Astronaut Academy: Re-entry

Astronaut Academy #2

by Dave Roman

The wild and wacky world of Astronaut Academy is back! It's spring semester at this futuristic institution of learning, and Hakata Soy has lost his heart. Literally. And he's not the only one . . . something  is stalking the halls of Astronaut Academy, impersonating the crush-objects of students and making off with their extra hearts!  With a sprawling cast of unforgettable characters, Astronaut Academy Re-Entry is a high-octane, hilarious follow-up to Dave Roman's quirky Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Childrens, Science Fiction, Humor, Middle Grade, Young Adult

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2013

About the author

Dave Roman is the author of several graphic novels including Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity, Teen Boat!, Jax Epoch, and Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery. He has contributed stories to Explorer: The Mystery Boxes, Nursery Rhyme Comics, and is the co-author of two New York Times bestselling graphic novels, X-Men: Misfits and The Last Airbender: Zuko’s Story. Roman is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and worked as a comics editor for the groundbreaking Nickelodeon Magazine from 1998 to 2009. He lives in Astoria, NY with his wife, and fellow comic artist, Raina Telgemeier.

Dave has had stories in Flight volumes 3, 4, 5, & 7 (Villard) and Bizarro World (DC Comics). His website is Yaytime.com

Reviews

[First Second Books]

Here's something you should know about this book: the cover is shiny. Like, really, really shiny. You can't tell in the picture, but it's actually gold! foil! So that's pretty exciting for us.

The thing that Dave Roman's Astronaut Academy series reminds me the most of is Louis Sachar's Wayside School books. They're all about a crazy group of kids -- who are in a school -- and have mysterious, funny, fascinating adventures and interactions.

No one makes student-flavored ice cream in these books, but instead we've got Team Feety Pajamas (plus the bear, their mascot) and the Fashion Spelling Bee instead. They are just as good, I swear! You won't miss the ice cream at all.

[Jose Brox · Rating 2 out of 5]

El primer volumen era un compendio de historias casi inconexas. En este, en cambio, el autor desarrolla (y concluye) una trama principal en torno a la idea más original del primer volumen (el intercambio de corazones), pero no es demasiado interesante, y el humor empeora notablemente en este volumen. Si el primero no te gustó demasiado, no pierdas el tiempo con éste.

[Carla A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am clearly not the intended audience for this book. I think the story is kind of sweet but it just goes on forever and I wished it would cut to the chase. I am sure it will be beloved but not by me.

[Bria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love you, but I'm not IN love with you. I love the vastness of SPACE ITSELF.

[Terry Cross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dave Roman provides a sporadic read with the adventures of Hakata Soy in Astronaut Academy: Re-Entry. The character Hakata Soy returns for Spring semester to the fictitious space station that trains pre-teens, or tweenies, to become future astronauts. The space station would seem to be under attack by a shape shifting heart eating creature that fools its victims by disguising itself as the victim's secret crush.

None of the victims die necessarily since all the characters seem to have more than one heart. But the victims do lack energy and tend to under-perform. Such is the case with Hakata's roommate Tak Offsky who is the MVP on the academy's fireball team (the Chibi Sesame Seeds). Tak Offsky's secret crush on fellow teammate Thalia Thistle leaves him vulnerable to the attack of the heart eating shape shifter who consumes one of his hearts, leaving him unable to play on the fireball team, and so he trains Hakata to replace him. Hakata's success on the fireball team leads to a deeper relationship with Thalia Thistle setting up a love triangle between the characters that makes for strained and awkward relationships.

With each character introduced in the book, comes a different chapter introducing new subplots and a variety of backstories that seem to get more and more wacky. Hakata has several backstories including the disappearance of his parents due to an experiment gone wrong which some how allows them to make brief appearances in his life. Then there is the story of his girlfriend who dumped him for his arch rival.

