Stranger Things: A Branches Book (Looniverse #1) - Softcover

Lubar, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0545496020 ISBN 13: 9780545496025

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., 2013

Synopsis

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

LOONIVERSE is an exciting new series that combines fantasy and humor. In this first book, Ed finds a coin bearing the words "strange, stranger." Once this coin comes into his life, strange things start happening all around him. One of his friends gets stuck in midair, his brother turns into a pool float, and his sister's food makes its way off her plate! Even more bizarre events all lead up to a surprise ending, leaving Ed with a new responsibility and a realization that there's more to this mysterious coin than meets the eye!

About this title

About the Author:

David Lubar created a sensation with his debut novel, HIDDEN TALENTS, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. He is the author of over thirty-five books, for readers ranging from first grade through high school and beyond. These include PUNISHED! (A Junior Library Guild Selection), the Weenies short story collections, the popular middle-grade series Nathan Abercrombie: Accidental Zombie, and the Looniverse early chapter-book series. David lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and various felines.

Matt Loveridge likes to draw subjects that expose the lighter side of life, so he loves illustrating children’s books! Looniverse was the first children’s book series he illustrated. Matt lives in Utah with his beautiful, supportive wife and their three rambunctious kids (who are a constant source of inspiration!).

From School Library Journal:

Gr 1-3-Boris is an energetic character who longs for adventure, just like those his parents had before they turned their old bus into a house. One day they take him on an adventure of his own. Disappointed at first that it's only to another part of their town, he soon realizes that adventures can happen anywhere-even in his own backyard. This is a fun easy reader book with great full-color cartoons, brief text in large print, and likable characters. A bonus page gives instructions for making a compass, leading to a great interactive experience. Stranger Things has a bit more text and fewer illustrations. Ed feels that he does not have any interesting traits or talents; he is simply an extremely normal boy. However, he has no idea just what is in store for him when he finds a coin that says "strange, stranger." Soon everything is erupting into chaos, from his sister's food train turning into an actual moving train at the dinner table to a friend being able to turn his head completely around. Are these strange happenings trying to send Ed a message? This is a silly book that will pull kids in with the goofy plot and the fun black-and-white illustrations. The truly strange thing about this book is that it references Albert Camus's The Stranger, an odd choice for this audience. These books should be considered for larger libraries wanting to enhance their easy-reader collections.-Elizabeth Swistock, Orange County Public Library, VAα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0545496020
• ISBN 13: 9780545496025
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Loveridge Matt