Kerr has written a quasi-science fiction work. Her story, told with a nightmare's whirling madness, concerns young Chester Dumbello, who is carried off by a giant, one-eyed parrot of the topsy-turvy planet Alert--a place where those with the need to sleep are considered criminals called "shuteyes." It seems Chester has been kidnapped and risks being brainwashed like others who have come before him. Unfortunately, the novel never quite delivers on its intriguing scenario. One of the more diverting characters is Chester's mother, Molly, a psychic who spends most of her time beating a drum, interpreting other people's dreams and embarrassing her son. This odd fusion may puzzle readers--at some junctures the book seems to be a commentary on ostracism ("It's bad enough what you are. Don't brag about it," says one character) and at others it is simply a bizarre adventure. As if reflecting this dichotomy, the author's writing veers from the engaging to the somewhat disjointed. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-- James, the author of Shoebag (Scholastic, 1990), returns with another romp through the realms of the absurd. Unfortunately, the strong framework of reality found in that book is missing here, as the protagonist's life is already very strange. Chester Dumbello, 11, yearns to be "like everyone else" and to escape from Lucy, Mississippi, and his embarrassing mother, proprietor of the Dream Cafe, drum player, and dream interpreter extraordinaire. The appearance of Lornge, a large one-eyed parrot, signals Chester's flight to an even odder milieu--Alert--a place where sleeping is a crime. Imprisoned in the Tower of Loathing as a freak, Chester has some peculiar experiences before he finally returns home. James is an inspired inventor; her characters, with wonderfully ridiculous names, cavort across the pages exchanging sharp-edged dialogue all their own. The language is not difficult, but the satirical nature of the story, as well as a format that sprinkles the text with rhymes and interjections in large type, make it more suitable for older readers. Keeping up with all the characters and twists of plot requires close attention. The Shuteyes , in its own way, is a multilayered experience: a humorous, slightly scary adventure; a cautionary tale; and an exploration of the absurdity of prejudice, all rolled into one. --Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 167 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (February 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590450697
• ISBN-13: 978-0590450690
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,757,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Adventure, February 26, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Shuteyes (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading The Shuteyes by Mary James. It was a funny book to read with weird characters. Chester Dumbello's mom tells people what their dreams mean. The people think that his mom is weird so they think Chester is weird too. A one-eyed parrot flies into the Dream Cafe repeating all kinds of crazy rhymes. Chester likes the parrot, whose name is Lornge and wants to keep him.

Chester talks to Lornge and tells him that he wants to leave home. He thinks it is a looney bin. So Lornge takes him away and they end up oon the planet Alert. Chester soon finds out that he can't sleep on Alert, that the shut-eyes (people that sleep) are bad and sent to another part of the planet, they are freaks. Lornge tells Chester that he will take care of him and that he can get some sleep but he had to be very careful. Chester got caught napping and got thrown into the Tower of Loathing where he was being recused by other shuteyes.

He was recused by Lornge and his mom. He was beginning to realize that home wasn't really so bad after all.

By: Dawson

4.0 out of 5 stars The Adventure, February 26, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Shuteyes (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading The Shuteyes by Mary James. It was a funny book to read with weird characters. Chester Dumbello's mom tells people what their dreams mean. The people think that his mom is weird so they think Chester is weird too. A one-eyed parrot flies into the Dream Cafe repeating all kinds of crazy rhymes. Chester likes the parrot, whose name is Lornge and wants to keep him.

Chester talks to Lornge and tells him that he wants to leave home. He thinks it is a looney bin. So Lornge takes him away and they end up oon the planet Alert. Chester soon finds out that he can't sleep on Alert, that the shut-eyes (people that sleep) are bad and sent to another part of the planet, they are freaks. Lornge tells Chester that he will take care of him and that he can get some sleep but he had to be very careful. Chester got caught napping and got thrown into the Tower of Loathing where he was being recused by other shuteyes.

He was recused by Lornge and his mom. He was beginning to realize that home wasn't really so bad after all.