Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow

To start, I loved Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow.  I've already ordered a copy for my nephew who is coming down with the flu so that my sister has something awesome to read him as he recovers.  I can't wait to recommend it to other people.  Now on to the review.

Quick Summary: Jacob Wonderbar--the bane of substitute teachers everywhere since his father left--trades a corndog for a spaceship.  With his two best friends, Sarah Daisy and Dexter, he blasts into space where he accidentally blows up a few star systems, effectively breaking the universe and preventing him and his friends from returning home.  Confronting space pirates, royalty, Substitute teachers, and scientists, the three friends need to protect their friendship and and find their way home.

I loved the characters.  It was refreshing to have a main character who was good at heart, but is TROUBLE at the same time.  I love those kids.  I was that kid.  The fact that Jacob was a pain in the butt for his subs made me love him.  Sarah Daisy and Dexter were also well-developed and totally different from Jacob and each other.  All of the characters were unique, funny, and interesting.  Even the space ships.  Yes, the spaceships talk.

As for the story--the whole book is fun.  So fun.  The kids are in outer space and there is so much opportunity.  Nathan definitely capitalizes on it.  I loved the planet Numonia where days and nights were each 30 seconds long.  The people would fall asleep in the middle of speaking and spend weeks accomplishing small tasks--like a feast or short walk.  It was so ridiculous; it was great.  Then, obviously, Jacob has to land on a planet full of substitute teachers.  It's only fitting.

The book is funny, but smart.  I don't know why I'm so surprised.  Nathan's blog is funny and smart and the book was so Nathan.  I suppose that's what they call voice.  I think it was so noticeable to me because this is the first time I've read a debut novel by someone whose writing I was already familiar with.  

I'm already excited for the sequel: Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe.  This book counts toward the following challenges: 100+ and the Fight or Flight mini-challenge (spaceship flying!) for the Hogwarts Reading Challenge.  Track my progress on the 2011 Challenges Page.