Read more
Informationen zum Autor William Sleator (1945–2011) was the author of numerous science fiction books for children and young adults, including Interstellar Pig , House of Stairs , and Blackbriar . Klappentext "From creepy to hilarious to murkily outlandish: a freewheeling science fiction nightmare/comedy from the inventive William Sleator . . . Steady! challenging amusement for savvy readers".--Kirkus Reviews! pointer review. An ALA Notable Book; ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Zusammenfassung The author of such reliably offbeat sf thrillers as Strange Attractors (1990) radically changes pace for ten hilarious! semi- autobiographical stories. With affection and a splendid sense of comic timing! Sleator drags forth incidents from his family closet's darkest recesses--the time young Tycho was hypnotized and then made to drink from the toilet; an indignant skit that laid bare the failings of certain parents! to their vast amusement; rough-and-tumble car games; and deliciously horrifying pranks played on unsuspecting passersby. Vivid characterizations (sister Vicky ``had always enjoyed making dolls fight with each other; when the dolls wore out! she ripped off their arms and legs. Now she is a nurse'') always balance foibles with saving graces; embarrassment is eased by laughter! while painful circumstances always come right in the end. Sleator shows how! in a loosely run household presided over by indulgent working parents! he and his three siblings developed confident! independent spirits. Though he admits to making up a few things! his dedication is telling – ``To my family: Please forgive me!'' – Kirkus Reviews
