Backpack Stories

September 21, 2009
Ordinary backpacks get humorous treatment in four brief stories, told in sequential art, that make good use of puns and tropes from comic books, TV and movies. The first story, “History Man,” is a tongue-in-cheek documentary about the “history” of backpacks, full of goofy humor (“Historians believe the first backpack was created by a caveman named Roscoe.... Unfortunately his friends thought he was being attacked by a beaver, and they pounded him with sticks”). “Volcano, or Candy is Dandy,” about a science fair experiment, ends with an array of comic book–style sound effects (“gurgle gurgle! bang, bang!
”) as Brendan's bag turns out to be an excellent volcano. Girls will especially enjoy the tale of “ordinary Ashley” whose backpack turns her into a superhero. But O'Malley (Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share
) saves his best lampoon for “Day of the Living Backpack,” a sly take on kids' overloaded bookbags, starring a boy whose hungry backpack starts devouring everything in sight. O'Malley hints at the possibility of a sequel: “Backpacks aren't the only thing with scary surprises inside. Just look inside your... lunchbox
!” Ages 7–9.

September 1, 2009
Gr 2-4-This title will appeal to students because of its combination of silliness and colorfully graphic comic-book-style illustrations. Comprised of four short stories, each involving a backpack, the collection opens with a spoof, "History Man," on the origins of the backpack with a humorous time line that spans from the age of the caveman to the 21st century. In "Volcano," a science experiment goes awry with nasty results. A young girl transforms from Ordinary Ashley to "Jet: Super Backpack Girl" to combat disaster with the help of her backpack. In the final entry, "Day of the Living Backpack," the satchel appears to devour everything in its path and causes problems for its owner. O'Malley once again proves that he has a keen appreciation for the funny bones of his intended audience. Children will make room in their backpacks for this creative tribute to an object that has become an essential part of their everyday lives."Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2009
Grades 2-4 The subject of this colorful graphic novel-style picture bookbackpacksis certainly a universal one for kids, and these four tongue-in-cheek stories present an imaginative look at the secret lives and power of these carryalls. The first covers an early backpack development by such forwardor backward?looking figures as Roscoe the caveman and the ancient Greek GottaLottaStuffus. Next come an exploding backpack science project; Ordinary Ashley, who transforms into Super Backpack Girl to save airplanes and kittens; and the backpack that ate the living room. The chapters range from four to eight pages, the art from cool to garish. By the time kids are at the age of hauling around 25 pounds of homework (and who knows what else is in there) and can appreciate the humor, they are likely to need more payoff than these sometimes inconsistent pieces provide. Still, this whole is greater than the sum of its parts and will prompt kids to have a little fun with that monkey on their backs.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)