Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies

April 26, 2010
In this screwy, nonsensical thriller, 11-year-old twins Joules and Kevin are unwillingly deposited at Camp Whats-itooya, an unusual summer camp that is about to be attacked by giant alien bunnies (aka “Fluffs”). Led by a naturephobic scientist, a down-on-his-luck surfer, and a beehive-haired lady with a craft fetish, the twins are joined by three giggling look-alike campers dubbed “SmellyCat” (for Sam, Ellie, and Cat), and Nelson, who exuberantly promotes the virtues of the Plumbing Channel. As the bunny threat grows, Nelson and the twins hatch a plan involving Spam (the edible kind) and freeze-dried ice cream to thwart them from taking over the camp and the world. Interspersed with parenthetical asides, directives to the reader (“Those of you who avoided reading Table 1 probably ought to be brave and read this one.... Go ahead. We’ll amuse ourselves by singing while you read. La la la la la...”), and Santat’s (Chicken Dance) kinetic comic book–style panel art, Beaty’s (Cicada Summer) storytelling is lighthearted and fast-paced. Though the story may not linger much past the last page, her unconventional and entertaining narrative make it a wholly fun read. Ages 8–12.

July 1, 2010
Gr 3–5—-ar, far away in the Starburst galaxy ("just beyond the Milky Way but not as far as the Peanut Cluster"), a flaming meteor smashes the marshmallow Planet of the Fluffs into sticky goo. Faced with planetary meltdown, Fierce, Large, Ugly, and Ferocious Furballs hop a salvaged rocket ship and head for Earth, seeking a fresh source of sugary energy. Meanwhile, Earth twins Joules and Kevin arrive at Camp Whatsitooya. The boys are horror-film fans, and they quickly find that the camp has all the hallmarks of a fright-night flick. There are odd noises and unearthly creatures—and a smashed spaceship out in the woods. Even worse, the counselors all seem to be turning into zombies. The kids discover that the Fluffs have taken over and plan to reduce the campers' brains to quivering sweet mush—perfect food for the invaders. Can Joules and Kevin find a way to defeat the killer space bunnies or will the fuzzy fiends get them first? The off-the-wall plot bounces from crisis to crisis as the twins use their movie expertise to predict the next emergency. The rather acerbic narrator frequently "breaks page" to address readers with asides, directions, and even mock commercials. Black-and-white cartoons—some in multipanel-comic form—and a lot of in-text graphic sound words add to the wacky fun. Similar in tone to Jon Sciezka's "Time Warp Trio" series (Viking), but for a slightly older audience, this title should have special appeal to reluctant readers, especially boys.—"Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2010
Grades 3-6 Twins Kevin and Joules are excited enough to be attending summer camp in the wilderness, but if theres anything their obsession with classic horror flicks has taught them, its that camp is a prime setting for scary monsters, and that funny noise they just heard in the bushes is definitely something to worry about. Three Fluffs (Fierce, Large, Ugly, and Ferocious Furballs) have crash landed on earth after their marshmallow planet got exploded by a stray comet, and the warrior rabbits use their hypnotizing gazes and vicious floppy ears to commandeer the camp and turn its inhabitants brains into sweet, sweet mush. The sugar-rush plot follows a well-established course. The twins are savvy enough to know the obvious candidates to be gobbled up first and how many backup plans will be needed to triumph against the ferocious alien bunnies. A lighthearted, clever send-up of zany horror conventions, this book is just the thing for kids about ready for M. T. Andersons Whales on Stilts (2005) and other Jasper Dash books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)