Mutant Bunny Island

September 1, 2017

Gr 3-6-Skye concocts another far-fetched, imaginative plot in his latest middle grade novel, the first in a trilogy. To 10-year-old Perry Owens, the "Ocean Blasteroids" comic book series is more real than his actual life. He identifies with the hero, a squid named Admiral Uli, and sees evil newts everywhere. When he receives a comic with a coded message for help from his Uncle Zeke, Perry knows he must spring into action, an uncharacteristic decision since Perry rarely leaves the house. Happy that his son finally wants to experience a summer adventure, his tolerant father allows Perry to travel with two suitcases full of junk food to Bunny Island, where only healthy foods are allowed. Alas, Uncle Zeke is nowhere to be found, but the island is overrun with adorable rabbits. Seeking guidance from the wise words of Admiral Uli and strength from his illegal stash of salty snacks, Perry and two kids from the island figure out why people have been disappearing and how to foil the culprit. Each chapter begins with an excerpt of "Ocean Blasteroids." VERDICT Kids who enjoy fast-paced books with unlikely, hyperactive heroes, and outlandish adventures will be amused.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2017
There's a long, proud history of nonsense books, which includes Lewis Carroll and Dr. Seuss. But this novel makes less sense than most.When Perry goes on vacation to Bunny Island, he packs nothing but junk food. He leaves on the spur of the moment because his uncle has mailed him a two-word distress call. The first word is "HELP." The second word is "MEL," and Perry interprets it to mean that his uncle has been kidnapped by intelligent newts. This actually makes sense. Perry and his uncle are fans of a comic book about Adm. Uli, a talking squid, and in the squid language, "mel" means newt. But even people who don't read comics seem to think Perry's behavior is normal. His father has no problem sending him across the world by himself, with no notice whatsoever. Juliet Jordan, a girl he meets on the island, does think his story is odd, but it doesn't bother her much. "Sometimes," she says, "life is better when you stop trying to make sense." (Most of the characters are white, though one supporting character is described as "dark-skinned and cool looking.") The book would have benefited from a few more skeptics. After all, Alice questioned everything she saw in Wonderland. The story is always fast-paced and imaginative, but maybe it's a little too imaginative. Skeptics may prefer something a bit more grounded. (Humorous fantasy. 8-12)

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September 18, 2017
A comics-loving boy travels to an island full of bunnies (but completely lacking in junk food) in Skye’s joyfully wacky tale. Ten-year-old Perry Owens loves the Ocean Blasterzoids comics his uncle Zeke sends him, and he tries to model himself after Admiral Uli, a heroic squid who fights evil newts. In reality, Perry is friendless, living with his single father and spending most of his time reading at home. When Zeke sends a note with the latest comic asking for help, Perry packs a suitcase of junk food and flies from Ohio to Bunny Island. After discovering that his uncle has vanished, Perry befriends locals Rain and Juliet, who help him uncover the plot behind his uncle’s disappearance and the greater danger that faces the island. Filled with Admiral Uli’s wisdom and aquatic puns (“When things look dark as ink, always suck it up and get kraken”) and interspersed with comics excerpts drawn by Vieira (not seen by PW), this goofy, mile-a-minute romp is a boatload of fun. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Laurie Liss, Sterling Lord Literistic.

October 1, 2017
Grades 4-6 A plea for help from his favorite uncle, Zeke, sends fifth-grader Perry arrowing, like his comics hero Admiral Uli the squid, to the rescue. Arriving on Rabbit Island with two suitcases full of snacks (because the remote resort is proudly 100% junk foodfree ), Perry finds herds of excruciatingly adorable bunnies underfoot but Zeke, and many other residents, mysteriously vanished. More mysterious still, following a sudden rush from the uncommonly delicious juice made from the huge purple carrots in his uncle's garden, he sees everyone else around him growing long ears and patches of fur. Could this be the work of evil newts, Admiral Uli's longtime nemeses? Skye douses his surreal caper with nautical one-liners ( It's always darkest before the prawn ), and Vieira adds graphic depictions of Admiral Uli's battles with slimy foes between select chapters. The villain turns out not to be an amphibian after all, and following a melodramatic climactic melee, Perry saves the day and gets a hero's sendoff. Ink-credible!(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)