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Sven Carter #1
Sven Carter & the Trashmouth Effect
Sven Carter—part boy, part robot—is on a mission to save himself from destroying the human race in this fun and funny MAX novel!
Ever since Sven Carter was caught eating a moldy blueberry muffin under the gym bleachers, earning himself the nickname “Trashmouth,” he’s been his school’s biggest outcast.
But he soon discovers that having a lame nickname is the least of his worries. After a horrible wipeout involving a bike, a ramp, and a chocolate-anchovy-garlic-mint wedding cake (don’t ask), his left arm just…well, it falls off. But before Sven can even remove the stray anchovy from his nostril, his arm drags itself across the pavement and reattaches itself to his shoulder!
That’s when Sven learns he’s not a kid at all, but a “Tick”—a high-tech synthetic humanoid created as part of an elaborate plot to destroy the human race. Now Sven, his best friend Will, and his tough-as-nails classmate Alicia must face down a host of horrors—killer clown-snakes, a giant Chihuahua, the stomach-churning Barf Bus, murderous roast chickens, and even Sven’s own brain—to save humanity from permanent extinction.
Ever since Sven Carter was caught eating a moldy blueberry muffin under the gym bleachers, earning himself the nickname “Trashmouth,” he’s been his school’s biggest outcast.
But he soon discovers that having a lame nickname is the least of his worries. After a horrible wipeout involving a bike, a ramp, and a chocolate-anchovy-garlic-mint wedding cake (don’t ask), his left arm just…well, it falls off. But before Sven can even remove the stray anchovy from his nostril, his arm drags itself across the pavement and reattaches itself to his shoulder!
That’s when Sven learns he’s not a kid at all, but a “Tick”—a high-tech synthetic humanoid created as part of an elaborate plot to destroy the human race. Now Sven, his best friend Will, and his tough-as-nails classmate Alicia must face down a host of horrors—killer clown-snakes, a giant Chihuahua, the stomach-churning Barf Bus, murderous roast chickens, and even Sven’s own brain—to save humanity from permanent extinction.
- GenresMiddle Grade
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2017
4 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Rob Vlock
12 books11 followersRob Vlock writes fun, funny, fast-paced kids’ books that are perfect for reluctant readers. When he’s not writing, you can usually find him somewhere in the greater Boston area trying to make his trumpet sound like something other than a dying goose. It’s a work in progress.
Rob's first kids' book, SVEN CARTER AND THE TRASHMOUTH EFFECT (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster) comes out October 3, 2017. And look for Sven and his friends to return for book #2 in Fall 2018.
And, if you're really a glutton for punishment, you can find some of Rob's inane ramblings at www.robvlock.com.
Rob's first kids' book, SVEN CARTER AND THE TRASHMOUTH EFFECT (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster) comes out October 3, 2017. And look for Sven and his friends to return for book #2 in Fall 2018.
And, if you're really a glutton for punishment, you can find some of Rob's inane ramblings at www.robvlock.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 23, 2017
Oh, how I hope this has a sequel! I loved Sven Carter and I especially loved the dozens of laugh-out-loud moments. I knew I was going to enjoy Rob's debut after reading the blurb, but I had no idea that I'd love it THIS much. Kudos to the pacing here as well . . . I never once considered putting the book down.
June 13, 2017
This was a story I never would have imagined I would enjoy, but holy sci-fi! I fell in love from the first chapter. Rob is the KING of cliffhangers of every.single.chapter. Sven, Will, and Alicia are the characters that students are going to cling to in the classroom. Sven's adventures of trying to avoid killing off the entire human species are perfectly designed and written so well that I felt like I was right there with them. I just can't wait to put this book in my classroom library. Looking forward to many more adventures of Sven!
October 13, 2017
Rob Vlock is a madman. Fortunately for us all, he's decided to channel his madness into writing novels. SVEN CARTER & THE TRASHMOUTH EFFECT is a 365 page thrill ride, and the action only ever stops for moments of laugh-out-loud hilarity. As if that weren't good enough, the narrative voice is spot-on, the characters pop off the page, the dialogue is smart and snappy, and the plot is endlessly inventive. Readers -- young or old, reluctant or eager -- will be beyond entertained by Sven and the zany chaos that surrounds him, and by the book's end, will most likely find themselves desperate for the next installment.
