Bongo Fishing

by Thacher Hurd

Jason has a pretty normal he lives with his mom, he goes to school, he does his homework. But when he meets a short, bluish alien named Sam, his life begins to seem much less normal and a lot more...well, alien. Sam takes Jason bongo fishing in space, and a whole new world opens up. But when Jason's cat, Sputnik, disappears, things start to get a little weird. Interstellar travel isn't just fun and games, after all! Is the evil Dr. Zimburger involved? Or are there even more sinister forces at work?

Genres: Science Fiction, Aliens, Juvenile, Childrens, Middle Grade, Humor

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Thacher grew up in a family of children's book artists, and after attending the California College of Arts and Crafts, he began to turn his talent to picture books. He is the award-winning author of Mama Don't Allow, Art Dog, and most recently Moo Cow Kaboom! He has also written two board books, Cat's Pajamas and Zoom City. Thacher and his wife, Olivia, live in Berkeley, California.

from Author Page

Reviews

[Aj Swaim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bongo fishing is a very interesting book. There are many different intruiging points that draw the reader's attention.

As in most science fiction novels, there is advance technology; however, in this book there are much more practical technologies than in other, more complicated science fiction books. The story follows the adventures of a boy named Jason who typically gets bored in school. One day as Jason was walking home from school, a space ship fell into an empty lot next to him. The man inside is very friendly and not afraid of humans. His friendliness ended in all of the problems in the book. This book has a very wide range of situations in it that everyone can relate to.

You should read this book because it appeals to all kinds of people. Though it seems to be aimed towards children and teens, all can relate to the situations that Jason experienced throughout the book. I think that this book would give you a better understanding of how kids see things. I would strongly advise this book to people my age or younger more than older people because it makes people less afraid of aliens. This book also helps see that if aliens did come, and the government captured them, then it might take away from the world in intergalactic relations.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good kids book for sci-fi. I would recommend 4-7 th grade.

[Childrens Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was great. Thacher Hurd has branched out from picture books and Bongo Fishing is a funny, exciting, entertaining children’s novel. It has a boy, Jason, who had a great adventure with a couple of aliens, Sam and Edna. The setting is Berkley, San Francisco, Nevada and outer space. Berkeley, California, middle-schooler Jason Jameson has a close encounter of the fun kind. The Dodge Dart is driven by a blue-skinned, small alien named Sam who owns an intergalactic garage and took the Dart out for a test run when it malfunctioned and he had to do a hard landing in Berkley. Jason helps him out and Sam invites him to go Bongo fishing. After several funny adventures and Jason gets to meet Sam’s wife Edna they find out that someone is trying to capture Sam and Edna and Jason’s cat gets blue alien measles. Jason’s mom does not believe aliens for some of the messes they make so she takes Jason to Dr. Effrem Zimburger a therapist who specializes in alien encounters. Who is trying to capture Sam and Edna? Dr. Zimburger? The government who operates Area 51? Who is staking out Jason’s home in a black car? To find the answers to this and more read Jason’s story. As Edna says, “Sometimes you just have to go for it.” Gwen Miller, librarian, Pacifica Sharp Park Library

[Shaheer Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book. I read it because it was recommended by a friend. I really like how they mixed different cars with science fiction. It had a lot of action but it was kind of confusing. I like this author. He mixes different things and makes a good book. He has interesting ideas about how he would think of alien life. Not green aliens with three eyes. He thinks of normal aliens that look just like humans but have a skin color with a shade of blue. He doesn't make futuristic space ships. He makes normal cars with a special engine that can fly through space. I like how in the book there is a normal kid

[Christian Goetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this book, then I went to another book. This book is a good book; it's about a alien and a guy named Jason. Jason was walking home from school when he heard a loud music. Then a 1969 Dodge Dart came down the steet and fell into a lot. An alien popped out and said hi I'm Sam. So the next day, they go bongo fishing in the outerspace. When they get there, they feed the fish glazed dougnuts. Then all the fish jmp up in the air and dance. After they're done with that thy go home and everything gos back to normal...

I would recommend this book to people that like unrealistic books.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun & quirky book by Thacher Hurd (wonderful picture book author/illustrator of Mama Don't Allow.) Hurd's illustrations add to the humor of the story. Some reviewers describe Bongo Fishing as Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for middle school students. I have to say that I was first attracted to read the book by three things: 1) title 2)cover art and 3)author. A good one for our middle school boys.

[J.k. Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book -- kind of like a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for kids! Hurd's humor is dead-on for the middle-grade reader. His quirky imagination spins a sweet story of how you can make family anywhere -- even out of space with aliens! For parents or teachers searching for a book to appeal to boys, this is it.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strange, fast boys would like it science fiction book about a boy who meets an alien named Sam on the way from from school. Sam takes Jason for a ride in his 1960 Dodge Dart space ship. Darts are the best ride according to Sam. Eventually, Sam intoduces Jason to his wife and the three end up having an adventure running from alien hunters. This is a fun, easy read.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bongo Fishing is a delightful read - full of heart and adventure. The characters are well-drawn and it is pleasant to know that Mr. Hurd's writing skills are as honed as his drawing skills. This is Hitchhiker's Guide for the elementary school set only without the whole world blwong up part.

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not working for me. May have something to do with the fact that where I'll put up with whimsical fantasy and even enjoy it to some degree, I have little patience for whimisical SF. I need my aliens to be . . . alien. Might appeal to someone else, but I'm just going to be annoyed if I continue.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade 3-5

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first science fiction book I have read. It was a good book. Fun to follow the plot, good character development and interesting story.

[Lakendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was cute in an E.T. sort of way.