Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World by Anthony McGowan
| Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World by Anthony McGowan | |
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| Category: Confident Readers | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: A delightfully silly school cum sci-fi romp for confident readers, with plenty of pants-based humour, but never at the expense of a rollicking good read. Anthony McGowan was kind enough to be interviewed by Bookbag. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 320 | Date: April 2010 |
| Publisher: Corgi Yearling Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0440869245 | |
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Alexander's Uncle Otto wears tinfoil hats, claims everyone is out to get him and thinks there are aliens coming to eat the human race. He keeps Einstein's grey grundies in his kettle, as he's sure they'll help save the world. Alexander knows he's more than a bit crazy, but loves spending time with him anyway. ...Oh, and by the way, aliens are coming to eat the human race.
I loved Einstein's Underpants. It strikes the perfect balance between wacky wahey pants-based fun, and a top-quality, energetic sci-fi romp. The rag-tag band of schoolkids thinking they've got superpowers are a great invention, and bring to mind the silliness of Mystery Men. Each member of FREAK (the Federation of Really Awesome Kids) brings plenty to the table, and will strike a chord with every young reader.
I particularly liked the inclusion of Jamie, who has Down's syndrome. It's by no means a realistic portrayal - this is a book with big green blobs that communicate through smell, after all - but it's a positive portrayal. The other kids do treat him differently, as each of them is treated differently in their own ways, but he's included, one of the gang in his own right. There's just an understanding and an acceptance that kids often seem to do so much better than adults. It all blends nicely into the story. It's not a forced message or something that has been shoe-horned in to be right-on. It's just a really nice touch. (And a minor part of a much bigger story that I've made out to be more than it is).
Einstein's Underpants is a substantial book that confident readers will love getting their teeth into. It clocks in at over 300 pages, but it doesn't feel overlong, nor does it ever lose its way. There's a strong plot throughout, with lashings of adventure and excitement at every turn. The writing style is dramatic, punchy, and is perfectly pitched at its audience. Anthony McGowan is always excellent, and this is no exception. Highly recommended.
If pants and bums are your thing, you'll love The Day My Bum Went Psycho by Andy Griffiths. Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo strikes a similar tone, but its Norwegian setting gives it something a little different too. You might also enjoy Aliens Don't Eat Dogfood by Dinah Capparucci and The Donut Diaries: Revenge is Sweet: Book Two by Anthony McGowan.
Anthony McGowan was kind enough to be interviewed by Bookbag.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World by Anthony McGowan at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World by Anthony McGowan at Amazon.com.
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