January 6, 2018
I was sucked in at chapter one and didn’t take a break until I was 100 pages in, which tells you how much fun/how thrilling this book is! Sven Carter is one of the most lovable and unique characters in kidlit, and this book is one of the funniest, most cleverest books I’ve read in a long time. Evil robots, saving the world, wedgies... what more could I reader want? I can’t wait for the sequel! In the meantime, I’m watching my back. You never know when Brandon Matjs might show up!
October 26, 2017
I love this book! If you've ever wondered what would happen if the Terminator and the Manchurian Candidate had a hilarious teenage son, Sven Carter is the answer. When a BMX stunt goes wrong, Sven finds out he's a robot designed to infiltrate the human race, and destroy it. He and his friends (one of whom wants to kill him before he can do the dastardly deed) race against time to figure out how to stop him. But how can Sven stop himself from destroying the world if he can't even stop himself from licking anything disgusting within reach. This is the kind of book that will turn a reluctant reader into an avid one. I can't wait for the sequel.
September 28, 2017
This is such a fun book! My kids (10 and 13) loved it, and I laughed out loud many times at the author’s hilarious, disarming turns of phrase. The brisk pace, the cliffhanger chapter endings and the sheer inventiveness of the lethal foes sent to stop Sven, Alicia, and Will in their quest all make the book a page-turner. The “surprisingly agile” killer roast chickens are my favorite!
It’s a great twist that it’s the human Alicia who is the almost infallibly ruthless, canny fighter, while the engineered Sven is left grappling with very human emotions when he finds out the truth about his identity and the disturbing role he’s been created to play. The ebb and flow of suspicion and empathy between the two as their friendship grows is great. The momentum just doesn’t let up as the story speeds to its ingenious conclusion.
It’s a great twist that it’s the human Alicia who is the almost infallibly ruthless, canny fighter, while the engineered Sven is left grappling with very human emotions when he finds out the truth about his identity and the disturbing role he’s been created to play. The ebb and flow of suspicion and empathy between the two as their friendship grows is great. The momentum just doesn’t let up as the story speeds to its ingenious conclusion.
June 15, 2019
What it’s about: Sixth grader Sven is trying to create an extreme video when he has an accident and his arm comes off. But then it comes back to him and reattaches itself, leaving Sven wondering what the heck is going on. His troubles are compounded when the mysterious new girl at school drags him into a secret war between humans and robots. But all is not as it seems in Sven’s world, as he quickly finds out! As he works to unravel the mysteries - and stay alive - maybe he’ll even discover why he likes to eat garbage (a trait that earned him the nickname “Trashmouth” at school).
What I thought: I feel badly as I'm choosing a star rating and writing this review, because I've met Rob Vlock, and he seems like a really great guy. But if I'm being honest, I found this book a bit disturbing. There’s a lot of gross-out details that, frankly, grossed me out. The writing seems to vacillate between being adult-gritty and kid-goofy. And there are references scattered throughout that I fell no actual sixth grader would get - references to songs and movies that I totally got, which suggests they would go right over the head of a 35-years-younger audience.
One thing that came up over and over was stabbing with knives. While the things being stabbed were ostensibly robots, they were supposed to be so life-like as to be indistinguishable from humans. That combination didn't sit well with me. Also the violence of the stabbing - there are times when a character repeatedly plunges a knife into a foe. That seems a bit intense for a sixth grade book.
Why I rated it like I did: I was uncomfortable multiple times while making my way through this book. It might have intense appeal for the middle grade set; but it didn’t work for me. As a reader who enjoyed Stephen King in later middle and high school, I suppose I can see this being a sort of warm-up for that more intense sort of story telling. As a teacher, I would feel a bit conflicted about putting this book in the hands of some students.
