Synopsis
After being teased one too many times at school, Ignatius MacFarland decides to build a rocket. Maybe extraterrestrials are nicer than his classmates! But when his rocket takes an explosive wrong turn, Ignatius ends up in another frequency run by former English-teacher-turned-dictator, Chester Arthur. Mr. Arthur has taken the art, culture, and advancements of our world, shared them with this new frequency, and convinced the creatures around him that he's a genius. It's up to Iggy and Karen, another trapped earthling, to expose Mr. Arthur for the fraud that he is-and to hopefully make it home alive.
Part comedy, part science fiction, and part fantasy, this debut novel, with line art by talented newcomer Peter Chan, makes being a geek, well, kind of cool.
VOYA
Ignatius MacFarland is twelve years old, socially awkward, a C student, and not very happy. Iggy's average brain comes up with the bright idea of building a rocket ship out of metal garbage cans, duct tape, and fireworks for fuel. The rocket launch propels Iggy into another frequency of existence, akin to an alternate reality. In this new frequency, Iggy discovers a town of large creatures attempting to act human. They are under the influence of Mr. Arthur, an English teacher from back home, who had been presumed dead after his house exploded. Mr. Arthur is happier here as he is considered the creative genius behind everything from Artlish (English) to Artbucks (Starbucks). Iggy's guide to this new world is Karen. She was transported by a chemistry class explosion a year ago, and she is beyond ready to lead the Anti-Art revolution. It is difficult to identify the intended audience for this book. The simple explanations of sarcasm, evolution, and traveling to other frequencies are appropriate for the youngest teen. References to The Lone Ranger, Shakespeare's plays, and the song Stairway to Heaven will mean nothing to these readers. Bodily function humor and men being kneed in the groin pepper the story for the immature of all ages. It might be a good fit for reluctant readers, but it takes a long time to get to the action. This series opener is written by the creator of Freaks and Geeks, so perhaps book two will be stronger. Reviewer: Stacey Hayman