Alexander Stadler is the author and illustrator of numerous books for children and adults, including the Beverly Billingsly series and WHAT WILLIE WORE. He has also worked in the fashion industry, designing prints for Todd Oldham and Comme des Gar�ons. Alexander Stadler lives with his partner and two dogs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Gr 2-5-In this follow-up to Trash Crisis on Earth (Scholastic, 2008), Julian is still acting like an undercover operative for a galactic federation placed on Earth to observe human family rituals. This story focuses on the arrival of relatives for Thanksgiving dinner. Julian is required to sleep in the basement when company occupies his room, play football with his twin cousins, dress formally for dinner, and endure the indignity of having his cheek spit-cleaned by a solicitous nana. Illustrated in black, white, and orange, the pen-and-ink drawings have a scrabbly energy that looks messy at first blush, but provides clear storytelling throughout. The alternating format of the inquiring computer and Julian's report to the federation provides solid read-aloud opportunities. The potential humor exists in the contrast between the ordinariness of the events and the dry, anthropological tone of the descriptions of them, and the arch regard Julian has for humankind. The comic-book panels and narrative balloons are kept to a minimum; this is less of a graphic novel than an illustrated book with some comic-book elements.-Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
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