Rating: 
Summary: Great for All Ages
Review: "Akiko on the Planet Smoo" is the kind of children's book that succeeds in doing what all my favorite books did for me when I was a kid: it transports the reader into a strange and exciting new world, and stimulates the imagination with unique characters and fantastic situations. Also like my favorite children's books, "Akiko on the Planet Smoo" keeps the reader grounded by using an "ordinary" kid (in this case, a fourth-grade Earth girl named Akiko) as the narrator. As in "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," the fantasy elements in "Akiko on the Planet Smoo" become somehow more realistic when seen through the eyes of someone who's used to a normal life on planet Earth. The author, Mark Crilley, does an excellent job of vividly describing the action from a kid's perspective. I felt like I was standing right beside Akiko when she met King Froptoppit and the rest of her rescue party pals (the bookish Mr. Beeba is my personal favorite, with the enigmatic floating head known as Poog coming in at a close second). Thanks to Mr. Crilley's skillful handling of the material, floating cars, Sky Pirates and robots all make perfect sense while on the planet Smoo, no matter how unbelievable they might seem here on Earth.But honestly, the best part about "Akiko on the Planet Smoo" is not initially noticeable to the casual reader. Mr. Crilley has provided a message that's invaluable to kids: they don't have to be grown-ups to make a difference. Akiko is a shy girl who isn't eager to take on too many responsibilities. When she gets whisked away to the planet Smoo and put in charge of a rescue party, she's convinced there must be some kind of mistake. She's no leader and has no idea how she's supposed to go about rescuing the Prince of Smoo. If it were up to her, she wouldn't even accept the job, but fortunately for her (and for us!), the King doesn't really give her much of a choice. As the story progresses, Akiko learns that she's capable of ALL KINDS of things, including the capability to be an excellent leader. Now, Mr. Crilley certainly doesn't bang his readers over the head with this lesson. He's mostly interested in telling a good story, not preaching self-sufficiency to kids. The moral just helps to insure that "Akiko on the Planet Smoo" will reach the status of "classic" long after most contemporary children's books disappear into oblivion. So, if you're looking for something to read to your kids, or if you're looking for a way to relive your childhood, "Akiko on the Planet Smoo" is the book for you. Mr. Crilley is a real pro. He succeeded in making me relive parts of my childhood I'd all but forgotten; and that's a good thing, because they were some of the BEST parts I risked losing. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! (By the way, if you like Mr. Crilley's illustrations in this book, I would highly recommend picking up his "Akiko" graphic novels, which this book is based on. They're available at this website, too!)
Rating:
Summary: Akiko zooms into all-out action!
Review: Akiko on the Planet Smoo is a wonderful story about a ten year old girl who is asked to lead a mission to rescue a prince who just happens to be from another planet. The problem is that Akiko doesn't want to be a leader. She is content just to be on the sidelines. The main characters who make up Akiko's rescue team are very colorful and somewhat eccentric. Spuckler is the swashbuckling, take action type. Mr. Beeba is the scholarly, but very cautious one. Gax is Spuckler's loyal rusty robot. And Poog is the mysterious, floating ball with big eyes. The story has Jaggasaurs that make Godzilla look wimpy, giant robots that outshine those in Star Wars, huge flying pirate ships, and heart-stopping action that will leave you breathless! The author and artist, Mark Crilley, does a wonderful job of fleshing out the characters without slowing down all the action. His illustrations throughout the book are simply amazing. Underneath all the action and adventure, Akiko on the Planet Smoo is really about a ten year old girl who discovers the true potential that is inside us all. A little bit of the Wizard of Oz and a touch of Star Wars make Akiko an exciting read for children and adults. I give this book my highest recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: Akiko - Hero of youngsters and oldsters.
Review: Akiko on the Planet Smoo is an enchanting story of a 10 year old girl that brings Mark Crilleys' writing and characterization to life. This artist and author vividly transforms a childs' world of make believe to virtual reality. It will hold a child spellbound as they travel to the land of Smoo with Akiko in her enchanted kingdom. I give this book my highest recommendation for Mark Crilleys' "Akiko on the Planet Smoo" as he shows us through his writings and superb drawings that we are all children at heart.
Rating:
Summary: The Best! :-)
Review: I am 10 years old and Akiko on the Planet Smoo was one of the best books I have ever read. This book made me laugh out loud, it was so funny. It inspired me to write my own version. I'd recommend it for both boys and girls.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of fun to read! :)
Review: I borrowed this book from my little brother, not really knowing what to expect. I was really surprised. Despite it's major potential for being the world's cheesiest book series, the Akiko books are really funny and the characters are all fun to read about. My favorite is Poog (the mysterious, purple, and perpetually-floating spherical alien). This book tells the story of the fourth grader Akiko being whisked off to a strange planet to rescue the Prince Froptoppit from his evil captor, Alia Rellapor while accompanied by her new friends Spuckler, Gax, Poog, and Mr. Beeba. Believe me, it's not as corny as it sounds. Akiko On the Planet Smoo would be a great book to read to a 2nd or 3rd grade class. I also highly recommend the Akiko comic books.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book
Review: I loved this book when I first read it.It is a pageturner and is great book that I couldn't put down.It is full of action, adventure, suspense,and alot a fun. So read this really great story by this really good author.
Rating:
Summary: Action Packed!
Review: I read Akiko on the Planet Smoo in one day. I couldn't put it down, and I went right down to my bookstore and bought the next one when I was done. There was one part when Spuckler was driving a space ship and all the characters got caught in a pirate's net that was hanging from their ship in the sky over the ocean. I liked when Spuckler made the big dinosaur-like Jaggasaur run into a wall. I think the whole series is great and I hope Mark Crilley keeps coming out with them 'till I'm dead.
Rating:
Summary: akiko on the planet smoo
Review: i read Akiko on the planrt smoo over the summer and i really enjoyed it. my birthdat is coming up and im asking for vol.1-3 as a gift. i really cant wati to read the next ones!
Rating:
Summary: Akiko on the planet smoo
Review: I thought the characters in the book were very interesting. The story of the first book which leads you to the next was exciting. I read the book in about 3days. I could not put it down. The book was funny, interesting, exciting. I will recommend this book to my classmates and I am looking forward to the next book.
Rating:
Summary: A Favorite of 4th Graders!
Review: I'm a fourth grade teacher who read this book -and the two following volumes- to my class and it was a tremendous hit (at the end of the year, kids actually bought their own copies and asked me to "autograph" them! ) I would recommend thiese books to anyone looking for a fun book for a 9 or 10 year old - the writing is very good, the illustrations are fun, and the books are filled with action and suspense - great for reluctant readers ~
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