An explosive, highly charged, and hilarious middle-grade adventure from Mark Haddon, acclaimed author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. From the moment that Jim and his best friend, Charlie, bug the staff room and overhear two of their teachers speaking to each other in a secret language, they know there's an adventure on its way. But what does "spudvetch" actually mean, and why do Mr. Kidd's eyes flicker with fluorescent blue light when Charlie says it to him? Perhaps Kidd and Pearce are bank robbers talking in code. Perhaps they're spies. Perhaps they are aliens. Whatever it is, Jimbo and Charlie are determined to find out. There really is an adventure on its way. A nuclear-powered, one-hundred-ton adventure with reclining seats and a buffet car. And as it gathers speed and begins to spin out of control, it can only end one way . . . with a BOOM!
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"Absolutely hilarious, in the way that many of Daniel Pinkwater's books are. I was laughing out loud at several points, and the rest of the time, I was just enjoying the story. A lot of the British slang may baffle kids, but I found it plenty funny. Recommended for grades 5-8."
— Heather (4 out of 5 stars)
" An entertaining adventure romp that is fast paced and quirky enough to appeal to reluctant readers. "
— Beverly, 2/19/2014" Too Juvenile for me "
— Sara, 2/10/2014" I liked this book because it was exciting with people on the run in the city. It was not too scary. Exactly my type of book, although I didn't think so from the cover. Don't judge this book by it's cover. "
— Shock109, 2/6/2014" Two middle school students overhear their teachers speaking in a secret language and start to investigate. Things quickly get exciting. "
— Steven, 2/5/2014" Boom! is a high-speed, funny science fiction novel for kids by the author of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. He writes, "This book was first published in 192 under the title Gridzbi Spudvetch!" It's an easy read, and the first half, when Jimbo Kidd and his friend Charlie discover that two of their teachers speak an alien language, was excellent. The second part of the book, at the Isle of Skye, feels hasty and improbable, as if the author were racing to finish things up somehow. I still enjoyed it and recommend it to kids who like action, science fiction, and humor. However, it is nothing like THE CURIOUS INCIDENT at all, in case you were wondering. "
— Dr., 1/31/2014" A rollicking read that is reminiscent of Roald Dahl but retains its own quirky style as well. I've read both of Haddon's adult novels and this was my first YA work of his; it's highly enjoyable for any age and it's a quick read, too! Just keep your English (UK) slang dictionary close at hand. "
— Jason, 1/21/2014" A book for children. Unlike several young adult books, which I really enjoyed, I thought this was unbelievable and for younger kids. Won't be reading it again. "
— Cygny, 1/13/2014" I love Mark Haddon's sense of humor. This book about the adventures of two boys is absurd but fun. "
— Shawn, 1/10/2014" Fun - sci-fy for youth. "
— Naomi, 1/3/2014" I liked it, nicely written, it's a children's book, but I still enjoyed it. Not as good as other books by Haddon I read though "
— Sayra, 12/9/2013" This was great fun. Kind of Robert Heinlein-lite. Fun story with lots of action and clever sequences. I'd recommend this to just about anyone, even those that don't usually read YA stuff. "
— Jaron, 11/16/2013" Straight up children's book, but sometimes really funny. "
— Rebecca, 11/4/2013" I picked this up because I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, which I thought was brilliant. Boom is a rewrite of an earlier work of Haddon's that was not well received. For me this second attempt does not deliver either. "
— Noah, 10/20/2013" One of my 8 year old son's favorite books. He's read it MANY times. I had to see what it was all about. Good kids sci-fi. "
— Russ, 5/22/2013" The narration and the story of this book were fantastic! Spot on! "
— Danielle, 5/12/2013" What started as a sort of prank to listen in on their teachers led two boys to find out an frightening truth... two of their teachers are aliens. A quick read that takes you on a journey to England, Scotland, and even Plonk! "
— Sean, 1/27/2013" Good fun. For older kids, teenagers. Easy read. "
— Eva, 11/28/2012" I listen to this book. I think it would be good for boys in 5th grade and up. "
— Gina, 11/24/2012" Not to buy any more Mark Haddon books because they were written by Mark Haddon. Just kidding, it was a cute book.. albeit a bit juvenile. "
— Lenny, 11/23/2012" When Jim and Charlie overhear two of their teachers talking in a secret language and the two friends set out to solve the mystery, they do not expect the dire consequences of their actions. "
— pati, 10/1/2012" really good, fast moving good story 8 "
— Rodney, 6/8/2012" I really enjoyed the first part of this - Mark Haddon captures the teenage vernacular and humour really well. As a teenager I would give it 4 stars - as an adult reader it nicely, tidily petered out so I give it 3 stars. "
— Lynda, 3/15/2012" I liked it and it will go well with a younger audience, but I kept thinking they could have done more with the plot. alos, I think they shold have stuck with the original title of 'Spudvetch'. "
— Dee-Ann, 11/5/2011" Reading this book was a mistake, I got bored of the book in the 3d chapter "
— Chorin, 10/26/2011" Middle School and up. What a fun book! There is nothing that will stop these two boys from getting to the bottom of a mystery surrounding a couple of their teachers. It leads them to places that they would have never dreamed of going. "
— Shelley, 5/19/2011" Quick, funny sci-fi read for kids/young adults. Entertaining! (but I mostly just loved the cover's design...) "
— Julie, 5/4/2011" It was nice, but actually, when you mention Mark Haddon, I expect things like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time :) "
— Puti, 4/23/2011" It was a very easy read with a little adventure. :) "
— Krystle, 4/12/2011" really good, fast moving good story 8 "
— Rodney, 4/2/2011" Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime was a more interesting read for me, but this was a fun juvenile or young adult read. I wasn't so fond of how the adults treated the youth. I'd like to think that there aren't people like that in the world, but I'm sure I'm wrong. "
— Lisa, 3/7/2011" This was great fun. Kind of Robert Heinlein-lite. Fun story with lots of action and clever sequences. I'd recommend this to just about anyone, even those that don't usually read YA stuff.<br/> "
— Jaron, 3/5/2011" A nice youngers' story about teachers from outer space. <br/>It is written carefuly, funny and "flowing" so I wondered why it finished so soon... "
— Doron, 2/28/2011" Not to buy any more Mark Haddon books because they were written by Mark Haddon. Just kidding, it was a cute book.. albeit a bit juvenile. "
— Lenny, 2/24/2011Mark Haddon is an author, illustrator, and screenwriter. His bestselling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, was published in 2003 and won seventeen literary prizes, including the Whitbread Book of the Year Award, and is an international bestseller. Mark Haddon lives in Oxford, England.
Julian Rhind-Tutt is an actor and voice artist. His audiobook narrations have earned five AudioFile Earphones Awards, and he has been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award. His film appearances include roles in The Madness of King George, The Saint, Les Misérables, Notting Hill, and Tomorrow Never Dies, while his television credits include Reckless, Dangerfield, and Richard II. His stage work includes Editing Process, The Way of the World, Catherine Howard, and as the Duke of York in The Madness of George III. He is also the recipient of the Carlton Hobbs Award from BBC Radio.