Julian Rodriguez #2: Invasion of the Relatives - Hardcover

Stadler, Alexander

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0439919673 ISBN 13: 9780439919678

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2009

Synopsis

First Officer Julian Rodriguez battles his worst foe yet -- a band of genetically linked mini-brains known as The Relatives!

First Officer Julian Rodriguez has seen his share of injustice during his time on Earth, and now he's facing his greatest challenge yet: the invasion of his home base by a group of genetically linked mini-brains known as "the relatives." He's been moved from his personal sleep chamber (bedroom) to a subterranean containment facility (the basement).Then he is forced to participate in a show of ceremonial athleticism (football), and must consume a variety of mystery foods (Thanksgiving dinner). But the ultimate disgrace comes when he is threatened with contamination by mini-brain DNA!

About this title

About the Author

Alexander Stadler is the author and illustrator of numerous books for children and adults, including the Beverly Billingsly series and WHAT WILLIE WORE. He has also worked in the fashion industry, designing prints for Todd Oldham and Comme des Garçons. Alexander Stadler lives with his partner and two dogs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

Grade 2–5—In this follow-up to Trash Crisis on Earth (Scholastic, 2008), Julian is still acting like an undercover operative for a galactic federation placed on Earth to observe human family rituals. This story focuses on the arrival of relatives for Thanksgiving dinner. Julian is required to sleep in the basement when company occupies his room, play football with his twin cousins, dress formally for dinner, and endure the indignity of having his cheek spit-cleaned by a solicitous nana. Illustrated in black, white, and orange, the pen-and-ink drawings have a scrabbly energy that looks messy at first blush, but provides clear storytelling throughout. The alternating format of the inquiring computer and Julian's report to the federation provides solid read-aloud opportunities. The potential humor exists in the contrast between the ordinariness of the events and the dry, anthropological tone of the descriptions of them, and the arch regard Julian has for humankind. The comic-book panels and narrative balloons are kept to a minimum; this is less of a graphic novel than an illustrated book with some comic-book elements.—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH
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Using his trusty laptop to communicate with the (probably imaginary) mother ship, space traveler Julian Rodriguez resumes his unhappy reports about earthlings. This time, it is Thanksgiving that nearly compels him to vaporize the planet. The humiliation of being pinched by “genetically linked mini-brains” (relatives), the lunacy of having to interact with “Obnoxatron” (his twin cousins), the uncomfortable “ceremonial costume” he is forced to don—the earthly indignities shall never cease! Crammed with drawings so angular readers will have to slow down to untangle them, this entry in the Julian Rodriguez series is even sharper and funnier than the first. Grades 2-4. --Daniel Kraus

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0439919673
• ISBN 13: 9780439919678
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Stadler Alexander
• Number of pages: 144