Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Zeke just moved to Earth from Targas with his life-form researcher parents. No one wonders about the long purple Gardash strands Zeke eats for lunch, his origins on Targas, or his special powers, which are displayed at school on more than one occasion-except for his next-door neighbor, Harris. Harris is highly suspicious and decides to spend a day with Zeke to determine if the new kid is an alien. By the end of this first series entry, Zeke and Harris are well on their way to becoming friends. Harris's suspicions may be confirmed, and readers are set up for the next installment. Black-and-white illustrations on each page may make this appealing to newly independent or reluctant readers. VERDICT The formulaic writing and predictable plotting make this ideal for kids venturing beyond easy readers and ready to try their hand at a longer chapter book.-Lindsay Persohn, University of South Florida, Tampa and Polk County Public Schools. © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Harris suspects Zeke, the new kid, is not quite of this world: Zeke's lunch is totally weird, he can balance on his fingertips while upside down, and he's never eaten pizza. As Zeke tries to fit in, a wary new friendship with Harris develops, presumably to be expanded on in future volumes. Black-and-white illustrations on every page enhance this humorous early chapter book. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Second-grader Harris Walker's sure something's odd about the new kid at school, whose family has just moved in next door. Harris has seen Zeke do impossible things, but no one else has. Meanwhile, Zeke, or Zekelabraxis, is unhappy to be starting over in a new school on a new planet. Due to his scientist parents' research, the family moves around a lot, and Zeke misses everything about his home, Tragas. It's hard making friends while hiding your true self. Harris' best friend, Roxy Martinez, feels sorry for Zeke and includes him when she can, urging Harris to do the same. After a successful play day at Harris' house, Harris is ready to be friends with Zekebut not ready to give up trying to prove Zeke's not of this world. Newton's first in a series of easy chapter books is largely occupied by setup, simply establishing characters and relationships with very little plot. Mild humor is found in Zeke's attempts to conceal his true nature, but the alternating third-person focus between Harris and Zeke blunts much of its potential. Human diversity is signaled (Harris may be black; Roxy is evidently Latina) but not explored; in his human form, Zeke appears to be white, though he's actually fairly squidlike. Sarkar's cartoon illustrations on every page pair well enough with the text. (Final art not seen.)This series spin on the alien-next-door trope gets off to a slow start. (Science fiction. 5-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