What I thought: I feel badly as I'm choosing a star rating and writing this review, because I've met Rob Vlock, and he seems like a really great guy. But if I'm being honest, I found this book a bit disturbing. There’s a lot of gross-out details that, frankly, grossed me out. The writing seems to vacillate between being adult-gritty and kid-goofy. And there are references scattered throughout that I fell no actual sixth grader would get - references to songs and movies that I totally got, which suggests they would go right over the head of a 35-years-younger audience.
One thing that came up over and over was stabbing with knives. While the things being stabbed were ostensibly robots, they were supposed to be so life-like as to be indistinguishable from humans. That combination didn't sit well with me. Also the violence of the stabbing - there are times when a character repeatedly plunges a knife into a foe. That seems a bit intense for a sixth grade book.
Why I rated it like I did: I was uncomfortable multiple times while making my way through this book. It might have intense appeal for the middle grade set; but it didn’t work for me. As a reader who enjoyed Stephen King in later middle and high school, I suppose I can see this being a sort of warm-up for that more intense sort of story telling. As a teacher, I would feel a bit conflicted about putting this book in the hands of some students.
August 24, 2017
There are just not enough books out there which will get young readers turning the pages, so I was shocked when my son could not put it down. Sven Carter is a great character, unique in a sci-fi kind of way but essentially struggling with himself to make the world a better place, that is to say not destroying mankind. Metaphor anyone? I especially enjoyed the interplay of the three characters, Sven, Alicia and Will, which quietly emphasizes the importance of teamwork without being heavy handed about it. Action and adventure with a message and a heart. Oh and a sense of humor. Looking forward to the next installment.
August 12, 2017
I loved this middle grade sci-fi adventure! This book is well written, funny, exciting, and such a great voice! It grabbed me from page 1 and kept my turning those pages until the very end. The premise is so unique (Sven must save the world from himself!) and the entire cast of characters – especially Will and Alicia – are fabulous. I highly recommend it!
August 20, 2017
Fun and Rewarding, But Not Bug Free
I had problems with this book early on, but as I kept reading I realized that the things I didn't like probably wouldn't faze a middle grader, and the really good parts would probably delight that same reader. So, on balance, and as the book progressed, I warmed up more and more.
First, the setup, (which doesn't spoil anything beyond what the blurb does). Sven is part human and part robot. He realizes that he's central to some plot to wipe out humanity, and so he has to figure out exactly what he is, where he came from, what he's programmed to do, and how to stop himself. His best human pal, Will, and a new girl, Alicia, (who assassinates robots), make up his companions on this quest. It's like "Manchurian Candidate", with more fart jokes.
And that's the problem. On the downside, there are lots of bits that are very, very tired. Not implausible, mind you. Implausible is fine, and actually is what keeps the story going. I mean tired. Dad is disappointed Sven isn't sporty. Mom is a bad cook. Sven is always eating trash and garbage, which makes him the school weirdo. There's a psycho bully who only picks on Sven. Will is occasionally OCD when the plot can benefit from that. Boogers. Butt jokes. It all seemed a bit by the numbers, and detracted from the really cool parts, of which there are many. But as I say, probably middle graders will just breeze by this as the price of admission.
On the upside, (which is very high), our author starts with a bit of mystery about what the story is with Sven, but doesn't drag it out. Alicia finds Sven and does a couple of long monologues that clue him in, and clue us in, to what he is, why he's dangerous, what the deal is between robots and humans, and who the villains are. That sets up the adventure/mystery/quest thriller, and from that point it's all manic mayhem and killer clowns as we race against the Armageddon clock. And once we get to that point, the book takes off. Vlock can juggle antic villains, crazy situations, frantic action scenes, funny one-liners, Terminator style deadpan lines, and plot complications like a pro. He can also meld all of this with Sven growing up and getting to know himself, Alicia coming to grips with her mixed feelings about Sven, and Will growing his self-confidence. Holy cow, how did we fit in positive coming of age messages? Turns out that Vlock knows how to play the robot/human angle to tease out the humanity in each kid. Wow.
