What Came from the Stars in Mock Newbery 2026

Mar 27, 2013 Elizabeth K. rated it liked it

Shelves: 2013-new-reads

This is a perfectly fine book, but it could have been a much better book had someone consulted with me first.

I love Gary Schmidt, and was excited when I heard he was doing a science fiction book in 2012. But weirdly, this book is falling short of what a Gary Schmidt science fiction book should be.

It alternates between a send-up of classic science fiction and the daily life of a kid in the sixth grade in Massachusetts. What with long lists of bizarre names and references to epic battles on anoth This is a perfectly fine book, but it could have been a much better book had someone consulted with me first.

I love Gary Schmidt, and was excited when I heard he was doing a science fiction book in 2012. But weirdly, this book is falling short of what a Gary Schmidt science fiction book should be.

It alternates between a send-up of classic science fiction and the daily life of a kid in the sixth grade in Massachusetts. What with long lists of bizarre names and references to epic battles on another planet in another galaxy and weirdly styled artifacts, science and technology that is a mix with magic and arts and crafts -- the science fiction part is a Space Opera dialed up to 11. A relic from this narrative somehow finds its way to earth, where it is found by a sixth grader. When the kid puts on this chain, he suddenly knows all the information from this culture, their history and language and issues.

This should be the set-up for comedy gold, a kid in sixth grade is now a representative of an alien civilization. And I'm basing that on Schmidt's previous books -- he is so awesome at portraying what is hilarious about how middle school kids think and act and talk, and never in a way that undermines the emotional resonance of the things they experience. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why this didn't happen here. The middle school parts are almost entirely played for straight, so there isn't enough contrast between middle school and the saga unfolding over on the alien planet. A little bit of the hilarity creeps in during the final showdown, which makes it even more noticeably missing from the rest of the story. This alien artifact in the hands of Holling Hoodhood would have been a far better way to go.

The other kid characters could have been more fleshed out, especially the girls (usually not an issue with Schmidt so this was surprising to me).

And, it also ended with my Absolutely Least Favorite Way to End A Science Fiction/Fantasy Novel. I mean really, the worst. I hate it every time it happens and cannot think of a single example where it works to make the story better. It always makes the story suck.

I guess after all that I should say why I thought it was okay. It is an interesting premise and the story moves along nicely. The part where the emotional hook is supposed to punch you in the throat? I felt punched in the throat.

But still, this should have been a much better book.

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Oct 01, 2012 Dolores rated it really liked it

So, I've heard that some people are disappointed with this one. I think the first problem is that this is just not meant for the usual Gary Schmidt audience. I kind of considered it two books in one. One of those books DID feel very much like a Gary Schmidt. That was the story of a family that had lost its heart and soul and was learning to cope. Great characters, great heart, great story. All Gary Schmidt trademarks. But there was a parallel story here and that was the one that seemed to give s ...more

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Dec 07, 2012 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, young-adult-fiction, fiction, fantasy, science-fiction

Schmidt weaves together two parallel stories-- on a planet in a distant galaxy, the good guys are about to be overtaken by the bad guys, and right before this happens, Young Waeglim sends "the last of the Art of the Valorim" out into the skies so that the evil Lord Mondus cannot claim it. This Art, in the form of a necklace, hurtles through space, past untold stars and galaxies, until it enters our atmosphere and drops down toward Plymouth, Massachussetts, straight into the lunchbox of 12-year-o ...more

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Jan 26, 2013 LauraW rated it liked it

Shelves: tween, young-adult, abandoned

My jury is still out on this one. I like science fiction and I like this author a lot, but I am not sure if the book will work for me. I like the MC and his family, but the SF connection is a bit dubious for me right now. I haven't given it up yet, though.

I gave up. The library told me it was due and I just didn't feel like finishing. ...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Brenda Kahn rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2013, brothers-and-sisters, grief

I liked it more that the two stars might indicate. I appreciate the experiment but had to switch to reading with my ears in order to get through the biblical cadence of the story of the Valorim. There was much to appreciate in Tommy's side of the story, moments of humor, wry observations of human nature and poignancy. The use of repetition, which was so masterful in earlier books became a bit annoying and I found myself muttering, "Enough already! I get it!" ...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Lisa Nagel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, fantasy

A beautifully crafted tale that alternates between the realistic world of Tommy in Plymouth, MA. and the far away world of the Valorim. Dark lords and faceless O'Mondim, all have a very Tolkien feel, but weave into a tale of honor, bravery and redemption. I really enjoyed this and Schmidt's extraordinary writing. ...more

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