From the National Ambassador of Young People's Literature, comes the spaciest middle grade series this side of earth. BE SPHDZ.
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Oct 14, 2011
Fiver
rated it: 
It may be that the authors of "Spaceheadz" are trying a clever tack in their text, by trying to incorporate a multitude of buzzwords, catchphrases, and jingles into their story so as to be attractive to our current generation of kids (presumably drunk on television).
It may be that the pleasant scientific descriptions at the end of each chapter in this book are meant to sneak some education into the well-watered-down entertainment of these kids.
For those possibilities, a More...
It may be that the pleasant scientific descriptions at the end of each chapter in this book are meant to sneak some education into the well-watered-down entertainment of these kids.
For those possibilities, a More...
Jul 19, 2011
Cheryl
rated it: 
Another madcap romp from Jon Scieszka. On his first day of school at PS 858, Brooklyn, Michael K. is teamed up with two partners, Bob and Jennifer...well, three--if you count Fluffy, the hamster. While the rest of the class deems the threesome as either foreign (Bulgarian), "weirdos" or "slow" students, Michael K. learns that they are SPHDZ aliens, the majority of whose vocabulary stems from old tv commercials. Michael K. is impatient with their foreign ways and wants to d
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May 20, 2011
Cathy
rated it: 
Spaceheadz
By Jon Scieszka
Grades 3+
Could Michael K.’s first day of fifth grade at a new school be any worse?
Apparently, yes it can.
Michael K. is seated next to other new kids who are very odd. The girl eats pencils and the boy talks to the class hamster. Both children speak in commercial tag lines and claim that Michael K. is the key to keeping Earth from “turning off”. All he has to do is get three point one four million and one earthlings to be Spaceh More...
By Jon Scieszka
Grades 3+
Could Michael K.’s first day of fifth grade at a new school be any worse?
Apparently, yes it can.
Michael K. is seated next to other new kids who are very odd. The girl eats pencils and the boy talks to the class hamster. Both children speak in commercial tag lines and claim that Michael K. is the key to keeping Earth from “turning off”. All he has to do is get three point one four million and one earthlings to be Spaceh More...
Apr 09, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Michael K.'s first day of fifth grade is off to a horrible start. At his new school he's already been grouped with two of the strangest children, who are also new. There's something very not right about Bob and Jennifer, and that's with ignoring that Jennifer ate half of his pencil. They don't know why people raise their hands or why there are lines to go to recess. What they say makes no sense, especially when they say the class hamster is their mission leader. Bob and Jennifer claim to be
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Feb 18, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
A really hilarious, fast-paced book for younger readers that manages to have the good sense to dip its toe in potty humor every now and then without going too crazy with it. While the book is odd, the plot is actually also fairly comprehensible for a silly novel of its genre (and I don't know why almost all the sci-fi aimed at younger readers is so goofy, but that often feels like its the case).
Most students have a hard time starting school, but Michael K. has it even worse: Bob and J More...
Most students have a hard time starting school, but Michael K. has it even worse: Bob and J More...
Sep 15, 2010
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
rated it: 
the Book:
The perfect combination of the age old experience of holding and pouring
over a physical book with newest media technology that kids love!
Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that wasn't hard
enough, the kids he seems to have made friends with apparently aren't kids
at all. They are aliens. Real aliens who have invaded our planet in the form
of school children and a hamster. They have a mission to complete: to
convince 3, More...
The perfect combination of the age old experience of holding and pouring
over a physical book with newest media technology that kids love!
Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that wasn't hard
enough, the kids he seems to have made friends with apparently aren't kids
at all. They are aliens. Real aliens who have invaded our planet in the form
of school children and a hamster. They have a mission to complete: to
convince 3, More...
Jun 14, 2010
Ronald
rated it:
Fifth grade was never this bad, was it? First day in a new school and the two kids sitting next to Michael K. are either the weirdest kids ever or they are space aliens. (Well they must be from outer space because Dillard Picklebury from my fourth grade class was the weirdest kid ever. But I digress.) Bob and Jennifer let Michael know right away, that they are spaceheadz from another planet. Michael wishes he was on another planet or at least not assigned to sit next to these two loonies. Despit
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May 22, 2010
Abby
rated it: 
What the... what?