The wackiness of all of these stories make their way into the finale with the final fireball tournament and a showdown with the heart eating monster. All of the drama and confused uncertainty that pre-pubescent teens experience seem to be puked out onto the pages of this graphic novel, and overall read like a distorted "Hogwarts" in space with a lead character mystified by the loss of his parents, who gains a new found celebrity participating in a bizarre sporting event.

If all of this reminds you of the Harry Potter saga it is because stories such as this appear as complex and confused wacky graphic novel stories by taking their narrative energy from spoofing popular works that become so familiar an audience can develop that enjoys seeing the popular mainstreamed tale being made fun of.

Students from grade 6 and upward would probably find this story entertaining the more they get the jokes, and may become more intrigued as the story thickens just to get in on more of the jokes.
As an adult who only knows about Harry Potter from watching films (only some of them), I was able to pick up on the origins of enough of the story elements to not be overwhelmed by the story's aimless nonsense that seems never ending.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is technically my third read-through, but I couldn't tell you a specific date for the others. Also, one was for the colour version, which is a significant improvement, honestly. It's much easier to tell the (human) characters apart with colour than without. Why re-reading this version, then? It's what I found at a used bookstore with the goal of finding "books I know I've read and reviewed or somehow haven't reviewed" that I could relatively quickly turn around and donate to little libraries (especially ones by elementary/middle schools).

It's a fun read, though a bit weird for newcomers, since the Astronaut Academy universe features characteristics like people having Life Meters and ACTUALLY giving away their hearts (though they can get more). This volume in specific deals with the VERY negative consequences of that in the form of a shapeshifting monster eating all the hearts everyone has to give and the very POSITIVE effects of forgiveness generating new hearts... which can be force-fed to a heart-eating monster to make it LITERALLY EXPLODE.

What can I say? Classic Dave Roman, haha.

This is great for young readers who have at least read the first book, I don't know if I could recommend it by itself. Even though it will be by itself in the free library where I donate it. Oops.

[Jeremie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was really good it was well written and in my opinion, I suggest this to anyone who likes comic action and the sport called fireball this book is very well transitioned from the first one it gives a bit of background on the last book then start an adventure for the main character hakota soy. These to books are about a boy who goes to space academy but it is just like a normal school except for one class learning how to float in space

[Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book but it left me with the impression that it needed a continuing story.
So,Please writer make Austronaut Academy N3. :D

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preferred to the last one. I think the sarcasm would appeal to lots of young readers. 3-6th grades

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the first book.

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another super-fun book. I once again really enjoyed how each little story, told from a different kid's perspective, interconnects to the next. This one especially felt interconnected, even more like we were seeing a complete story arc, just from different angles.

I liked this one even more than the first one, maybe because I know the characters better and appreciate seeing their deeper connections. This is such a great book for kids because it emphasizes the importance of forgiving people and being open with your heart, without being condescending and self-important about it. I love that Hakata and Thalia end up liking each other because they felt comfortable enough around each other to share their stories, and found a connection. I love that Tak, even though he was sad and jealous, because he liked Thalia first, found it in his heart to forgive them, because he appreciated their friendship. It was also nice to see that the "evil villain" birds didn't necessarily start out that way, and acted the way they did for a legitimate reason. Nothing is ever black and white, or all good or all evil. Also, those security bears were about the cutest thing ever. "So definitely BFF and not OTP?" Lol.

I just wish there were going to be more volumes of this, but I kinda got the feeling at the end that there wouldn't be. But I could be wrong! I hope I'm wrong! I'm gonna cross my fingers and go ask the internet. :)

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Second, 2013
Graphic Novel: Science Fiction
190 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6

Students at Astronaut Academy are at risk of losing their hearts to a monster disguised to be the object of their hearts' desire. So, to protect the hearts of the students, falling in love is banned. There is a lot of loving and losing in this story, which is funny considering the book appears to be geared towards young boy readers...not sure if they care about falling in love yet.

Things I appreciates: Roman is a fellow child of the 80s, so there are some 80s & 90s shout-outs in the drawings. Nintendo's Mario Brothers influences in various scenes, toilet paper called Bum Equipment (remember that brand?!), haha.

