Who is strange kid

If you have the ability to help someone, but you are afraid to do so, is that wrong? This book didn't set out to answer those questions, but I love that I'm left thinking about them.

I think it's the mark of really good writing to be able to present something that's short and easy to read without compromising deeper thinking. I may eventually forget the characters and the plot and maybe even the concept of this book, but the proctology jokes will stay with me forever. Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for letting me get a sneak-peak of this audiobook.

I'm looking forward to hearing it read by a real voice actor, although I admit that the simulated voice was extremely convincing during the alien impostor segments. The fact that I stopped so close to the end especially since this book is on my "made-me-cry" and "seriously-funny" shelves may seem strange.

It really is a tragedy. It started out brilliantly. GREAT voice. Clever writing, lots of humor. Original premise. The butt doctor conversations were priceless. And I'm not one for eschatological humor. I was thinking 5 stars for sure. The part that got me all teary was when he officially became best friends with Agnes. I can't remember. Then the "middle grade" seemed to get in the way. Little by little, it grew more shallow or I supposed it never got any deeper. By the halfway point, the plot felt as simplistic but not as coherent as a picture book—vapid and on-the-nose.

There was no realistic motivation. It felt like a Disney channel show for seven-year-olds. The MC treats her like crap until he needs her to do something, then he goes right back to ignoring her again. Later he does a because he "thought about it" and realized it "wasn't her fault. By the end I didn't really feel anything for any of the characters.

The plot was ludicrous. Nothing made sense. There was no clear goal or antagonist. Such a major disappointment. Weird Kid by Greg van Eekhout is a story about an alien who begins to lose his ability to look human. As the protagonist tries to keep his true identity secret, he befriends an odd human girl, and tries to investigate the other strange events happening near his home. What makes this book a great story for middle schoolers is that with all the fun the book involves, the story is also an allegory for puberty.

The main character's body is changing in unexpected ways, which the main character finds m Weird Kid by Greg van Eekhout is a story about an alien who begins to lose his ability to look human. The main character's body is changing in unexpected ways, which the main character finds mutually interesting and embarrassing. Middle school is an awkward time, with students figuring out who they are while watching their bodies mature in front of their eyes.

This book summarizes this feelings in a light-hearted way. Some adult readers will likely feel that this metaphor is a bit too blunt or obvious, but the message will likely hit the right note for its intended audience. If you're looking for a fast middle-grade read that a student between the ages of can relate to, this is an excellent book to pick up. Preteens will like the book for its adventure, slime, and mystery.

Parents will like the message of embracing who you are. Teachers will find this book as a carefree addition to their classroom library or a great summer suggested reading assignment.

I read an advanced audiobook version of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. This book will be available for purchase on July 20, just in time for summer reading season. My thoughts are my own, and did not affect the score this book received. Thank you to Netgalley for providing an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved the theme of learning to accept yourself for who you are The characters in this book were wonderful, Jake had great growth and Agnes was such a good friend.

Jake's parents were just like any other parents, just worried about their child and wanting the best for them. The plot was Thank you to Netgalley for providing an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The plot was so much fun. It was basically a goo alien invasion in the town where Jake crash landed 12 years ago. The goo took over people, dogs, even plants and objects.

Jake and Agnes have to find out why this is happening and how to stop it. The writing style was so humorous. Jake's dad is a proctologist a butt doctor and there are some hilarious butt jokes but nothing inappropriate for young readers and I found myself laughing several times. Overall, this is a great standalone for young readers with a lot of humor and aliens! Plus Agnes will make one bad ass superhero when she gets older. And how he has a friend that is willing to go to crazy lengths to help him.

Oct 27, Adora Michaels rated it it was amazing Shelves: children-s. Brilliant middle-grade book. Greg van Eekout did excellent at capturing some of the worries that many kids face. The voices of the two main characters were very distinct and I loved both of them so much, especially Jake. The little mysteries kept the story going. The butt jokes were a great add for kids. I was pleasantly surprised with how complex this book was when it came to emotions and how many subplots there were that were tied up so nicely.

The multiple plot Brilliant middle-grade book. The multiple plots coming together was very satisfying. I loved the ending and loved the characterization the author gave Jake, especially when it came to his dream and letting that be fulfilled for him in some way. This book was the perfect blend of silly and scary. I was so surprised that I liked it so much.

I decided to read it after listening into an event with Greg van Eekhout about this book because Eekhout sounded like such a genuinely nice person who really cares about helping kids find their way. I will be reading more of his books in the future. Twelve-year-old Jake has a secret — he is an alien from another planet. Before this summer, that secret was easy to keep. Lately, however, he keeps shifting shapes without meaning to. Other weird things have been happening in his town, too — sinkholes, an unidentified hum, people acting weirdly.