I was so excited about this book, but now I'm just... confused. Michael K, new kid in school, gets stuck sitting with two very weird also-new kids in his fifth grade class. They keep telling him they're aliens (Spaceheadz, actually) and that they have to get 3.14 million people to become SPHDZ or the Earth will be turned off. Their only knowledge of the Earth is from commercials and television, so that's their frame of reference.
I can get on board with More...
I was so excited about this book, but now I'm just... confused. Michael K, new kid in school, gets stuck sitting with two very weird also-new kids in his fifth grade class. They keep telling him they're aliens (Spaceheadz, actually) and that they have to get 3.14 million people to become SPHDZ or the Earth will be turned off. Their only knowledge of the Earth is from commercials and television, so that's their frame of reference.
I can get on board with More...
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Sep 08, 2010
Eva
rated it:
Michael K. is a regular sort of 5th grader, but Jennifer (square head, wears a tutu, spouts Wrestlemania slogans, eats pencils and other inappropriate items) and Bob (square head, wears a pink shirt, spouts advertising slogans, hugs fire hydrants and other inappropriate objects) are space aliens. Oh, and so is Fluffy, who looks like a hamster but doesn't act like one.
The plot, such as it is, involves Jennifer, Bob, and Fluffy trying to enlist Michael K.'s help to unite all humans int More...
The plot, such as it is, involves Jennifer, Bob, and Fluffy trying to enlist Michael K.'s help to unite all humans int More...
Jun 21, 2011
Charlyn
rated it:
On his first day in a new school, Michael K. is grouped with two other new students in school, visiting aliens Bob and Jennifer and hamster Fluffy. And they need Michael's help to save the world. Of course, Michael is the only one who knows they are aliens and who's going to believe him anyhow? Agent Umber from the AAA would, if he wasn't such a dud as a special agent.
I'm pretty sure that kids are going to like this book heaps more than I did, although I did find Bob and Jennife More...
I'm pretty sure that kids are going to like this book heaps more than I did, although I did find Bob and Jennife More...
Apr 09, 2011
Ubalstecha
rated it:
Jon Scieszka is a children's publishing legend. The former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, he is also the author The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Stinky Cheese Man and the Time Warp Trio, to name a few. He is also the creator of the Trucktown series for pre-school boys. Scieszka has been a one man band when it comes to getting boys to read.
SPHDZ is this the latest edition to his stable of funny, often silly and ridiculous, yet entertaining literature More...
SPHDZ is this the latest edition to his stable of funny, often silly and ridiculous, yet entertaining literature More...
Sep 08, 2010
Lars
rated it:
Scieszka makes his bid for the 'Wimpy Kid' audience, which should really be a perfect fit. It is, I guess, even if I'm not wildly enthusiastic.
When you think about it, Scieszka was really there before Mr. Kinney, or at least had started down the path. Like 'Time Warp Trio,' this one actually has a connection to school content with cool information wrapped up in the wise-guy prose and sharp graphics. 'Inference/Amplification,' 'Electromagnetic Fields,' 'Superorganisms'--stuff like More...
When you think about it, Scieszka was really there before Mr. Kinney, or at least had started down the path. Like 'Time Warp Trio,' this one actually has a connection to school content with cool information wrapped up in the wise-guy prose and sharp graphics. 'Inference/Amplification,' 'Electromagnetic Fields,' 'Superorganisms'--stuff like More...
Oct 20, 2010
Donalyn
rated it:
I think that many children (especially boys who may not enjoy reading) will like this silly, quirky story of three aliens that attempt to assimilate into a 5th grade class. I hated that the book so clearly launches a franchise including websites and sequels, though.
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Oct 13, 2010
Bobby
rated it:
Frantic story about a boy who inadvertantly gets involved with two aliens disguised as kids and their mission to save the earth.
And Scieszka's own mission to turn reluctant boys into avid readers is on full-display here. This read is teeming with goofy humor, countless pop culture references, slapstick, and some awesome pictures by Shane Prigmore. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much of a story arc, as it lacks any kind of ending. It's all set-up, folks.
I thin More...
And Scieszka's own mission to turn reluctant boys into avid readers is on full-display here. This read is teeming with goofy humor, countless pop culture references, slapstick, and some awesome pictures by Shane Prigmore. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much of a story arc, as it lacks any kind of ending. It's all set-up, folks.
