Michael Merschel

Clark Sherman is miffed that his parents, aka the commanders, moved his family to an alien planet, aka new town. From the moment he steps foot into his new middle school he is under attack. It all starts with the bully trio who harasses him relentlessly. Then the guidance counselor, who should be on his side, messes up his schedule and puts him in remedial math, two PE classes, and independent study in the library. The worst is yet to come when he meets the military style principal who is out to get him. Just when it appears that the alien forces, aka students and teachers, are going to win the attack, two comrades, aka potential friends, come out of the shadows and together form a plan to establish a new order at Festus Middle School.

This story is told from the perspective of a teen boy who likes to compare his everyday challenges to those in his favorite TV show, Star Survivors. He’s your classic sci-fi nerd. At times the author goes overboard when writing in the “space explorer under attack” voice. At other times, he doesn’t use the voice at all and it comes across as inconsistent. However, the overall effect is clever and catchy. Major themes include surviving at a new school, making friends, popular vs. unpopular kids, bullying, and defeating the bad guys. Clark takes everything in stride and tells his story with humor. This is a book for kids who like to read and prefer books with humor.… (lisätietoja)

A humorous novel written by a Texan, Revenge of the Star Survivors will entertain you.

Clark lives in an alternate universe--his own. He has just moved to a new city because his parents (or Commanders as he refers to them) have new opportunities. In his mind, he compares everything to space metaphors. As the novel progresses, he loses the metaphors as he gains friends. Upon entering his new school, he quickly learns that this fortress is almost impenetrable. He must keep a low profile. There is more than one bully, and they are firmly in charge. Clark refuses to tell his parents about the physical abuse he endures at school and has excuses for the bruises that appear. His parents aren’t as blind as he thinks they are, however.

Clark isn’t the only “zero” in the fortress. He keeps seeing a kid who disappears. He also spends study time in the library with a girl who tries to stay under the radar. Both of these people have a lot more going on than appearances would suggest. Les is a genius and has figured out places where one can hide as well as move about the building unseen. Ricki works in the office where she can access all sorts of files, which comes in handy.

Most of the novel is about the bullies and how they manipulate everyone, from students to faculty. Our three zeroes finally come up with a plan to overthrow the bullies and survive. Unfortunately, the plan is thwarted. You’ll enjoy how inventive each of our characters are and the final resolution. It’s a humorous take on an outlandish look at one really messed up middle school.… (lisätietoja)

Literary Merit: Okay
Characterization: Okay
Recommended: Not Recommended
Level: Middle School

This book tells a rather standard story about bullying in a middle school, struggling with uneven tone and narrative problems throughout. Everything goes wrong immediately when Clark moves to a middle school in Alaska - he attracts the attention of the local bullies, he's mistakenly assigned to remedial classes, and he's worn the wrong clothes to fit in. The three main characters, Clark, Les, and Korean-American Ricki, are agreeable, if not especially memorable. The adults in their lives range from comically inept to outrageously evil, with the one exception being Miss Beacon, Clark's favorite teacher (also a librarian). The book addresses serious topics, including bullying, depression, abuse, and corrupt school staff, but the Scooby-Doo-esque shenanigans the kids resort to and the initial gimmick of filtering Clark's experiences through a series of sci-fi motifs clash royally with these attempts to address real-world issues.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the book's climax, which resolves a cascade of difficult and complex problems in a simplistic and cartoonish confluence of events. Ultimately, this is a book that can't decide whether it's a gritty tragedy or a quirky, reference-filled romp, a battle that seriously undermines the book's characters, plot, and message. There are a lot of better books on bullying out there, and a lot of better books on being a geek, as well.… (lisätietoja)