Starred review from April 22, 2013
“Life in The Realms has fallen into a sort of ‘been there, done that’ kind of routine” for Joss, the seventh and least skilled son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe. The Realms occupy the dark matter of the universe and keep the whole thing running; Joss’s job is to deliver pies for the Powers That Be (PTB), pies that hold “the very fabric of the universe together.” When 12-year-old Earth resident Annika accidentally spots a pie baker in the Realms, the PTB rip Earth and its solar system out of the space-time continuum, effectively revoking its existence (“This way it’s nice and neat, and we don’t have that nagging guilt at killing off a five-billion-year-old planet,” says Joss’s father proudly). Annika herself somehow appears in the Realms, and she and Joss must recreate the entire solar system from the ground up. Full of fascinating science and clever humor, Mass’s (The Candy-makers) story shines as bright as the stars of Joss’s universe. A high-stakes extraterrestrial adventure that’s as exciting as it is fun. Ages 8–12. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown.
April 15, 2013
Astrophysics and cosmology play around with haphazard cheer in an experimental comedy that could be a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for kids. Joss is 13 (well, "more like a few billion and thirteen") and lives in The Realms, a huge place "inside what you call dark matter." As seventh son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe, Joss' job is to deliver pies. He only partially understands why it matters--after his deliveries, "[s]omehow the Powers That Be distribute the pies to the far reaches of the universe, wherever new star systems are forming"--but he understands the rule (like Star Trek's Prime Directive) that The Realms "never interfere with the planets' natural evolution." That said, if any planetary life-form sees The Realms, the penalty is "immediate disintegration of the entire planet." Yet when human Annika Klutzman spots a Realms pie-baker through a telescope, the PTB don't demolish Earth--they rip it "out of the space-time continuum" so it never existed (sort of). Annika herself materializes inexplicably in The Realms, where she and Joss labor to rebuild Earth's solar system. Chapters open with tantalizing quotes from the likes of Stephen Hawking, Neil deGrasse Tyson and, of course, Carl Sagan: "If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." Science and absurdity frolic together to gleeful effect. (author's note) (Fantasy. 8-12)
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June 1, 2013
Gr 5-8-In this outer-space adventure, Joss is the billions-year-old seventh son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe. He's charged with delivering pies that contain "the fundamental forces of nature" in his home, "The Realms," which are located in dark matter. Joss's problems are proportionately grand when Annika Klutzman, an Earthling girl, accidentally catches a glimpse of The Realms through her dad's telescope. Such a violation results in Earth (and its solar system) vanishing from space and time and Annika being transported to a meeting of the "Powers That Be" (PTB). Joss's friend Kal's parents were unfortunately visiting Earth on this fateful day, resulting in Kal's elimination as well. Joss is set on rescuing his friend by rebuilding the solar system-with Annika's help, of course. Annika's spirited sauciness and Joss's determination enable them to overcome a multitude of obstacles: stolen data, withheld information, a saboteur, and more. The humorous banter and interesting physics factoids keep readers entertained when the plot drags slightly toward the middle. However, the conclusion is as exciting and surprising as the premise, and the final chapter renders it emotionally fulfilling as well. The thought-provoking quotes from a variety of great thinkers at the onset of each chapter and the subject matter make Mass's latest a unique, mind-stretching title for science-fiction lovers, and the entertaining high jinks and evolving relationship between Joss and Annika give it an even wider appeal.-Kathy Cherniavsky, Ridgefield Library, CT
Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2013
When Earth is ripped out of the space-time continuum after earthling Annika discovers The Realms through her telescope, Joss's best friend Kal is ripped away, too. Joss (seventh son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe) must re-create Earth from scratch to save Kal and send Annika home. This whimsical cosmology fantasy offers astrophysics and chemistry along with its humorous underachiever vibe.
(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)