Jake has a strange feeling that all these things are somehow connected to him. When Agnes Oakes discovers Jake's secret, she wants to team up with him to solve the mystery of what is happening in his town. The two collaborate to try to find the answers before anyone else does. This was a cute story that I think any middle grade reader would enjoy. I enjoyed the portmanteaus Jake and Agnes liked to come up with, such as imblobster.

There are a few things I would have liked answers to but we didn't get. I think I smiled the entire time I listened to this. It was such a heartwarming story about an alien boy trying to fit in to a not so simple world.

Jake is a shape shifting alien who is just trying to make it through the school day without his hands sprouting feathers. When mysterious sinkholes start popping up all over town, he senses a connection between the blob substances and his own past. He sets out on a mission with his friend Agnes to save their parents, the town, and one very grumpy dog from becoming overrun by the blob.

This is a love letter to the kids who are a little bit different from everyone else. This is such a fun adventure story but it also has such heart. I truly think I smiled the entire time.

It was laugh out loud funny at parts and it made me remember the value of arts programs in schools. I really enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone who enjoys middle grade stories. The Weird Kid comes by it naturally. He has been raised human and has always been able to blend in. Until now.

Starting middle school and not being able to control himself as his body morphs into different forms Feeling like he fits in less and less, he makes a new friend in Agnes, superhero in the making. The two of them begin to get suspicious of the large sinkholes and strange behavior suddenly taking over their town. So, like in all g The Weird Kid comes by it naturally. This was a fun little book to listen to. Quick tip for many audiobooks done in this computerized voice, speed it up a little and it sounds less robotic.

I imagine that if I were reading this myself I would have made many of the voices far more sarcastic in my head, but I still managed to get the idea and chuckle a little to myself.

This is one I would definitely bring to my class library. Aug 28, Micaela rated it really liked it Shelves: netgalley , audiobooks.

There are not enough great things I can say about this book. It was a fast paced, super fun sci-fi adventure that included aliens, blobs, evil science labs, and saving your town. By the end of this book, I was cheering for Jake every step of the way.

Jake's the weird kid who just started middle school and meets Agnes on the first day. They instantly become friends and make a pact to figure out what's the deal with all of the sinkholes popping up in town. Little does Agnes know, Jake is one of th There are not enough great things I can say about this book.

Little does Agnes know, Jake is one of those weird things in town as he can shape shift into anything, but has little control over it. The book takes us along on the adventure with Jake and Agnes and Jake's discovery of himself and who he is.

I can't wait to recommend this to my students. It was definitely a favorite! All opinions are my own. I'd also like to thank Libro. Author Greg Van Eekhout has created an alien character middle grade kids can relate to. Weird body changes, check. Unexpected noises, check. Struggling with parents, check. Oh yeah, and you also happen to be goo.

When sinkholes and more goo appear, Jake and his new friend must prevent the whole town from becoming imblobsters. Jake is a completely relatable character who would really rather just hang out with his friend and dog, play his guitar, and leave the brave super-hero action to his best fr Author Greg Van Eekhout has created an alien character middle grade kids can relate to.

Jake is a completely relatable character who would really rather just hang out with his friend and dog, play his guitar, and leave the brave super-hero action to his best friend. This not being an option he challenges himself to attempt new things.

Van Eekhout has created a storyline and character with appeal and a fresh feel. Mar 23, Rachel rated it really liked it. Jake Wind is not your typical kid. He's actually an alien adopted by human parents in Arizona, but nobody else at school--or anywhere knows that. Otherwise he might become some kind of terrible government experiment. But between school, changing friendships, and his new tendency to suddenly shapshift without warning, life is becoming complicated.

Especially when a mysterious government agency starts snooping around town to get to the bottom of the new goo-filled sinkholes popping up all over tow Jake Wind is not your typical kid.

Especially when a mysterious government agency starts snooping around town to get to the bottom of the new goo-filled sinkholes popping up all over town. The same goo that Jake is made of.

A bit ridiculous at times, but mostly in a good way I think kids will enjoy. Full of voice and heart and lots of otherworldly shenanigans. It's kind of like Alex Mack meets Superman, which, honestly, you've just got to love.

With influences ranging all across the spectrum of electronic music, Balz and Simons chose to combine each others polarizing taste in music to create a sound that is dark, thought-provoking and full of sonic textures. Balz, a Pennsylvania native, already had an extensive history as a successful touring musician. With his keyboard contributions in the successful band Motionless in White, Balz already established himself as a talented force in both live performance and melodic hooks.

If we are biased, if we cling to comfortable misconceptions about people who live beyond our experience, these magnificently beautiful children will pierce and transfigure us. It could not be stranger, darker, or more illuminating. I found it impossible to put down. This is a novel about a world unraveling, a desert place illuminated by the vulnerable young who belong to it—a place of child brides and murder, predation and exile, solace and exultation.

She is a former editor of Quarterly West and currently teaches fiction at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.