Back in 2001 the movie A.I. was released. When it released there was also a very intricate and complicated, interactive game on the internet that was released with it. Character’s from the A.I. world had their own websites, including the cities in the story, etc. You were able to hack into websites and find coroner’s reports, and investigate a “murder”. You can check out the details of this game at the Cloudmakers. I was obsessed with this game at the time. I loved how a movie could tie the internet in and create a whole new experience.
I got a similar feeling when checking out the book Spaceheadz. There are websites within the story that the readers can check out right along with the characters. You can go to mrshalleyscomets.com with Michael K (the main character with a FANTASTIC name, since it also happens to be my son’s name) when he goes to look up his homework for the day. You can go to antialienagency.com right along with him and help figure out what to do about these aliens that he has met.
I really enjoyed that aspect of the book, although my test subjects (my two nephews ages 7 & 12) did not understand that when they read that Michael went to a website, that they would actually be able to type the website in and check it out too. My Sister and I had to explain that to them.
What they did say about the book though was that it had similar humor and artwork as the extremely popular Captain Underpants series. If your child likes those they will most likely enjoy this book. They also said that while they liked various scientific facts interspersed throughout the book, but were unsure sometimes about it relevance to the story. They also said that they would really enjoy a movie based on this book, and will definitely read the second book in this series.
It is “The perfect combination of the age old experience of holding and pouring over a physical book with newest media technology that kids love!
“Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that wasn’t hard enough, the kids he seems to have made friends with apparently aren’t kids at all. They are aliens. Real aliens who have invaded our planet in the form of school children and a hamster. They have a mission to complete: to convince 3,140,001 kids to BE SPHDZ. But with a hamster as their leader, “kids” who talk like walking advertisements, and Michael K as their first convert, will the SPHDZ be able to keep their cover and pull off their assignment?”
A little bit about the author
Jon Scieszka is the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, named by the Library of Congress. He is the author of some of the best known and funniest books written for children including The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Time Warp Trio series and the Caldecott Honor Book The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Fairy Tales. He is the creator of the Trucktown series, of which Smash!Crash! was an NY Times bestseller for many weeks. Jon is a former elementary school teacher, and a avid promoter of literacy—particularly for boys. His website www.guyssread.com focuses on his national campaign. Jon lives with his family in Brooklyn, NY.
View the trailer…
Here’s the great part! FIVE lucky winners will win their very own copy of the book! Simply leave a comment on this post to be entered to win. Giveaway will run until Sunday, September 12th, at 8 PM MST. Only one entry per person. Thank you!
*I received a copy of the Spaceheadz book to facilitate my review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own (and my nephews).
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you make a purchase using the links.
I have a 5th grader who would probably really get into this kind of book.
I say, anything that encourages kids to read and holds their attention is great! My 11yo would love to have a reason to get on the computer after reading this book!
I think my son would enjoy this book. Not sure about all the related content, but perhaps…
My boy would LOVE this!!
Would love to win this! =)
This book looks great! I may have to buy it if I don’t win. 🙂
That book looks great. I have a fourth grader who is hating to read might have to look into it!!
Sounds like the perfect book for my older boy!
I would love to win this book. My niece and two nephews love our “Auntie Days”, that is me. We go to Barnes and Nobles and read books and at the end of our time I let them chose a book each. They love it. We end the day with a great day at park and a nice dinner.
My son loves to read…this sounds like something he would really like!
my nephew would loooove this
My 7 y/o loves this book! We’ve checked it out of our local library about 8 times! She would be super excited to have her own copy!