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Summary: Fleegix, karma, parallel worlds, and tough school life.
Review: What more could you possibly want of a novel? Only to have FIVE novels like it! And guess what - you get that too. Daniel Pinkwater is a genius, dork, scientist, a bald guy, and a funny guy all rolled into one brilliant whole. But hey, don't believe me, I lie all the time. Just get your fleegix cups and read this book. It rocks my world (and some other worlds probably too).
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Summary: -[beyond a title]-
Review: I cannot think of one word, or two, or three or even more to describe this book. I am not even going to try. The only problem I have is not with the book itself, but with some of the reviews.. Everyone looks upon Alan Mendelson, Boy from Mars as Pinkwater's masterpiece when the true gem (in my opinion) is in the back of the book! Yes folks.. Young Adult Novel by Daniel Pinkwater is quite possibly my favourite book. Ever. It is insanely random (Horace Gerstenblut n'existe pas!!!) (also, Kevin Shapiro is the, well, I won't ruin that card for you, partially 'cause I can't remember..). But anyway, all the contained novels are pure comic genius, funny to all (I loved them when I was eleven or so, but they seem almost better to people in high school; my aunt loves Pinkwater and I read Young Adult Novel to my mum and she seemed to enjoy it), so I suggest you read this book IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!
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Summary: the love-child of Robin Williams and Garrison Keillor?
Review: I first read Mr. Pinkwater's wonderful comedy when an excerpt of Hoboken Fish and Chicago Whistle appeared in Funny Times magazine. I laughed through the whole thing, and then showed it to everyone I know. Those who didn't laugh I dropped like hot potatoes! Protagonists are most often intelligent junior high-ish boys who don't quite fit in at school and have rather odd relatives (though sympathetic females and adults also make appearances). And while these books may be just the magic to get your pre-adolescent son reading, don't make the mistake of thinking these books are limited to that demographic. The author is creative, inventive, outrageous, charming and sweet, and anyone who appreciates outrageous invention and smart-alecky humor will love the work of this very talented author. I can't wait to read more books by Mr. Pinkwater, and am very happy to see his books are being reissued.
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Summary: Pure Genius
Review: I have read and loved Daniel Pinkwater for as long as I can remember. His books are witty, creative, laugh-out-loud-funny, and at times pure genius. This is a collection of some of his finest novels. I keep my copy of this book by my bed so I can pick it up any time and read. I will never tire of "Alan Mendolsohn, Boy from Mars," the adventures of two students and their unlikely adventures in mind-control, or any of the other novels. I can always read this book and you should, too.
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Summary: What if HE'S the sane one?
Review: I loved Pinkwater when I was eleven and I love him at least as much now. He treats his readers with respect, rather than talking down to them, and he is one of the funniest writers I've ever read, for any audience. His characters are some of the best in fiction, and his ideas are far-fetched enough to make anyone wonder a little about the fine line between brilliance and insanity. Having five novels in one volume was almost more excitement than I could handle. A warning to kids: you may want to keep two copies of this one around, because you'll never pry this book out of the hands of the adults around you. A warning to adults: once children are introduced to Pinkwater, there are reading flashlights to be confiscated in the middle of the night. One last note: Pinkwater has written for all ages, from some wonderful picture books to at least one book of essays for us grown-up folk who have loved him on NPR. Try them all.
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Summary: Fun for all ages!
Review: I was a huge fan of Mr Pinkwater as a young adult, voraciously reading all of his work that I could get my hands on. The strange, yet appealing stories, clicked with me in my awkward teen years. As I grew up I forgot his work, but to my delight rediscovered his work one day in my favored book store with this book. 5 Novels contains some of his BEST work, and it was a grand way for me to relive my earlier years. His stories are relavent to young and old alike, and I highly recommend you pick up this book!
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Summary: Unique
Review: I was going to write that Pinkwater is not your normal young adult author and then I got to thinking--what is your normal young adult author? Lewis Carroll had his thing for photographing young girls, C.S. Lewis was a bit of a hermit, Roald Dahl played with perversity (if you think his children fiction are dark, try some of his adult stuff, which I couldn't finish). The women might be sane, for I've never heard a nasty story about Madeline L'Engle, Diana Wynne Jones, or E. Nesbit (well, she was a bit of a socialist radical). It does not matter. Pinkwater is akin to all of these in that no one else could quite copy the things that he writes. This is a collection of Pinkwater novels that have been out of print for years (the original copyrights on these range from 1978 to 1982), but not out of mind. Alan Mendelsohn, in particular, seems to be well-loved and is often mentioned as a favorite of the younger set. I'm glad to finally have this opportunity to read it, for it is indeed a fun book, full of exceedingly strange twists and turns. You aren't sure if Alan is from Mars, or if he's just playing, and then you are sure, and then you aren't. It's Philip K. Dick lite, but it's fun. Slaves of Spiegel and The Last Guru are much more simple (I would even think that they are meant for less mature readers than for the other three in this book), but like the best children's literature, they have something for everyone. I chuckled through Slaves of Spiegel, finding the contest quite amusing, especially the description of some of the delicacies concocted in the name of food, and I thought the satire, while obvious, in The Last Guru quite effective. The Snarkout Boys resembles Alan Mendelsohn in its convoluted plot, but it seems much more grounded in reality, if a particularly eccentric reality, at least until the last quarter of the book. Its depiction of high school is stiletto sharp, but nothing as cutting as in Young Adult Novel. All the books have a jaundiced view of school, noting the common problems of cliques, moribund teachers, and the energy of youth (yes, that last is a problem--hey, you didn't think, as a teacher, that I would side totally for the kids, did you?). All of these novels were fun, and I would recommend them to your local dissident youth.
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Summary: Pinkwater: the choice of a new generation!
Review: My only complaint about Pinkwater is that he makes me want to live in a Chicago that never existed, where the Snark shows 24-hour double billings of obscure films, and where you can go to Beanbender's on Lower North Aufzoo Street and get the best beer and baked potato of your life. Where the Chicken Man shows up wherever you least expect him. Where talking lizards take over late-night TV (although that's in Lizard Music, another book). However, the mere fact that I have this complaint shows how well he's done his job -- he's made his books so much fun I want to be able to live my own version of them.
If you loved these books -- and I think you will -- try his collection 4 Fantastic Novels, of course, but also try his collected NPR commentaries, Hoboken Fish and Chicago Whistle (originally two books, now available as one).
P.S. I started reading these books when I was around 12. I'm still reading them at 24. Tell you anything about how good they are?
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Summary: For anyone who has been, is, or will be a teenager
Review: This is one of the books that all bookstores should be required to constatntly stock. With the other Pinkwater collection also in print, I have hope for future generations of Americans!
Pinkwater is the master of finding the humor in the angst of teenage outcasts, and making even geeky kids (like me) feel good about themselves.
I'm sure you'll need several copies - for yourself and all your friends.
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Summary: my favorite book
Review: When i picked this book up I was about nine I started reading it. it is really somthing you have to read, alen mendelsohn the Boy from mars is my favorite story you can't explain how good it is you have to read it. if you liked harry potter you will love it if you didn't you'll still love it.daniel pinkwater is a genius when it comes to writing .i just don't know how he does it but he really is good at it and he's got to keep up the good work if he is going to keep us going it should be a sin not to read this EXCELLENT book. i wish i could explain how good it is but you'll have to read it to find out don't hesitate just do it it is the longest book i ever read it is the best book i ever read as well.
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