The True Meaning of Smekday [Hardcover]

Adam Rex (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: October 2, 2007 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 740L (What's this?)

It all starts with a school essay.

 

When twelve-year-old Gratuity (“Tip”) Tucci is assigned to write five pages on “The True Meaning of Smekday” for the National Time Capsule contest, she’s not sure where to begin. When her mom started telling everyone about the messages aliens were sending through a mole on the back of her neck? Maybe on Christmas Eve, when huge, bizarre spaceships descended on the Earth and the aliens – called Boov – abducted her mother? Or when the Boov declared Earth a colony, renamed it “Smekland” (in honor of glorious Captain Smek), and forced all Americans to relocate to Florida via rocketpod?

 

In any case, Gratuity’s story is much, much bigger than the assignment. It involves her unlikely friendship with a renegade Boov mechanic named J.Lo.; a futile journey south to find Gratuity’s mother at the Happy Mouse Kingdom; a cross-country road trip in a hovercar called Slushious; and an outrageous plan to save the Earth from yet another alien invasion.

 

Fully illustrated with “photos,” drawings, newspaper clippings, and comics sequences, this is a hilarious, perceptive, genre-bending novel by a remarkable new talent.
 

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Adam Rex quickly made a name for himself in the publishing world as a talented, very funny illustrator. His children's books includeThe Dirty Cowboyby Amy Timberlake,Ste-e-e-e-eamboat A-Comin'by Jill Esbaum, andSmall Beautiesby Elvira Woodruff. He wrote and illustratedTree Ring CircusandFrankenstein Makes a Sandwich, both highly praised by reviewers for their wit as well as their artistic brilliance. This is his first novel. Adam lives with his wife in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786849002
• ISBN-13: 978-0786849000
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #837,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Adam Rex grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, the middle of three children. He now lives in Tucson with his physicist wife Marie.
His picture book FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, a collection of stories about monsters and their problems, was a New York Times Bestseller. 2007 saw the release of his first novel, THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY.
Garlic and crosses are useless against Adam. Sunlight has been shown to be at least moderately effective. A silver bullet does the trick. Pretty much any bullet, really.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my 10 year old's favorite books November 25, 2007

By L. Cook

Format:Hardcover

My 10 year old son and I read this book together. I initially bought it because it sounded like the plot line - involving aliens, weird contraptions, and "save the world" heroics - would be right up his alley. (He's lately been into "Star Wars" related stuff.)

The book involves a cross-country trip by a 12 year old girl, her cat and a renegade alien Boov, after the invading aliens have relocated all the humans in the U.S. - first to Florida, then to Arizona. They must then go on to save the planet from the second wave of alien invaders, the Gorg. However, the main focus of the story is around how the relationship between the girl and the alien evolves. There are some great exchanges as the two travellers try to comprehend each other's cultures - as well as many pot shots at American popular culture. The drawings (including what's made to look like Polaroids from the trip) were also a big hit with my son.

We both laughed out loud throughout the book, and my son literally ripped it out of my hands on several occasions wanting to re-read a funny section to himself. We now have so many inside jokes about the Boov that my husband says he'll have to read the book too to get in on them.

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Meaning of Brilliant November 23, 2007

By Mona Melendy

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I find myself wishing I had half of Adam Rex's genius with language so that I could at least come close to describing how much I loved reading this book. Tip and J.Lo are a Huck and Jim for the 21st century, and their adventures are everything adventures should be: dizzying, hilarious (truly, I laughed out loud, and I almost never laugh out loud), dazzlingly brave, and crisscrossed with every possible emotion, including sorrow and the kind of fierce, fearless, loyal love only children and renegade Boov can feel. The illustrations are marvelous, but the language is what really hooked me because the language is quirky and lovely and electric and exquisite. Right word after right word after right word until the very end. Mark Twain would be proud. Mark Twain would be jealous! Everyone, everyone should read this book.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars He's Done It Again! November 4, 2007