I thin More...
May 12, 2010
William
rated it:
Spaceheadz by Jon Sciezka and Francesco Sedita
Michael K. found his first day in his new school even worse than he anticipated. He found himself adopted by three space aliens, the leader in the body of a hamster.
This book seems like it worked too diligently to be cool. The authors have a wealth of credentials and I expected to like it, I didn’t. The premise is fine but the book is bizarrely incoherent. Although that may be ok with the middle school kids this book i More...
Michael K. found his first day in his new school even worse than he anticipated. He found himself adopted by three space aliens, the leader in the body of a hamster.
This book seems like it worked too diligently to be cool. The authors have a wealth of credentials and I expected to like it, I didn’t. The premise is fine but the book is bizarrely incoherent. Although that may be ok with the middle school kids this book i More...
Sep 14, 2010
melissa1lbr
rated it:
Complete and utter frivolity. It was so fun to read, if a bit confusing and ridiculous. Kids, boys especially, will find entertainment galore. If you like a little sci-fi with your books, this will also please. Definitely, when the kids get a little older, they will not love it as much, as it will seem juvenile and silly. It comes with some fun websites to continue the adventure. And I loved the silly pictures that came with it. I think the final copy even comes with stickers as well. Fu
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Jul 21, 2010
Bonnie
rated it:
This is the first in a new series and is a book middle school readers (and others) will love. Short chapters and plenty of great illustrations really move the story along. Poor Michael K.-it's his first day of fifth grade at a new school in a new town and he desperately wants to fit in; but two other new students-Bob and Jennifer-who are definitely weird gloom on to him right away. They speak in snippets from television ads and are so weird that Michael K. thinks they act like they are from an
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Sep 10, 2010
carissa
rated it:
Recommended Ages: grades 3-5
The perfect combination of the age old experience of holding and pouring over a physical book with newest media technology that kids love!
Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that wasn't hard enough, the kids he seems to have made friends with apparently aren't kids at all. They are aliens. Real aliens who have invaded our planet in the form of school children and a hamster. They have a mission to complete: to convince 3,140,00 More...
The perfect combination of the age old experience of holding and pouring over a physical book with newest media technology that kids love!
Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that wasn't hard enough, the kids he seems to have made friends with apparently aren't kids at all. They are aliens. Real aliens who have invaded our planet in the form of school children and a hamster. They have a mission to complete: to convince 3,140,00 More...
Jul 03, 2011
Christen
rated it:
The humorous first installment of the Spaceheads series begins with Michale K’s first day of fifth grade at a brand new school, sitting next to aliens. Like you do. As much as he’d like to avoid arguably the strangest classmates he’s ever had, Michael soon finds himself pulled into a mission that involves a talking hamster named Major Fluffy and convincing 3,140,001 kids to sign up to BE SPHDZ. The consequences if they fail? The world gets turned off. Scieszka’s humor shines through in this nove
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Sep 15, 2010
Phoebe
rated it:
Michael K. has only been in the 5th grade for 20 minutes, but it's already feeling very weird. Are the two kids sitting next to him really aliens? They seem to think that Michael K. is the only person who can help them accomplish their mission. Things get more complicated, and funnier, when Agent Umber of the Anti Alien Agency is on the aliens' trail. This is a silly yet smart book that will appeal perfectly to the average 4th grade child, especially the one who loves Captain Underpants or Dra
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Aug 10, 2010
Nobies57
rated it:
Scieszika stays true to his cause of enticing boys to read. This is a funny, highly illustrated read about Michael K. whose first day at Brooklyn's PS 858 happens to coincide with two alien kids from planet SPHDZ who are here on a mission to get 3.14 million people to become SPHDZ so that earth doesn't "turn off." The details are a little sketchy, but it moves along and it's funny how the Bob and Jennifer find a reason to repeat every add slogan you can think of. When push comes to
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Jan 08, 2012
Melissa
rated it:
My boys adored this. They laughed so much and had to visit the tie-in websites after we finished. They wanted me to read it in one night, we did it in three pretty long sessions but their interest held up. The font and slanted text really annoyed me but the kids thought it was hysterical that I had to turn the book upside down for one chapter so these devices must be good for the target audience. Also, it has extremely short chapters and pictures on almost, but not every, page so I think it i
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Mar 30, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
I came into this with really high hopes. Scieszka wrote "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales," which made me laugh until I cried when I was younger.
