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Against All Odds
The Odds (Boney, Itchy and Squeak) have vanquished their mortal enemy, Larry Harry, and his two sidekicks, but that doesn’t stop these dastardly bullies from trying to compete against Squeak in a radio-controlled airplane contest. But everyone is blown away when the winner turns out to be a girl. And not just any girl. Samantha Moss is eerily similar to Squeak -- she can match him note for scientific note. Itchy isn’t too keen on inviting her into the clubhouse, but it turns out the boys need all the help they can aliens have landed in their town . . . and have cloned the Odds! There are Itchys and Boneys and Squeaks all over the place. It takes all their imagination and scientific know-how to come up with a plan to stop the clones -- but will it work?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2011
12 people want to read
About the author
Natale Ghent
11 books17 followersNatale Ghent has been writing stories since she was six. Her first books, written and illustrated, revolved around a family of circles: a momma circle, a papa circle and two baby circles. The momma circle wore a fur stole, distinguishing herself from the papa circle, who wore a fedora, naturally.
Natale graduated from writing about circles to writing and illustrating stories about a small fairy, and later, to stories about talking guinea pigs and eventually humans.
When Natale was very young, she wanted to be an archeologist, a ballerina, a veterinarian, a singer and a magician, but not necessarily in that order. Later in life, she realized she could be all these things and more through her writing. She says, "I never set out to be a novelist in the way that so many do these days. All I knew was that I had a voracious curiosity about life and that I loved telling stories. I simply stumbled along until writing took me by the hand and refused to let go, though I recognize now that there were many signposts guiding me along the way. I come from a long line of consummate story tellers. It just never occurred to me that I could tell stories for a living. And now I can’t imagine doing anything else."
Of NO SMALL THING she says, "The story is based on true events from my childhood. I carried it in my heart for years until it begged to be put on paper. I wrote the book for my family and for anyone, young or old, who has struggled for something they believe in. I never imagined the story would mean so much to so many children. I’m humbled by the letters and stories these children send to me."
Natale graduated from writing about circles to writing and illustrating stories about a small fairy, and later, to stories about talking guinea pigs and eventually humans.
When Natale was very young, she wanted to be an archeologist, a ballerina, a veterinarian, a singer and a magician, but not necessarily in that order. Later in life, she realized she could be all these things and more through her writing. She says, "I never set out to be a novelist in the way that so many do these days. All I knew was that I had a voracious curiosity about life and that I loved telling stories. I simply stumbled along until writing took me by the hand and refused to let go, though I recognize now that there were many signposts guiding me along the way. I come from a long line of consummate story tellers. It just never occurred to me that I could tell stories for a living. And now I can’t imagine doing anything else."
Of NO SMALL THING she says, "The story is based on true events from my childhood. I carried it in my heart for years until it begged to be put on paper. I wrote the book for my family and for anyone, young or old, who has struggled for something they believe in. I never imagined the story would mean so much to so many children. I’m humbled by the letters and stories these children send to me."
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 22, 2011
The Good Stuff
* A fabulous sequel to The Odds Get Even with enough back story included that you won't be lost without reading the first book. At the same time not too much repetition of the original story so those who have read The Odds Get Even, won't get bored
* Nerdy kids and oddball aliens what's not to like
* Fast paced storyline
* Squeak talks like Spock
* Addition of new character Sam might intrigue the girl reader to pick up the story. Sam is also not overly girly so she won't turn off the boy readers
* Jake will love this book, can't wait for him to read it and hear what he has to say
* Lots of gross out stuff for the middle school kid to enjoy
The Not so Good Stuff
* drags a wee bit
* Icky's character was almost a caricature at times, does develop, but was a little irritated with his lack of development
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"They'd brushed their teeth and kissed their parents good night and gone to sleep right away, like all good boys do .... As if."
"Boney and his uncle peeked at each other in fear. At least when they knew what was coming they could prepare themselves for the shock."
"Little green men. I hate those guys."
"Actually, they're grey," Sam quietly corrected him."
Who should/shouldn't read
* Perfect for the oddball boy/girl who feel a little different
* Nerdy adults will enjoy and get a kick out of the characters
4 Dewey's
I received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review
* A fabulous sequel to The Odds Get Even with enough back story included that you won't be lost without reading the first book. At the same time not too much repetition of the original story so those who have read The Odds Get Even, won't get bored
* Nerdy kids and oddball aliens what's not to like
* Fast paced storyline
* Squeak talks like Spock
* Addition of new character Sam might intrigue the girl reader to pick up the story. Sam is also not overly girly so she won't turn off the boy readers
* Jake will love this book, can't wait for him to read it and hear what he has to say
* Lots of gross out stuff for the middle school kid to enjoy
The Not so Good Stuff
* drags a wee bit
* Icky's character was almost a caricature at times, does develop, but was a little irritated with his lack of development
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"They'd brushed their teeth and kissed their parents good night and gone to sleep right away, like all good boys do .... As if."
"Boney and his uncle peeked at each other in fear. At least when they knew what was coming they could prepare themselves for the shock."
"Little green men. I hate those guys."
"Actually, they're grey," Sam quietly corrected him."
Who should/shouldn't read
* Perfect for the oddball boy/girl who feel a little different
* Nerdy adults will enjoy and get a kick out of the characters
4 Dewey's
I received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review
July 20, 2011
I really enjoyed this story - the suspense as the kids tried to solve the mystery of the clones was fantastic and the resolution was pleasurably unexpected. A fine sequel.
May 8, 2012
I gave up on this one.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews