Review by Booklist Review
Rodkey and the sponsoring Story Pirates combine a novel-length time-travel adventure spun from an 11-year-old's contest-winning story idea with extensive practical advice for budding writers on how to develop characters and storylines. The tale sends young Tom Edison (not that one), an amiable but scientifically clueless custodian, and brilliant but poorly socialized researcher Marisa Morice back (involuntarily) to the Old Stone Age. Though a saber-toothed tiger, a POV character who appears frequently enough to enlist a certain amount of reader sympathy, comes to a sudden, violent end, the story and its cast are both by and large comedic. Small scribbled drawings add comic detail, while the appended Story Creation Zone offers would-be authors notes on getting started, genre definitions, casting advice, brainstorming ideas, observations on the uses of conflict and reversals of fortune, and other cogent topics. The original idea is also included, so that readers can compare the seed to its final result. A lively alternative to more conventional manuals like Gail Carson Levine's Writing Magic (2006).--Peters, John Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Inspired by a story idea from real-life kid Vince Boberski, "presented" by performing troupe the Story Pirates, and written by Rodkey (the Tapper Twins series), this madcap tale also serves as an instruction manual for children thinking of writing their own books. As the story unfolds, readers are invited to check out tips in the "Story Creation Zone" at the back of the book to learn about character development, plot twists, and other components of storytelling. Rodkey begins at a mysterious lab where Marisa, a shy scientist, and Tom, a janitor with scientific aspirations of his own, accidentally trigger a time machine that sends them back to the Stone Age. There, they befriend cavemen, defeat a saber-toothed tiger, and try to figure out how to return to the present. Jam-packed with both writing advice and jokes, including a great running gag in which the cavepeople's unintelligible language is translated into erudite English, this two-for-one tale is as smart as it is entertaining. Art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: for the Story Pirates, Stephen Barbara, Inkwell Management; for Rodkey, Josh Getzler, Hannigan Salky Getzler. Illustrator's agency: Bright Group. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-A scientist wannabe and an introverted genius are stranded in 12,000 BC when their time machine leaves them behind. Now they must outwit not only the local cavemen but a saber-tooth tiger and other dangers. Meanwhile, back in the 21st century, the villainous CEO of CEASE (the Center for Extremely Advanced Science Experiments) is working to steal Dr. Morice's revolutionary solar cell technology. Rodkey's simple story, based on an idea supplied by an 11-year-old reader, is presented by the Story Pirates and accompanied by a guide for student writers placed at the back of the book. The guide is frequently referenced throughout, so interested readers can get an idea of the story-making techniques being employed. It's an interesting concept, and the writing guide, although basic, is snappy and just right for a middle grade audience. The only disconnect is the story itself, which would actually appeal to a younger crowd than the intended audience for the writing guide. However, given the ongoing popularity of other stories illustrated with stick figures, this may not be a deal breaker. -VERDICT Buy where Greg Heffley is popular, or where a group of aspiring writers awaits.-Elizabeth Friend, Wester Middle School, TX © 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 Kirkus Book Review
Time travel, cavemen, laughs, and a perfectly paced manual on story creation.Children's performing group the Story Pirates chose 11-year-old writer Vince Boberski's idea for a book and handed it to Rodkey, who turns it into the tale of a janitor named Tom Edison (not that one) who dreams of becoming a scientist (despite an H in Physics). After a time-machine accident, Tom and shy, brilliant scientist Dr. Marisa Morice are trapped in the Stone Age with saber-tooth-tiger-worshipping cavemen. How will they get back to their own time? At key points in the tale, cartoon versions of a Story Pirate and Boberski break in with a question about a story element. Readers can continue with the story or flip to a specified section of the "Story Creation Zone" that makes up the final quarter of the volume. The narrative of Tom and Marisa's adventure is sarcastic, funny, and entertaining enough to interest on its own, and the short (and also funny) instructional lessons on character creation, story setting, plot twists, climax building, and story endings are pitched to pique interest and get the creative juices flowing. Aly's cartoon illustrations (final art not seen) will add a giggle or two or three. Marisa appears to be black and Tom white, and naming conventions point to a diverse supporting cast. A must for young writers (even those not interested in sci-fi) and a fab, fun writing manual for writing teachers everywhere. (Science fiction/nonfiction hybrid. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
