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Apr 04, 2010

Laura rated it:

Hilarious, with some of the most endearing space aliens you could ever hope to see.

4 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 13, 2011

Mr. Lopez rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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Apr 05, 2011

Barky rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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Aug 20, 2010

Alicia rated it:

Thaddeus K. Fong can't understand why everybody is so crazy over his new baby sister, Maddie. His annoyance at her inability to say anything other than "ga" turns into amazement at the discovery that these "ga's" come in sets of prime numbers. The only logical explanation for this: she must be an alien.

Thaddeus' discovery is met with mockery, but he finds his proof when Maddie starts spitting up space pods holding small slug-like creatures, bent on world dominatio More...

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Nov 23, 2011

Philip rated it:

What an odd, odd book. It was pretty hilarious. I really liked it a lot. I say it that way because it was rather strange. The story's progressing and going on, and as I read it I kept thinking, "did that really just happen?"

This is by Gene Luen Yang the same author of the celebrated book American Born Chinese.

Prime Baby, however is all about a baby that only ga's (says ga ga) in prime numbers. Not as powerful a message, if you know what I mean... but plenty More...

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Feb 21, 2012

Ashley rated it:

Thaddeus hates his new baby sister. He comes up with a conspiracy theory that she is an alien because she says "ga" in prime numbers (she'll say it once, twice, three times, five times, etc). He starts monitoring her closely, interpreting everything she does as evidence that she is an alien. His sister loves the time they spend together and babbles to him even more. Then one day, she starts puking up these rather large capsules, which are actually space ships for an alien race hellbent More...

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May 19, 2010

Treasure rated it:

I giggled my way through this amusing tongue in cheek comic about a Thaddeus, who is convinced that his little sister is an alien. While not quite true, he does discover that she is a portal for aliens! Of course, no one believes him and believes he simply resents his sister. What I love about Gene is that in fact Thaddeus DOES resent his sister and it is demonstrated in a funny, somewhat subtle way, along with the ridiculous story line of his baby sister being an alien portal.
What is reve More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 19, 2010

Scott rated it:

I have had a bit of a love hate relationship with Gene Yang. He's a great guy. I heard him speak, and he is awesome. Awesome! I mean, he kept his job as a teacher after becoming a pretty popular graphic artist? That is stand-up. I like both his books that are available to a large degree. I like the art in American Born Chinese and I appreciate what they were trying to do in The Eternal Smile, even though I really only like one of the stories. His writing has always been his weak point for me. It More...

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Oct 30, 2010

Rebecca rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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Mar 06, 2011

Eva rated it:

Hard to classify, as it looks like a book for little kids, features a precocious 8-year-old protagonist, and yet is best enjoyed by older kids and teens. Is Thaddeus just jealous, or his baby sister actually an alien communicating by using prime numbers? A little of both, and more! There are some terrific lines, some very dry humor, and intriguing characters (Thaddeus' yoga and Oprah-addicted mom cracks me up). Thaddeus is one nerdy, annoying, but outrageously smart (and in this case, percep More...

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Oct 12, 2010

Patrice rated it:

I am officially a fan of Yang's now. I enjoy his art style, which feels simple but contains plenty of subtle depth. This story made me laugh out loud plenty of times, and warmed my heart at the same time. Yang has a knack for narration in graphic novels; it is my favorite part. Warren says "it was really weird." Trevor says "it was good." Not exactly review material, but there you go. The ending was wrapped up a bit quickly, but it did not detract from the overall experience.

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Nov 06, 2010

Beth rated it:

Starts off as one of those boy-gets-a-baby-sister-and-doesn't-like-her stories, but then takes a sharp left turn into weirdness involving aliens, moustaches, and math.

A delightful comic book, simpler in plot than American Born Chinese but with a similar style and offbeat flavor.

Highly recommended to Yang's fans, people who like oddball comics, middle-school boys and those who think like them (including middle-aged women like me).

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Nov 20, 2011

Deanna rated it:

I would have loved this book, however, I think there is no need of an 8 year old character talking about how his friend will be built like a brick-house when she grows up and that he will one day have a torrid affair with her once he grows bored with his marriage to Miley Cirus.
Ummmmmm.... WHY??? Otherwise, this is a good sibling rivalry story which made me laugh out loud..when I wasn't cringing.

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Oct 03, 2010

your neighborhood librarian rated it:

Some adult-like humor may push this very charming little tale into teen territory, which is where Gene Yang usually lives, so that's fine, of course. But the subject matter - an 8 year old boy dealing with his new baby sister and the intergalactic love slugs who hitch a ride to earth through her - makes me want to give it to younger readers. Anyway, love the art as always, love the colors, giggled through the story.

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Apr 04, 2010

Ron rated it:

A charming story about a 7-year-old boy who's ready to take over the world, except that he's convinced there's something seriously wrong with his baby sister... and he's right. About a third of the way through, the story takes a sharp turn from endearingly quirky to flat-out awesome and never looks back. And Gene Luen Yang's artwork, as always, gets a wealth of expression out of a simple line. This is a real treat.

