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angiew23's review against another edition
4.0
This funny, outlandish middle grade novel tells the story of two cousins who wish they could soak up just a bit more summer vacation. Sometimes you get what you wish for and it doesn't always end up being quite what you imagined, and that is certainly the case for Otto and Sheed! When the entire town freezes, the boys are left to save the town, avoid crazy creatures and somehow get things back to normal and bring an end to summer vacation. The book has a high energy level and quick pacing to it that is sure to capture the attention of middle grade readers. There are funny moments for sure and the characters are well developed. I initially thought about reading it as a back to school book for my grade 3/4 students, and while I think they would enjoy it and could definitely myself purchasing a copy for my classroom library, I'm not sure I want to do a novel study on it, though I probably could make it work. I could also see using it as a mentor text for an alternative "what I did on summer vacation" writing prompt! There are also some good middle grade themes woven throughout, such as believing in yourself and working together/being supportive. It is a good book and one I would definitely recommend.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
5.0
Rollicking adventure! Time travel! Plucky duo(s!)! Weird setting! There's a freaking map in the front of this book! Ownvoices! Super weird giant monsters! Originality! FUN!
I mean really. This book. So good.
This book was so much FUN To Read. It's about these kids (who apparently already have a reputation in their town) who accidentally (sorta) freeze the town in time. So only they can rescue their community!
One of my favorite bits in this book is about the The Eternal Creek which runs to one side of their town. I won't spoil the coolness, but it's so great!
Oh, and did I mention there are illustrations in this book - created by the great [a: Dapo Adeola]?!? Not as many as Pie in the Sky, but more than a few.
Seriously. This book.
Shoo-in for booktalking with elementary-aged kids, though I'm also campaigning for it to be included in the Battle of the Books list for 2020-2021.
Even though the idea of an eternal summer might feel particularly weird this year...
I mean really. This book. So good.
This book was so much FUN To Read. It's about these kids (who apparently already have a reputation in their town) who accidentally (sorta) freeze the town in time. So only they can rescue their community!
One of my favorite bits in this book is about the The Eternal Creek which runs to one side of their town. I won't spoil the coolness, but it's so great!
Oh, and did I mention there are illustrations in this book - created by the great [a: Dapo Adeola]?!? Not as many as Pie in the Sky, but more than a few.
Seriously. This book.
Shoo-in for booktalking with elementary-aged kids, though I'm also campaigning for it to be included in the Battle of the Books list for 2020-2021.
Even though the idea of an eternal summer might feel particularly weird this year...
apotts's review against another edition
4.0
This fast-paced adventure drops the reader into the action and doesn't stop until the very end! Along the way, two cousins will win hearts and laughs as they save their town from a villain like no other. Kids will want to hop on their bikes and join in!
socorrobaptista's review
4.0
Muito divertido, ao mesmo tempo em que nos mostra como situações rotineiras podem se tornar bastante complexas. Gostei bastante.
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic, fantastical story! So many twists and turns in this time-travel adventure led by cousins Otto and Sheed, who use their unique talents to try and save the day when time goes haywire in their town. The boys are lovable from the very first chapter, and all of the characters (from the grandma to unexpected creatures to a pair of rival twin girls) jump off the page with tons of voice and heart. Kids are going to want to read this one again and again, especially black kids, who'll finally get to see themselves in the pages of a story like this.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
This goofy-weird-adventure would be an excellent addition to the fantasy book club unit. A villain who freezes time - holding still that last perfect day of summer, plus lots of puns in the style of the Phantom Tollbooth (Clock Watchers with names like Game Time, Minute Men, Second Guessers), a smattering of wacky inventions (from gravity dampening to a robot playing a dangerous game of tag), and a dollop of cousin/sibling love and quarreling.
It took a little bit to get into the weird but not quirky mood of the book, but I think this would work for readers who don't like epic quests or wizard boarding school or mythical beasts fantasy.
It took a little bit to get into the weird but not quirky mood of the book, but I think this would work for readers who don't like epic quests or wizard boarding school or mythical beasts fantasy.
raechsreads's review
4.0
Cousins Otto and Sheed are disappointed when they realize that it's the last day of summer. Little do they realize that this is not going to be a forgettable day, even in their strange town. I enjoyed the growth of each boy through their adventures. Plus, love the thought of a camera actually capturing a moment in time.
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
This is the perfect summer read for early middle school readers. Who doesn't want to make summer last forever? Two cousin's accidentally extend summer with disastrous consequences. Lamar Giles builds such cool worlds.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
Find my original review on my blog: https://wp.me/p8jcuj-2qV
Cousins, Otto and Sheed, live in a very strange town with their grandmother. They have developed many different tactics for getting out of sticky situations. On their last day of summer, a weird gentleman appears with a strange camera, that freezes time. Otto and Sheed are determined to unfreeze their town, but mysterious time creatures have started wreaking havoc in the town. With the help of the Golden Hours and Father Time, the cousins may just have a fighting chance.
There were many different things happening at once throughout this novel. The mystical characters were zany, fun, and interesting, especially the random older gentleman that helps the boys. This book felt like a second book. There were many references to earlier adventures, the development of the competition between the cousins and the adventuring twin girls. This would be a great series, I just wish that at some point a prequel will come out, so that it can tie in the loose pieces of this book. It would be cool to have related graphic novels with this series. The plot lends itself to a graphic novel.
Cousins, Otto and Sheed, live in a very strange town with their grandmother. They have developed many different tactics for getting out of sticky situations. On their last day of summer, a weird gentleman appears with a strange camera, that freezes time. Otto and Sheed are determined to unfreeze their town, but mysterious time creatures have started wreaking havoc in the town. With the help of the Golden Hours and Father Time, the cousins may just have a fighting chance.
There were many different things happening at once throughout this novel. The mystical characters were zany, fun, and interesting, especially the random older gentleman that helps the boys. This book felt like a second book. There were many references to earlier adventures, the development of the competition between the cousins and the adventuring twin girls. This would be a great series, I just wish that at some point a prequel will come out, so that it can tie in the loose pieces of this book. It would be cool to have related graphic novels with this series. The plot lends itself to a graphic novel.
antoinettepowb's review against another edition
5.0
A fast paced, fun, and humorous adventure! I enjoyed Otto and Sheed's relationship and appreciated how different they were, but still very close. I love the idea of freezing an entire town and having to figure out how to start everything up again. The personification of all the phrases of time we use. This is a great introduction to Logan County and the Legendary Alston Boys Adventures. A must have for middle grade and upper elementary classrooms!