And a rather funny line from the principal on pg. 136 when students are asking whether the upcoming sporting event will be cancelled like all other student events:
"No, no, of course not. There's a long tradition of double standards when it comes to sports!"

I would recommend reading this after the first Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity before reading the sequel. Like in the first installment, this story bounces around between the various characters that are found at the academy. I am not a fan of how the stories jump around to so many characters, I never really felt connected to any of them. By the end of the story I was just plain bored.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think a sequel could be as good as Roman's first Astronaut Academy graphic novel, ASTRONAUT ACADEMY: ZERO GRAVITY, which I found a lovely and hilarious book for young readers and a great starter book for readers interested in the graphic novel genre. However, ASTRONAUT ACADEMY: RE-ENTRY continues the experience of a fun and wholesome graphic novel geared to kids, complete with references to video games, anime, and sci-fi. And Roman has introduced my favorite characters in the Astronaut Academy universe yet: the Safety Bears! :)

I also enjoyed the overall message of the book, which comments on the supposed limitations of giving away too many hearts for fear of depleting your "health-bar", and the strength of friendship and forgiveness over the focus of banning love at school. I thought it was a great lesson to teach to kids. And Doug Hiro is one of the true heroes of the hour -- I knew there was more to him than his simple love for space!

I'm not sure if Roman plans to have any more adventures for Hakata Soy, Miyumi-San, Doug Hiro, and the rest of the adorable cast of characters, but this super-shiny gold foil covered book has a place of honor right next to its silver foil companion on my bookshelf.

[Dani Shuping · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second volume in the Astronaut Academy series, and Hakata Soy and gang are back for more fun and adventure in this Spring semester. There’s a new trouble brewing in the school as someone...or something is stalking the halls of the academy, impersonating other students, and making of with their extra hearts! Will the students be able to survive and recover their extra hearts...or are they doomed to only have one.

This book was definitely easier for me to read than the first one as there was an overarching theme of a mysterious and deadly (well maybe not deadly) fiend on the loose stealing hearts from kids! Even though we switched viewpoints every few pages, the overall arching theme made it easy to keep up and I loved that we got to check back in with old friends (and learn more about Hakata in the process!) The storytelling and the artwork both remind me of the cartoon “Kids Next Door,” which is the one of the best compliments I can give to the story since I loved that cartoon.

It's a romping good adventure if you're the right age (or have the right mindset) and I'd highly recommend it.

ARC provided by NetGalley

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Astronaut Academy series, graphic novel, 4th or 5th grade and up.

Hakata Soy, ex-super hero, is back at school after semester break. So, unfortunately, is a monster who shifts his appearance to look like various students' love interests and then steals and literally eats their hearts. (As each student has several hearts, this is serious but not fatal.) The administration has forbidden any love interests at all but has not managed to catch the monster. Hakata and friends try it their way.

In the meantime Hakata is now on the Fireball team (a sort of lacrosse with balls of fire) and they're up against their archrivals in P.S. Gamma Q. Who will be the champions?

Interesting presentation. The chapters are presented in various students' voices but the story moves along very smoothly. Good graphics and interesting approach to the story itself, with lots of action but lots of teamwork as well. The various characters, in very sparse language, each have their own personas.

[Dolly · Rating 2 out of 5]

We really got into reading graphic novels this last summer, and it seemed that every one that I reviewed here led me to another series or individual novel. It really has been fun reading them along with our girls and comparing our favorites.

Unfortunately, this series was not one of them. I borrowed Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity along with this book because they'd been highly recommended.

I really had a hard time getting into both stories (although the first book flows into the other, similar to the Jedi Academy books by Jeffrey Brown). I did appreciate some of his wit, but for the most part I was bored.

I never felt any real connection to the characters and even though I finally understood what was going on with the plot, it really just didn't grab me.