4 comments like

Jul 26, 2011

Ramarie rated it:

This short graphic novel made me laugh out loud: when Thaddeus K. Fong's baby sister arrives, he is not pleased. His "mother's womb is a Trojan horse, I tell you". He begins to formulate his theory that his sister is actually an alien. Readers can decide for themselves if the alien slugs, missionaries of smiles and happy feelings, are real or just a result of having a baby sister.

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Jan 05, 2012

Sarah rated it:

Mustaches, math, mustaches, YouTube, slugs, and socks make for an unusual take on sibling rivalry. Eight-year-old Thaddeus has been de-throned in the Fong household by the arrival of baby Maddie. All his parents see is a precious baby. All he sees is drool. Oh, and when she says "ga ga ga", the number of "ga's" is always a prime number. She must be an alien. Gr. 3-6.

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Oct 28, 2010

Rachel rated it:

This is so endearing and fun to read. It doesn't provoke the same awe I remember feeling upon finishing American Born Chinese, but certainly lots of other good feelings. I like his clean-lined, simple drawing style. Apparently this came out as strips in the New York Times Magazine, but I can't tell where they were divided unless it was just each page.

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Sep 26, 2010

Hillary rated it:

Wrongly marketed as an "all ages" book. While it will not damage any young minds out there- the older you are the more you will understand and enjoy the whimsical funny story.
Older brother Thaddeus' behavior is stereotypical and therefore truly entertaining. When he is convinced his baby sister is an alien the humor really accelerates!

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Aug 13, 2011

Jessie rated it:

I love Gene Luen Yang's work and this beautifully drawn short graphic novel is no exception. Probably one of my favorite little bits is how accurate (page 20) his examples of YouTube comments are. I didn't give this one a 5 because the ending is a little cutesy, but this does feel like a book geared at a younger audience than most of Yang's work; think of it like a modern day mini-morality play that might involve . . . no spoilers :)

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Sep 25, 2010

Maggi rated it:

Bizzare and hard-to-categorize as ever, this recent serial story by the author of American Born Chinese is funny and clever. It contains elements that younger kids wouldn't understand, but I can see also why my public library put it in the Youth section. Math geeks and SF readers should check it out.

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Jun 04, 2010

Emilia rated it:

Yay! What a pleasant standing in the coffee-line/walk to work read.
In GLY's fashion there's a little complex moral lesson wrapped up in a ridiculous and ridiculously cute story. And I like his illustration style/panel layout. A fun read for kids and adults. Also about loving your siblings! Hooray hooray.

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Jul 05, 2010

Kara rated it:

Not at all what I expected: hilarious, sweet and subversive all at the same time. Spot-on characterization and comic timing drive this story of sibling resentment and inter dimensional alien missionaries. Previously serialized in the New York Times Magazine, now handily packaged as a complete unit.

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May 18, 2010

Laura rated it:

A short, simple, and very sweet book about an 8-year old who longs to be a dictator, and perhaps discovers a way to save/take over the world when he realizes his baby sister has ties to an alien world. I wish this book was a little bit longer, as I enjoyed the characters very much.

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Jan 22, 2011

May rated it:

Let's be honest here. With all the endless crying and screaming, white liquids with bits oozing from its mouths and noises and all kinds of unmentionable smells wafting from its diaper, how many of us honestly thought our baby sister/brother was actually an alien? In Thaddeus' case, he is absolutely convinced that his baby sister is simply that--an extraterrestrial life form. Unfortunately, no one believes him, including his parents who try to pacify him by giving him access to their credit card More...

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Jan 19, 2012

Debra rated it:

Absolutely loved it! I enjoy Gene Yang--he always pleases and hits a funnybone. His art is expressive and simple and apt. The only thing I didn't like was the size! Too small for easy reading for my old eyes. I would recommend this to all ages.

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Apr 22, 2010

Monica rated it:

my blog review. A real charmer I first read as a serial comic in the Sunday NYTimes a few years ago. Thank you, First Second, for bringing it out as a book!

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Aug 11, 2010

Jackie rated it:

Absolutely hilarious comic about a boy who wants to grow up to be a supervillain and his adorable baby sister who occasionally spits up aliens. I rushed to the library to pick up Yang's other works as soon as I finished reading this.

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Apr 22, 2011

Ryan rated it:

Very amusing strip about a ten year old who is convinced his new little sister is an alien. Usually with these things there is no payoff, but this one will surprise you with where it goes. You'll like it, I promise.

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May 27, 2010

Lisa rated it:

Alien Death Ray made me think of Sheldon's sonic death ray..

Anywho, weird story about a lonely little nerdfighter learning the importance of being with others. (The kid's in third grade gifted...but he seems older.)

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