Thursday, July 31, 2008

My Summer on Earth

Bibliographic Information: Lombardi, Tom, (2008) My Summer on Earth, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 246 pp.

Genre: Science Fiction.

Awards. None.

Synopsis: A potty-mouthed alien disguised as a teenager wades ashore on Southern California’s Venice Beach and discovers that he has a lot to learn, both about impersonating a human and about getting laid. The alien’s name is Clint. Clint’s mission to earth is to find and take home one of his own who previously came to earth, defected, and then stayed around to become a famous actor in Hollywood. Before Clint leaves on his mission he is outfitted with a human suit, since aliens are only a mist of electrical waves and molecular activity. Clint is also programmed with information dealing with humans and what they do on earth. Clint’s father does not approve of the mission, or anything else his son ever does. When Clint arrives on earth, he meets a girl named Zoe who is a “love” obstacle in Clint’s mission.

Evaluative statement: This is a unique take on the alien-visiting-Earth concept. What’s different here is that the alien in question has a shocking potty mouth with absolutely no filter. F-bombs appear throughout the story. The dialogue is witty, but there is constant swearing and repeated commentary about Clint’s enormous penis. The book is written as a log and the events and obstacles that Clint goes through are priceless.

The overwhelming subject is the story is for Clint to get laid. Clint is a virgin, and his new-found love, Zoe, is also a virgin. When they do have sex (and it only happens one time) Clint doesn’t even know if that’s what he experienced and the reader is not quite sure either. I really think both teenage boys and girls will connect with this book. It’s really a sweet love story, and in my opinion, the Lombardi makes Zoe a real character. Lombardi is able to capture the essence of sweet innocence with a not-so-virtuous mouth, which is a very difficult thing to do. And, Lombardi covers so many bases (romantic comedy, Southern California satire, and a coming of age story).

Possible classroom uses for the book: Outside classroom independent reading.

Appropriate age range: 11th -12th graders. Personal read outside of school and class.

My Personal Reaction: At first I was shocked by the graphic language. But, even though it has frequent raunchy bits, I found it hilarious! The stuff involving the Hollywood actor, who’s also an alien, is absurd, not to mention a unique glance at our rather celebrity-obsessed culture. But I would recommend this book to anyone who is 16+, those who need to understand 16+, and more especially to those wanting to remember just how confusing 16 was.

No comments: