Meteor!

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

As depicted in Polacco's typically ebullient artwork, all heck breaks loose when a meteor lands ``smack-dab in the middle of a yard'' in Union City, Mich. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

While visiting her grandparents at their farm in Michigan, Patricia and the rest are stunned by a meteorite landing in the yard. "Union City was A-BUZZ" and everyone trots out to see the fallen star, some touch it and believe that it will bring good luck, other just gape in awe. Eventually the meteorite becomes her grandmother's tombstone where to this day it rests overlooking the St. Joseph River. A great story, based on a true event, with bright, humorous, lively illustrations. 1996 orig.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3 A pleasant enough tale of a small town's excited reaction to the landing of a meteorite in a front yard. The family cordons off the ``rock,'' and the townspeople soon flock to the spotsome auction meteor basket lunches and sell popcorn, the local high-school band gives a meteoric performance, and university science departments come to analyze the meteorite. The entire town seems filled with a special magic inspired by touching the meteorite. There is a nostalgic, homey feeling to this book, and small-town America comes to life in its pages. Unfortunately, the townspeople call the meteorite a meteor, which is inaccurate, and the adjective meteoric becomes monotonous. The stylized acrylic illustrations are unusual and appealing. Facial expressions are espcially well-drawn. Unfortunately, the flaws in the book don't lift it above the mediocre. Barbara S. McGinn, Oak Hill Elementary School, Severna Park, Md.