Meh.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something sinister is happening at Astronaut Academy, when a student gives his or her heart, or hearts, to his or her beloved, the recipient turns into a monstrous parody of him- or herself and ruthlessly devours the heart of the giver, and not only that the big fireball tournament is heating up with arch-rival Public School Gamma Quadrant and deep between the shelves of the library evil Team Feety Pajamas is plotting terroristic mischief!

It’s another laugh out loud semester of seriously silly funny business and madcap mix-ups at Astronaut Academy.

[William Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astronaut Academy Re-entry was an interesting book, because it is based on a school that takes place in outer space. This book is mainly about love, but it is not a romance story. In this book, the school that the characters go to is infiltrated by a mysterious monster that wants you to fall in love with it and give it one of your hearts. So, because of this monster love is banned in the school and the students have to find a way to get it back. I gave this book five stars because it was funny but was also just a good book in general.

[Jennifer Bacall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the bubbly illustrations, the character stories, and the overall setting but found the flow of the story to have stops and starts. There are plenty of pop culture references: Sweeney Todd, Kiss, THX 1138 (George Lucas' first film) and I'm sure that there are others that I've missed. With lots of laughs, pictures that beg to be viewed more than once and some insightful moments peppered in, this is an enjoyable read.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most sequels, I didn't like it as well as the first Astronaut Academy book. For those that loved the first book, this one has a similar format with characters being introduced and then telling their part of the story. When these first person accounts are all put together they tell the story of the missing hearts and how it's effecting the students of Astronaut Academy. I think the story is a tad silly but still entertaining. C rating.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as much as the first book - it keeps the same humor, but I liked that it delved more into the first book's idea of giving your heart(s) away. It takes on both a sci-fi, romantic and metaphorical case here and it was wrapped up with a sweet message. There's also a small nod to the LGBT community, and while it is pretty small, it's something that you kind of wouldn't expect to see here and I appreciated it.

[Karen Hsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second read: Read again with 9yo and 5yo. They still love it. It was a little easier to keep track of the characters, but probably because we were familiar with the GN this time around.

Read with 7yo and 4yo.
The concept was cute, but I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters. The kids liked it a lot. They liked the heart-eating monster the best and were warning me ahead of time that "she is bad!" which was fun.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole. It'a a collection of shorter stories and was easy to read in between reading other books. I can see this as a tv series on cartoon network, with the shorter stories of the different characters and the longer story line of Hakata Soy. Not to mention the artwork is adorable. I love the ending of this one.

[Anoush · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the next semester at the Astronaut Academy a monster is running loose, imitating students and eating hearts.

With a bit more plot than the previous book, this volume is full of the same silly dialogue and fun characters. It's an enjoyably pointless book. I love the hearts and the ability to give them away or grow a new one with forgiveness .

[Brian McLachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first Astronaut Academy book was really solid, but book two expands the story into amazing, wholly fulfilling ways. Roman uses his world's video game logic to create a deeper story about love, control, friendship, forgiveness all while keeping it light, entertaining and super fun. Fantastic stuff!

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book, but Dave Roman pours his love of comics and the different genres from which he pulls his creative energy onto every page. Maybe I'm just too old, definitely a book for a younger ADHD generation :)

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hakata Soy must deal with the fact that his arch-rival Rick Raven, leader of the evil Gotcha Birds, is now dating Princess Boots. Hakata has literally lost his heart, but he won’t give up hope. My students adore this zany mix of science fiction and manga, with lots of action and plenty of heart.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is such a blast. It is silly and wacky, but it boasts such a diverse cast of characters, that every reader can find themselves here-even if they are a ninja bunny. Visually, there are a wealth of fun little Easter eggs that make this a book you'd like to reread. Fun!

[Kai Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this book, it's maybe one of my favorites! The art is very good and the story connects well to the previous book in this series. I would definitely not recommend it to someone over 13 unless they like sophomoric humor.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first. Still more for older children, maybe even young adults. I liked the heart monsters and many characters really developed nicely in this one. Read it on my son's very strong recommendation!