SPHDZ just didn't live up. It felt more like a they picked an author who they knew could sell air and tried to find out how many advertisements they could squeeze into 164 pages. The plot fell by the wayside. You have to fork out for the second book to find out what the point of the drama is.
The best thing about More...
SPHDZ just didn't live up. It felt more like a they picked an author who they knew could sell air and tried to find out how many advertisements they could squeeze into 164 pages. The plot fell by the wayside. You have to fork out for the second book to find out what the point of the drama is.
The best thing about More...
Jul 21, 2010
Kristen
rated it:
Why I read this: Jon Scieszka writes some of the funniest kids books around and I couldn't resist checking this one out.
Plot: Michael K. is a new kid just wanting to fit in at a new school, but the two classmates he has to sit next to are out of this world weird - literally. This two kids claim they are SPHDZs, along with the class hamster. They were sent down to help Earth avert a horrible disaster, but they need the help of Michael K. Of course, Michael thinks these kids are really More...
Plot: Michael K. is a new kid just wanting to fit in at a new school, but the two classmates he has to sit next to are out of this world weird - literally. This two kids claim they are SPHDZs, along with the class hamster. They were sent down to help Earth avert a horrible disaster, but they need the help of Michael K. Of course, Michael thinks these kids are really More...
Jan 26, 2011
Beth
rated it:
Scieszka's humor is entirely evident in this tale of Michael K.'s new school, where he find two aliens pretending to be fifth graders, along with a very unusual hamster. The aliens need to recruit Earth kids to be SPHDZ to prevent Earth's destruction, and they need Michael's help. A bumbling secret agent adds to the humor, as does the aliens' propensity to speak in advertising slogans, since their knowledge of Earth comes from watching television. Some physical humor, irreverence for teachers
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Mar 22, 2011
Heather
rated it:
Michael K. knows he is in for a year of trouble when on his first day of fifth grade he gets stuck with the two new kids. They shout out random phrases and let him know right away that they are SPHDZ from another planet and need his help to get 3.14 million other SPHDZ's on Earth, or it will be canceled. There's also an agent (Agent Umber-all the good names were already taken) from the AAA or Anti-Alien Agency on the lookout for the aliens. Strange, but kids will eat it up. The illustrations
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Dec 29, 2010
nicole
rated it:
I was really into this book, even if it won't make my working shortlist. I liked the mix of graphics and irregular font, with the repeated use of the SPHDZ logo. I liked that it had a certain sense of humor, without needing to resort to booger and fart jokes. I'm still not certain I follow the thread of the story as to what exactly a SPHDZ is, even after visiting the website and pledging over my brainwaves. I'd like to think there is some sort of anti-commercialism message, but I'd continue foll
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Oct 16, 2010
Deanna
rated it:
Michael, a fifth grader in a new school, meets two classmates who are also new. They seem odd and talk mostly in advertising jargon. It turns out they are aliens with a talking hamster for a commander, Major Fluffy. Bumbling Agent Umber (think Inspector Clouseau) is trying to find aliens, in fact, his job may depend on in. Michael gets caught up in the action and learns that he may be a big part of the fate of the earth. Several websites mentioned in the story are available for readers making
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Jan 02, 2012
Sam
rated it:
Have you ever heard of the phrase "looks can be deceiving"? Well, that's what happened with me and Spaceheadz the moment I decided to read it. If the Three Musketeers of Failure (aka the top 3 worst books ever) had a leader, it would be this cheesy abominable book. The humor was raw, the dialogue was unfunny, the cartoonish happenings were badly felt, and I think this space wouldn't hold enough to let me spill out how much I disliked this book. Oh, and one more thing to you, Mr. Sciesz
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Nov 24, 2010
Aimee
rated it:
Michael K. starts his off his 5th grade year at a new school in a new town. As if that's not hard enough, 2 of the strangest kids in his class appear to already know him and won't leave him alone. Are they truly aliens as Michael suspects? Why do they speak in slogans from ads and why does their hamster seems to carry on full conversations? Why is it that none of the adults in the book take Michael seriously when he tries to get their help? Funny but with a touching ending. Loved it and can
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