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lily1304's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Doesn't qualify as Young Adult only because the main character is 11, there's no romantic subplot, and it's too funny to fit in with typical YA sci-fi. I first read this when it came out in 2007, and I'm literally still mad it didn't win a Newberry that year.
The movie adaptation (Dreamworks' Home) omitted Smekday's more complex themes of colonization, racism, corruption, xenophobia, and adults' contempt for children. I suspect they knew that it's difficult to market a movie aimed at 11- to 14-year-olds because of the content rating system, so instead of making a more complex PG-13 version, they simplified it to a PG kids' movie, and generally made everything about the story worse. Please skip the movie and read the original instead.
The movie adaptation (Dreamworks' Home) omitted Smekday's more complex themes of colonization, racism, corruption, xenophobia, and adults' contempt for children. I suspect they knew that it's difficult to market a movie aimed at 11- to 14-year-olds because of the content rating system, so instead of making a more complex PG-13 version, they simplified it to a PG kids' movie, and generally made everything about the story worse. Please skip the movie and read the original instead.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
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