What pushed me over the edge, (positively), was the ending. SPOILER-ISH: Of all things, it's a little Matrix-y, except I understood it. Somehow we get from boogers at the beginning to the intersection of software, hardware and wetware. Again, Wow. And did I mention that every now and then it's pretty funny in a deadpan, screwball sort of way?
So, I'm glad I persevered. I'm also glad I went with my inner middle grader here. This is a pretty intriguing choice.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
I had problems with this book early on, but as I kept reading I realized that the things I didn't like probably wouldn't faze a middle grader, and the really good parts would probably delight that same reader. So, on balance, and as the book progressed, I warmed up more and more.
First, the setup, (which doesn't spoil anything beyond what the blurb does). Sven is part human and part robot. He realizes that he's central to some plot to wipe out humanity, and so he has to figure out exactly what he is, where he came from, what he's programmed to do, and how to stop himself. His best human pal, Will, and a new girl, Alicia, (who assassinates robots), make up his companions on this quest. It's like "Manchurian Candidate", with more fart jokes.
And that's the problem. On the downside, there are lots of bits that are very, very tired. Not implausible, mind you. Implausible is fine, and actually is what keeps the story going. I mean tired. Dad is disappointed Sven isn't sporty. Mom is a bad cook. Sven is always eating trash and garbage, which makes him the school weirdo. There's a psycho bully who only picks on Sven. Will is occasionally OCD when the plot can benefit from that. Boogers. Butt jokes. It all seemed a bit by the numbers, and detracted from the really cool parts, of which there are many. But as I say, probably middle graders will just breeze by this as the price of admission.
On the upside, (which is very high), our author starts with a bit of mystery about what the story is with Sven, but doesn't drag it out. Alicia finds Sven and does a couple of long monologues that clue him in, and clue us in, to what he is, why he's dangerous, what the deal is between robots and humans, and who the villains are. That sets up the adventure/mystery/quest thriller, and from that point it's all manic mayhem and killer clowns as we race against the Armageddon clock. And once we get to that point, the book takes off. Vlock can juggle antic villains, crazy situations, frantic action scenes, funny one-liners, Terminator style deadpan lines, and plot complications like a pro. He can also meld all of this with Sven growing up and getting to know himself, Alicia coming to grips with her mixed feelings about Sven, and Will growing his self-confidence. Holy cow, how did we fit in positive coming of age messages? Turns out that Vlock knows how to play the robot/human angle to tease out the humanity in each kid. Wow.
What pushed me over the edge, (positively), was the ending. SPOILER-ISH: Of all things, it's a little Matrix-y, except I understood it. Somehow we get from boogers at the beginning to the intersection of software, hardware and wetware. Again, Wow. And did I mention that every now and then it's pretty funny in a deadpan, screwball sort of way?
So, I'm glad I persevered. I'm also glad I went with my inner middle grader here. This is a pretty intriguing choice.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
January 26, 2018
Laugh out loud funny! Half the time I kept thinking, you can’t put that in a middle grade book, can you? And the answer was always a resounding yes, apparently you can. There’s a lot of gross out humor in here, and what’s really smart about it is that all of it is completely tied into the plot! Sven and Alicia are great characters with real chemistry. Clown snakes will forever be burned into my mind. Plus I thought I was the only person to ever write about a reanimated roast chicken. But not so! I knew this was going to be something special when my 8 year old daughter kept begging me to read more. We read the first 50 pages together in one sitting. I particularly enjoyed voicing the creepy Dr.Shallix, yes? Looking forward to the next one and the Justin Bieber Tick! Haha.
January 30, 2018
Not too many middle-school kids eat moldy blueberry muffins—or lick gray sludge from the janitor’s bucket, or munch eggshells and old tissues from the garbage can. And not too many kids have bike accidents in which they sever an arm, only to have it grow back again. But Sven Carter, the 12-year-old protagonist of Rob Vlock’s rip-roaringly funny debut novel, SVEN CARTER & THE TRASHMOUTH EFFECT, is not your average 12-year-old. In fact, Sven is not a kid at all. He’s a “Tick,” a high-tech cyborg who’s been created, with the help of evil pediatrician Dr. Shallix, to wipe out mankind. The problem is, Sven wouldn’t hurt a fly—even if he might eat one. Perfectly crafted, with a fantastical, fast-paced plot, SVEN CARTER will delight (and marvelously gross out) middle-grade readers!
