Disney/Pixar Lightyear: The Junior Novelization

by Meredith Rusu

This paperback junior novelization retells the exciting story of Disney and Pixar's upcoming animated feature film Lightyear--in theaters Summer 2022! The Junior Novelization comes with a full-color insert full of scenes form the film!


LIGHTYEAR is a sci-fi action-adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)--the hero who inspired the toy. The film reveals how a young test pilot became the Space Ranger that we all know him to be today. LIGHTYEAR is directed by Angus MacLane, produced by Galyn Susman, and opens in theaters in Summer 2022. The thrilling film is all retold in this digest junior novelization that's perfect for girls and boys ages 6 to 9.

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2022

About the author

Meredith Rusu lives in New Jersey with her husband and two young sons. She is the author of more than one hundred children’s books, notably There’s a Yeti in my Tummy (the first picture book in the Mighty Moods series), Anna, Elsa, and the Enchanting Holiday, Silenzio, Bruno!, and The DATA Set series under the name Ada Hopper. She has also written for many popular licenses including LEGO, Disney/Pixar, Peppa Pig, and Star Wars. When she isn’t writing, Meredith enjoys singing karaoke, spending time with family, and going on the occasional adventure or two.

Reviews

[Adelaide Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished 9/4/23 - I love the Lightyear movie so naturally I loved the novelization. I also love this for the reason I ate up movie novelizations when I was a teen, and that's because a writer will take the film script and rework it so we can get deeper insight into the characters' perspectives. I can't get enough of this version of the Buzz Lightyear character. The flaws the creators gave him in the film fascinate me and it was very lethargic for me to understand him a little better after reading this book.

My only confusion with the novelization is this book never reveals the twist. I don't understand why because I've never read a movie novelization that felt the need to hide a spoiler because it's basically just the film on paper. And I don't think this was published before the film release anyway--the more original novel Izzy Hawthorne: Destiny Awaits (which is the Lightyear film but entirely from Izzy Hawthorne's point of view as well as a character study of her character and how her and Buzz influence each other) is an earlier version of the script with a few minor changes from the film and yet that still kept the twist. My only thought is that the writer, Meredith Rusu, was instructed not to reveal the twist perhaps for marketing reasons??? I don't know it doesn't make sense and it's silly.

I wish the Lightyear film got a better reception because I would have LOVED to see either a whole middle grade book series based on the film or a sequel--or both.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall dynamic of the story is compelling, however it seems like this wasn't a necessary thing. After watching the film though, I dismiss the idea that the book did not do the character justice. I think this context makes Buzz Lightyear a lot more interesting and gives him more depth.

[Noah Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, kids enjoyed it but I didn't think it was the best of the series

[A.J · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It would be a great book to read to your kids for bedtime. I thought it was good, I enjoyed it.

[Sara Weather · Rating 4 out of 5]

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