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lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Cute overall, with a hint of otherworldliness: the world Jaq inhabits has synthesia, but that's the norm. So of course Earth will feel weird to him. What will make Jaz feel familiar to readers is his being such a sad sack - bullied, at risk of losing his home and his friend (a whippet) - and his attempts to overcome all that. Even those who don't like fractured fairy tales will enjoy this; for me, it's what lifted the book from a two to three star.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
snazel's review against another edition
4.0
It's a jack and the beanstalk retelling! And it's fun! Reallly made to be read aloud, I think.
gordonj's review against another edition
5.0
I loved reading Sheila Grau’s modern take on the Jack and the Beanstalk story. Jaq Rollop is a kind and naïve boy doing everything he can to save his family’s farm on the distant planet of Yipsmix. When things get so bad he must trade his beloved pet for a mysterious key, he sets off on an adventure that brings him to earth, where he meets giants (us) and finds hidden treasure (chewed gum stuck to the bottoms of tables). Now he must get these riches back to Yipsmix and save his family.
Part of what I loved most about his book is how Grau helps the reader experience synesthesia, a fascinating condition in which one of our five senses activates another. So, numbers have distinct smells, letters and words have distinct colors and tastes. This made the experience of reading the story so much more engaging as it introduced me to a whole new way of experiencing the world.
My favorite aspect of Grau’s books, however, is how they celebrate goodness with humor. Like in her great Dr. Critchlore series, Grau shows us a boy struggling to stay kind and honest in a world where everyone is driven to succeed at all costs. Without ever moralizing or preaching, Grau shows young readers how you don’t have to be selfish or have superpowers to be successful. In this way, she reminds me of the great Roald Dahl, who showed us that being good and honest brings its own rewards.
Part of what I loved most about his book is how Grau helps the reader experience synesthesia, a fascinating condition in which one of our five senses activates another. So, numbers have distinct smells, letters and words have distinct colors and tastes. This made the experience of reading the story so much more engaging as it introduced me to a whole new way of experiencing the world.
My favorite aspect of Grau’s books, however, is how they celebrate goodness with humor. Like in her great Dr. Critchlore series, Grau shows us a boy struggling to stay kind and honest in a world where everyone is driven to succeed at all costs. Without ever moralizing or preaching, Grau shows young readers how you don’t have to be selfish or have superpowers to be successful. In this way, she reminds me of the great Roald Dahl, who showed us that being good and honest brings its own rewards.
britterization's review against another edition
3.0
This was extremely clever - Sheila Grau knows what she's about (Her first Critchlore book was my favorite MG read of 2015).
It took me about 50 pages to figure out, but this is a super witty retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk (which explains the weird quote about beanstalks on the cover - I was initially confused). Jaq is a resident of the planet Yipsmix, fortunately named because the letter "x" apparently tastes delicious. See, on Yipsmix, numbers have colors and produce feelings and letters and words can create tastes and visions. This leads to some pretty whimsical and adorable worldbuilding, and later, when Jaq travels to Earth, some fun commentary about the stimulations constantly present on Earth. Basically, this is a Jack and the Beanstalk retelling with a serious science fiction/satirical twist. The end result is an adorable little read (although the end dragged a bit) that I will be booktalking in the spring.
Oh, and Jaq has a cute animal sidekick, which I'm always a sucker for.
It wasn't earth shattering or anything, but it was quite cute. 3 stars - I liked it.
It took me about 50 pages to figure out, but this is a super witty retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk (which explains the weird quote about beanstalks on the cover - I was initially confused). Jaq is a resident of the planet Yipsmix, fortunately named because the letter "x" apparently tastes delicious. See, on Yipsmix, numbers have colors and produce feelings and letters and words can create tastes and visions. This leads to some pretty whimsical and adorable worldbuilding, and later, when Jaq travels to Earth, some fun commentary about the stimulations constantly present on Earth. Basically, this is a Jack and the Beanstalk retelling with a serious science fiction/satirical twist. The end result is an adorable little read (although the end dragged a bit) that I will be booktalking in the spring.
Oh, and Jaq has a cute animal sidekick, which I'm always a sucker for.
It wasn't earth shattering or anything, but it was quite cute. 3 stars - I liked it.
libscote's review against another edition
3.0
Eh. It's an interesting play on Jack and the Beanstalk, but it's not my favorite book.
libscote's review
3.0
Eh. It's an interesting play on Jack and the Beanstalk, but it's not my favorite book.
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