Astronaut Academy: Re-entry

July 1, 2013

Gr 4-6-Hakata Soy, the space hero with dangerously spiky hair, is glad to be back at Astronaut Academy after a semester break. Trouble emerges when a creature that feeds on human emotion infiltrates the school. The resulting drama, including a ban on love, threatens to keep Hakata's Fireball team out of the championship. This mix of science fiction and humor has high appeal, deftly referencing manga, anime, and gaming conventions. There are adorable chibis, a bunny teacher, and a panda undercover agent, and Fireball games are depicted as video-game battles, the players in full, mecha-like armor. Bold cartoon-style illustrations nod to manga's spiky, stylized look while remaining unique. Full of action, humor, and engaging characters, this is a solid purchase.-Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2013
Hakata Soy and his fellow students at Astronaut Academy return from break to an academy in lockdown. Hakata Soy, formerly of Meta-Team, a group of intergalactic preteen superheroes, is trying to get over the fact that his crush in that group, Princess Boots, is now dating his archrival (since kindergarten), Rick Raven, of the villainous group Gotcha Birds. Thalia Thistle is hiding her participation on the school fireball (sort of like lacrosse with halberds and balls of flame) team from her father (who teaches at the academy). Tak Offsky is hiding his crush on Thalia and his disappointment that she hangs out so much with her former enemy, Maribelle Mellonbelly, richest girl at AA, who has a crush on Hakata. All the students are in danger from something disguised as a student that steals hearts (everyone starts out with three, and losing them all can result in death). Can everyone resolve their romantic entanglements in a school where love and fun have been outlawed for student safety? Roman's second tale, told in a series of black-and-white comic-strip chapters each focusing on a different student, requires a go-with-the-flow reader. The deadpan quirk, consciously misspelled and misused words, anime-cute artwork and fractured plot are not for readers seeking a straightforward story. Definitely goofy. (Graphic science fiction. 10-14)

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June 1, 2013
Grades 4-6 Roman reenrolls his readers in Astronaut Academy, where the favorite equation is shojo plus Harry Potter equals clever, postmodern humor and surprisingly affecting romance. While the likes of Maribelle Mellonbelly, Tak Offsky, and Miyumi San can play MonChiChiMon cards with a rabbit space-ninja and a Spanish-speaking panda bear, the lovelorn Hakata Soy is recruited onto the academy's Fireball team as they strive to finally win the championship. At the same time, however, a shape-shifting monster has stowed away and is eating everyone's hearts, which proves pretty easy with everyone showing their affection by giving away one of their nine possible hearts left and right. Gags are packed into just about every panel, which makes for a fast-paced read. The zany tone works so well that the undercurrent of sincere longing and occasional romantic tragedy can sneak up on you. Roman's art, meanwhile, has an undeniable manga style but with the soft lines and easy charm of old-fashioned comic strips. Sure to delight returning readers, though newcomers can come aboard with no trouble.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)