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A review by katiespina
Sci-Fi Junior High by John Martin, Scott Seegert
2.0
I listened to this audiobook. Based on that, it seems this is a graphic novelization hybrid with more illustrations that a standard MG story. The reading level is 3.9, or the 9th month of 3rd grade, so it's at a level much lower than what I'm trying to write.
The story is simple: parents are making a robot to get this thing that melts people who go near it. Underappreciated scientist who was invited to be a janitor (but nobody told him he was going to be a janitor) is rightfully offended. NOTE: he's the 3rd most brilliant scientist from Earth, so it's not like he's like #97 of the top 100 scientists and it's silly that he would be offended. Anyway, he decides to become an evil scientist because then maybe he'll get some respect. (SPOILER - he doesn't)
The kids are kids. I'm sure the illustrations help a lot in the way of character development. That's something that it has in common with Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
The kids "save the day" except it doesn't really solve the ultimate problem that caused the family to move to the science station in the first place, so I'm not sure it's a "happy ending?" Plus, Kelvin reveals his big secret and there are literally no consequences, so I'm not sure why it was even made into an issue.
And, there's a lot of stress on whether the principal is a he or a she which is completely unnecessary, not handled well, and is mildly insulting.
I didn't expect a lot from James Patterson, and while he didn't write this one, it's his imprint. It's pretty much what I expected. Overall a disappointment.
The story is simple: parents are making a robot to get this thing that melts people who go near it. Underappreciated scientist who was invited to be a janitor (but nobody told him he was going to be a janitor) is rightfully offended. NOTE: he's the 3rd most brilliant scientist from Earth, so it's not like he's like #97 of the top 100 scientists and it's silly that he would be offended. Anyway, he decides to become an evil scientist because then maybe he'll get some respect. (SPOILER - he doesn't)
The kids are kids. I'm sure the illustrations help a lot in the way of character development. That's something that it has in common with Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
The kids "save the day" except it doesn't really solve the ultimate problem that caused the family to move to the science station in the first place, so I'm not sure it's a "happy ending?" Plus, Kelvin reveals his big secret and there are literally no consequences, so I'm not sure why it was even made into an issue.
And, there's a lot of stress on whether the principal is a he or a she which is completely unnecessary, not handled well, and is mildly insulting.
I didn't expect a lot from James Patterson, and while he didn't write this one, it's his imprint. It's pretty much what I expected. Overall a disappointment.