By Dan

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Adam's books are always fun to read and view. What a talent-both his sense of humor and drawing skills are outstanding! My wife and I both laughed outloud more than once during this read. We can't wait to share it with our grandchildren, read Adam's next book and meet a Boov, in that order, I hope. My advice-buy it; I'd bet you'll laugh outloud, too.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Meaning of ABSOLUTLY BRILLIANT, and that's coming from an 11 year old girl December 26, 2007

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

Oh my gosh. This book is one of THE best books I have read in my entire life. You may be thinking, well, 11 years isn't that long. But I read almost four books PER DAY.
My grandpa ordered me this book for christmas, and when I looked at the cover I didn't think I would like it very much. Once I opened it, thought, the plot, the amazingly vivid characters, and the humorous language pulled me in whithin an instant. I couldn't put it down.
This book is about an 11 year old girl named Gratuity, but her friends call her Tip. Tip's mom is abducted by a group of aliens called the Boov by a mole on her back that changes color and glows,then the Boov come to Earth, rename it Smekland in honor of the glorious King Smek. The Boov force all the humans to go to Florida, and stay there forever. One Boov named J.Lo (he's a boy, not Jennifer Lopez)befriends Tip, and, well, the whole thing gets complicated, but the book never, ever stops being humerous or gripping.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Zany Alien Adventure! January 5, 2008

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

This book has something crazy on every page. It has you on a hook from the very beginning.
It is not like any other book I've read. It is the weirdest story ever. The aliens in it are hilarious and made reading fun.
There were times when I wanted to scream at the main character, Gratuity for the insane things she did. I started looking for aliens everywhere!
Don't let the fact that this book is so thick scare you off. It is worth reading and you'll be sorry when it ends.
I am a third grader and I loved this book, but I think even older kids would like it.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Smek lives! October 29, 2007

By H. Lyon

Format:Hardcover

I bought this book for my 10 year old daughter, knowing that I would also be reading it. I loved it and she will too, no doubt. Can't wait to give it to my girl. We have enjoyed the writing and the humor in Mr. Rex's other books, so getting this one wasn't a hard decision. The drawings are so fun (wish there were more!), and you will love J. Lo... who wouldn't!? Well written and very creative. I laughed outloud quite a few times. The Boov are smektacular. I personally look forward to the day they arive, just a few more years... Boov bless us, everyone.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Aliens, Aliens run for your life! October 24, 2007

By Don P. Rex

Format:Hardcover

A very fun read. This book will be appreciated by adults as well as children. Adam takes "pot shots" at a number of contemporary conventions. His illustrations add depth to the readers experience.

Make sure to set aside enough time because once you start reading you well have trouble stopping.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Meaning of BUYTHISREALLYCOOLBOOK! December 19, 2007

By Baudelaire

Format:Hardcover

True Meaning of Smekday, TheYou know you're in for a wonderful ride when the citizens of the U.S. are all relegated to Florida by a group of invading aliens...and you haven't even gotten to page ten.

Sly digs at consumerism, Disney World, Manifest Destiny, the treatment of immigrants, Native Americans, and even No Child Left Behind give this book the zing of awesome satire, and like the best children's books, it's written on at least two different levels. Improbable as the plot sounds -- young preteen joins with Artoo-shaped alien to save the planet -- it's a wild ride and one you care about. Plus, did I mention how absolutely FUNNY this book is? The book hooked me when the young heroine, Gratuity Tucci, successfully traps one of the alien Boov (later to call himself "J. Lo," and no, I'm not kidding). The Boov threatens to shoot Gratuity, but realizes he has no phaser. Capitalizing on humans' ignorance of all things Boov, the alien threatens to zing her with his "eye lasers." Capitalizing on the Boov's ignorance of all things human, Gratuity threatens to "explode his head," explaining that humans CAN do this, but usually don't, "because it's rude." Wonderful!