I Was A Sixth Grade Alien #1 [Hardcover]

Bruce Coville (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: I Was A Sixth Grade Alien

He came from the stars -- and sixth grade will never be the same!

How would you feel if the new kid in your class was from another planet?

How would you feel if you were that new kid -- the one from the other planet?

Tim Tomkins (from Earth) and Pleskit Meenom (from the planet Hevi-Hevi) answer those questions in this hilarious new alien adventure from the author of My Teacher is an Alien and Aliens Ate My Homework, telling their stories in alternating chapters that let us see aliens through the eyes of an Earthling -- and Earthlings through the eyes of an alien!

This wildly inventive tale from the master of alien humor, Bruce Coville, seamlessly weaves comedy, adventure, and social satire in a tale that takes the idea of multiculturalism to a whole new dimension.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Coville mines much of the same territory here as in his "My Teacher" books and "Alien Adventures" series (both Minstrel). Given that familiarity, this is a fun, light read. Aliens make contact with Earth and decide to place their worldwide embassy in Syracuse, NY. The alien ambassador brings his son, Pleskit, who ends up in the same class as Tim Tompkins, an avid science-fiction buff. The story is told alternately by Tim and Pleskit, a device that helps readers understand both characters and their perspectives. The plot moves along at a brisk clip. Coville develops a sustained mood of excitement and suspense after Tim and Pleskit are captured by unfriendly aliens who plan to take control of Earth and exploit it for themselves. The mystery element works well-the identity of the "bad guys" is not obvious. Coville's characters are sympathetic, especially Pleskit, who is endearing in his desire to get things right, but never quite succeeding. The school scenes are dead-on, and the treatment of politicians and the media is also adept. Coville presents the theme of accepting those who are different without detracting from the action or being overly didactic. Unfortunately, the black-and-white pencil illustrations are weak; the action looks staged rather than natural and the facial expressions seem fake. Nevertheless, reluctant readers will devour this breezy read.
Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

Read by the author and a full cast
2 hours 52 minutes, 2 cassettes

Aliens have finally made contact with Earth and have sent an ambassador?a single parent who brings along his kid, Pleskit. Because his father insists he mix with earthlings and attend public school, Pleskit becomes the world's first sixth grade alien. His initial attempts to fit in are hilariously catastrophic, and only when he established a tentative friendship with Tim Tompkins does Pleskit begin to understand that he is being sabotaged. But by whom? And Why? --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671036513
• ISBN-13: 978-0671036515
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,821,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bruce Coville was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1950. His family lived in farm territory, about twenty miles north of Syracuse. Bruce grew up around the corner from his grandparents' dairy farm, where he spent a great deal of time as a child, dodging cows and chores to the best of his ability. As a young reader he loved Mary Poppins and Dr. Dolittle, and still has fond memories of rising ahead of the rest of his family so he could huddle in a chair and read THE VOYAGES OF DR. DOLITTLE. He also read lots of things that people consider junk (Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, and zillions of comic books). His only real regret is the time he spent watching television, when he could have been reading instead. (A mind is a terrible thing to waste!)

His first book, THE FOOLISH GIANT, was published in 1978. It was illustrated by his wife, Katherine, whom he had married in 1969. This was followed in 1979 by SARAH'S UNICORN, also illustrated by Katherine. After a long period of working separately, the Covilles began collaborating again with SPACE BRAT and GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE, both published in 1992.

Before getting published Bruce earned his living as a toymaker, a gravedigger, a cookware salesman, an assembly line worker, and finally as an elementary school teacher (second and fourth grades). He left teaching in 1981 to devote himself to becoming a full time writer - though it took another five years to achieve that goal!)

Bruce has published nearly 100 books, which have appeared in over a dozen countries around the world and sold more than sixteen million copies. Among his most popular titles are MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN, INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS, and THE MONSTER'S RING. In 2001 he founded Full Cast Audio, an audiobook company dedicated to creating unabridged, full cast recordings of the best in children's and young adult literature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly amusing, written like a 10 yr. old would think., August 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Was A Sixth Grade Alien #1 (Paperback)

Very comical, the author has the ability to think like a kid, yet write with the sophistication of an adult. The illustrations are a superb match, funny, yet sophisticated and highly detailed. The combination succeeds where most works wouldn't, as art gives way to speed in the mass-market system that is publishing. The characters are believable, and quickly develope personality and style, and the setting lives in 50's alien pop-culture while adding a modern twist. The story is also kid-friendly, no blood and gore, just the occasional burp (for communication purposes, of course!). A wonderful way for a kid to learn that friendship between two uniquely different people can be a fun and educational experience for both.

5.0 out of 5 stars Purplish Friend, February 9, 2009

By 

Norliza Ismail "The Librarian" (Seria, Kuala Belait Brunei Darussalam) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Was A Sixth Grade Alien #1 (Hardcover)

I've picked up this one due to curiousity of the title and the cover itself. I never thought I ended up liking this book instead!

When the new kid in school happens to be an alien and almost everybody discriminate him, Things get worse when everything seems to go wrong and mean for our alien hero just because he is an alien. or is it? in all of this mess he found a human friend, Tim.

As much as I like this book, It's pretty much annoying to know the slow movement of this book! It takes a long time, regardless the funny and the interesting parts of the first 3/4 of the book is, to get to the real adventure to begin. Nevertheless, that was a very absorbing book.

5.0 out of 5 stars My Review, November 28, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: I Was A Sixth Grade Alien #1 (Paperback)

I Was a Sixth Grade Alien by Bruce Coville is an awesome and thrilling book. Tim Tompkins, a human kid, wants to make contact with aliens. He meets Pleskit. Pleskit reaks havoc while an evil plan proceeds. I enjoyed it because it makes you ask what-if questions. It's also grand because of the action. My number one reason for enjoying it is because it shows you the power of friendship. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy humor, and action!