February 1, 2019
Really funny and engaging book
I really enjoyed this book. Its humor reminded me of the type of humor in Gary Paulsen’s “Masters of Disaster”. I really enjoyed that the strongest, most powerful character is a girl. I also loved that Will’s OCD wasn’t a huge deal. It was just a quirk of one of the characters. This adventure book would definitely resonate with most middle grade readers, especially those who aren’t part of the “in crowd.” The story was fast paced, with well-placed cliffhangers at all the right places. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel! This one is going to be on my recommended book lists for my students.
I really enjoyed this book. Its humor reminded me of the type of humor in Gary Paulsen’s “Masters of Disaster”. I really enjoyed that the strongest, most powerful character is a girl. I also loved that Will’s OCD wasn’t a huge deal. It was just a quirk of one of the characters. This adventure book would definitely resonate with most middle grade readers, especially those who aren’t part of the “in crowd.” The story was fast paced, with well-placed cliffhangers at all the right places. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel! This one is going to be on my recommended book lists for my students.
March 1, 2019
Yes, Sven Carter & The Trashmouth Effect is a book about a 12-year-old who discovers he's a robot. Yes, it's hilarious and wild, raising the stakes every chapter. Yes, it's full of ridiculous, unbelievable robots. But it's so much more than that! At its heart, this is a book about how humanity isn't something you have, but something you choose. Whether you're a robot or a human, you can choose humanity by choosing to care, love, and act in the interests of those around you.
Also, it features a robot with a face for a butt.
Also, it features a robot with a face for a butt.
November 5, 2018
This story is a clever, funny, and wildly imaginative ride, as we meet young Sven and watch him grapple with a major identity crisis (he's not exactly, er, human, and it's looking like the world is out to get him). His friends Alicia and Will are perfect foils. The action unfolds with preposterous hilarity. I kept having the feeling that if Kurt Vonnegut had ever decided to write whimsically for kids, the result would be not unlike Rob Vlock. Don't miss! It's SO MUCH FUN.
June 26, 2018
After reading the first chapter, in which the protagonist's arm literally falls off after he crashes doing a bike trick, I was hooked. Little did I know this book would take me down a path of robots, morphed creatures, and danger lurking around every corner. Full of humor, adventure, and an evil doctor, this book is one that is a must-have in every elementary classroom and library.
January 21, 2018
Laugh out loud funny!!! Sven Carter and the Trashmouth Effect is a hysterical book that kids will just eat up (and many adults will devour). Those who “hate reading” will find themselves completely sucked into the quickly moving plot and surprising twists and turns. I’m excited for the sequel!
March 2, 2022
A blast!
This book was so much fun to read as an adult! The author's sense of humor snuggled right up next to my appreciation for wry wit and outlandish situations. Great characters! Gosh, I bet a kid would enjoy this book even more than I did!!!
This book was so much fun to read as an adult! The author's sense of humor snuggled right up next to my appreciation for wry wit and outlandish situations. Great characters! Gosh, I bet a kid would enjoy this book even more than I did!!!
January 27, 2018
The book was awesome and hilarious. It had a few twists that I wasn’t expecting. But, at the end it was just a big relief. I can’t wait to read the next book!
February 19, 2018
Hysterical. This book is action packed and insanely funny. I thoroughly enjoyed! I highly recommend. So clever. We can't wait for the sequel!
August 4, 2018
Weird, funny and fast-paced. It will be a great addition to my classroom library. I really liked Sven- great protagonist.
August 10, 2018
Super fun MG that gets it just right. Looking forward to the sequel!
June 1, 2020
love it
October 29, 2017
This is a fun, middle grade sci-fi novel that will appeal to many students who enjoy laugh out loud humor. I’m excited to add this to our school library.
November 14, 2017
Fabulously entertaining. My kids (and I, for that matter) enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews