The brief, positive review of Cold Cereal at Kirkus Reviews proves this. That said, while these are wildly different books, there was one moment at the very end that immediately called to mind to the final snowy scene of Philip Pullman's masterpiece, The Golden Compass.Īs fellow Rex fan noted in her fantastic review at Pink Me, this is a book that is hard to do justice to in a traditional review because there are so many intricacies in both characters and plot. With Cold Cereal, Rex has written a book like no other I can compare it to, which is something I really like to do.
Cold Cereal, Rex's newest book, is squarely a middle grade book and, while it is still very funny and full of interesting characters and excitement it is just a tidge lighter on satire than his other books and heavier on traditional fantasy, although with Rex's particular vision. Both books offer subtly (and sometimes sharp) social commentary that makes for laugh out loud moments that will have you reading passages to the nearest warm body. Oh yeah, and she is a kid who is planning to drive from Pennsylvania to Orlando. In The True Meaning of Smekday Gratuity "Tip" Tucci tries to make her way to Florida (as directed by the alien race of Boovs that has taken over Earth and is relocating all Americans to Florida) but her journey becomes and odyssey when a Boovish alien on the run from his fellow Boovs (and who insists on being called "J.Lo") hijacks Tip's car. In Fat Vampire Doug Lee is a pudgy fifteen year old learning to deal with his newly static existence. So what does Rex bring to the table besides his superlative illustrations? Intelligent humor, uncommon characters and unpredictable plots. In a nutshell, Adam Rex is a multitalented author and illustrator with a diverse, if not unique (is anything truly unique? I hate to use that word lightly, but I will use it here) perspective. Rex also wrote the funny but bittersweet teen novel Fat Vampire.
This review also includes images from Rex's superbly illustrated picture books, some of which he writes himself, some of which he teams up with the equally fabulous Mac Barnett. If you do not know his work, you MUST at the very least scroll through my review of The True Meaning of Smekday, Rex's middle grade novel about an alien takeover of the United States which he wrote long before post-apolcalyptic YA books were the rage.
You may know Rex from his poetry picture books which are now Halloween staples, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and Frankenstein Takes the Cake. I always get very excited whenever the Mr Rex has something new to share with the world of books and his latest novel is no exception. COLD CEREAL IS NOW IN PAPERBACK!! Adam Rex.