I think it’s safe to say that when children reach the older elementary school years, there begins to be a slight level of gender differences in what reading materials are most attractive. While I’m not saying that there aren’t girls out there who could get swept up in the adventure and out-of-this-world absurdity of this book, Alienated by David O. Russell and Andrew Auseon definitely has preadolescent boy written all over it.
At the center of the story are two eighth grade best friends who are as low as anyone can possibly be on the middle school social totem pole, and to make matters worse, they produce a weekly newsletter highlighting the presence of aliens living in their area. Of course, no one believes the tall tales of Crumble Bun and her ability to turn anything she touches into a pile of crumbs, or of Arachnid Boy whose super-sticky feet allow him to walk on walls (and whose story is told incorrectly in the comics). Yet, meeting up with these ‘ails’ is exactly what Gene and Vince do in their spare time, writing up their stories to prove to the world that aliens truly do exist.
When teenage self-serving wishes take over any sense Gene may have previously had, he sets off a chain of events heard all over the universe (or whatever term would best fit to explain worlds beyond our knowledge) and brings to a head a family feud that spans across other-worldly measures of time. As more secrets are unveiled, perspectives become flipped around and priorities get reevaluated, and our middle school outcasts are suddenly bearing more burdens than ever. Will they save the planet from destruction? Will they protect their alien friends from capture? Will they ever get girlfriends?
If you happen to know any older elementary school readers who’d enjoy a fast-paced adventurous novel, especially one filled with wacky humor and a slightly higher than usual gross factor, look no further than Alienated for a literary stocking stuffer.
As part of our Gift Guide Giveaway, the publisher is generously offering 5 copies of Alienated! (U.S & Canada only, please).
Leave a comment here to enter.
Entries will be closed on December 8, and we will announce the winners on December 9. Please watch your email and check the site for your name, so that we can collect your shipping information and you can get your gift by Christmas.
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks!
Be sure you’ve entered all the giveaways in our 2009 Gift Guide and Giveaway event.
Dawn’s own alien nine year old son loves to read just as much as his mom. She wears her mama pride all over her blog, my thoughts exactly.
My son would like this book!
I have two boys that would LOVE this! And I bet my girl would like it too.
I’d love to gift this to my ninth grade classroom library. I’m sure it would be read quite a lot.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
My son would love it !!
Thank you so much for the Review and Giveaway
Perfect for my grandson!
I have a 12 year old son that would love this for Chirstmas.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
My grandson is 14, part of his classes are in 8th and part in 9th. This might help a lot.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
My boys would love this – thanks for the generous giveaway!
This sounds like a great book and I’m always looking for new fiction for boys. It’s hard to come by and when you find one I know you want to share it with everyone! Thanks for the chance!
the1stdaughter at gmail dot com
I love books for boys,gets them reading because it something they are interested in.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway
Thanks for the opportunity to win a great book! It sounds like a book my son would like to read!
Yay! A book that my son would LOVE to read! He is finally starting to read on his own just for reading’s sake, which is gratifying to me. Any good books which could expand his library and enjoyment of reading would be sincerely welcome in our house!
This would be great for the middle school classroom library – I think both the boys and girls there would pick this up.
This sounds just like something my 12-yr-old would love to read!
I think my son would enjoy this book. Thanks.
My son would like this one:)
Thanks for this chance to win it:))
I would love towin.
This will make a nice Christmas gift for the boys.
Be a good gift for my nephew this Christmas.
My students would enjoy this.
I have an eighth grade son who needs this book!
I would love to win this! Please enter me into the giveaway, thanks!!!!!
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would gift this to a friends son, he is an avid reader. Thanks.
This would be great for the elementary school library. They have very few books for the upper grades.
My son would love to find this under the Christmas tree.
This sounds perfect for my oldest son.
This is a great giveaway. Thank you.
Sounds like a great read for my book-obsessed nephew! I love to see him with a book in his hand rather than a gaming remote! Thanks!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
This book looks really interesting!
This looks really good.
Always need bokks for grandchildren
I’d love to gift this to a nephew!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I have a younger brother who would enjoy this!
This looks perfect for my boys! Thanks for the giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
This would be perfect for my nephew. It might make him put the video games down for a minute. 🙂
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I love this book’s cover!
this looks like something my son would would love!
I believe my son would enjoy this book.
sounds cool
I know a boy who is an avid reader and this sounds like a book he would love! I love when I see books on your blog that I say, oh “name” would love that, immediately. thanks for the giveaway!
My son would enjoy this book. He loves anything to do with space and aliens are fascinating to him.
My son would love this. Thanks for the giveaways.
My oldest grandson would enjoy this book.
It sounds like a book my son would like to read! Thanks
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
Please enter me 🙂
This book would be perfect for my nine year old grandson. [email protected]
I’m a huge fan!
My sons would love this book!
please enter me I know someone who would love the book