We're Out of Here!

December 1, 2017

Gr 2-5-Olga, the grouchy protagonist from Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere, has had it. Finally fed up with all the annoying humans here on Earth, she decides to head out into space and find the planet where Meh, her beloved, one-of-a-kind pet and the aforementioned "smelly thing from nowhere," comes from. The only problem is that she still has no idea where Meh's home planet might be or even how to get into space. To make matters infinitely worse, Meh suddenly falls seriously ill. Now, it's more imperative than ever for Olga to figure out what Meh is and where she comes from. It's going to take all of Olga's scientific and observational skills to unravel the mystery before it's too late. This second installment is just as entertaining as the first book. Kids will share much of Olga's annoyance with her fellow humans and some of Olga's observations are laugh-out-loud funny. Sometimes her single-mindedness can come across as a touch mean or selfish, but it's always easy to tell that her heart is in the right place. As in the first book, this is a highly illustrated hybrid chapter book, featuring comic-style artwork, word bubbles, doodles, and interesting facts throughout. Readers will also learn about space exploration and famous women astronauts as Olga does her own research on how to get to space. VERDICT Sometimes predictable but always smart and funny, this installment will delight those who haven't yet met Olga and seasoned fans.-Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2017
In her second science-based adventure, inquisitive Olga relies on research to help determine what ails her beloved pet, Meh.After discovering a new species--the Olgamus ridiculus--in her last adventure (Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere, 2017), fact-loving and gently misanthropic Olga has decided to leave Earth with Meh, who she's decided must come from another planet. The black-haired, pale-skinned girl gathers information about what they will need for their intergalactic journey by visiting her favorite punk-rock librarian, Ms. Swoop, amassing space facts from the internet, and learning about astronaut-appropriate fare. However, Olga soon notices that something is wrong with Meh when her companion's usually gentle demeanor and appearance both change for the worse. Will Olga be able to find out what is wrong with her cherished Olgamus ridiculus so they can embark upon their cosmic journey? Question-loving Olga describes herself as "grouchy," but this seems a bit unfair; Olga is a strong--and wholly likable--character who values research and fact (usually over human interaction) and is not afraid to speak her mind, whether she's confronting the popular girls or a vainglorious veterinarian. With pleasing, pink-toned two-color illustrations in an appealing graphic-hybrid format with large, charming artwork, this should appeal to an audience who likes their protagonists to be bold, smart, and welcoming of a gross-out joke or two.A well-wrought sophomore offering with a delightfully unconventional heroine. (Graphic/fiction hybrid. 7-11)

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