Do Not Open!

May 8, 2017
Parisi, creator of the long-running comic strip “Off the Mark,” makes his fiction debut with a heavily illustrated series opener about a bumbling young artist whose overactive imagination, penchant for leaping to conclusions, and self-delusion drive the book’s comedy. After Marty finds a tattered note that reads “An alien is observing you,” he suspects that it refers to his short-tempered teacher, Mr. McPhee. Sneaking onto the teacher’s computer, Marty spots the word “annihilate” (on a vocabulary list, it turns out) and vows to expose the extraterrestrial and save the Earth. Parisi’s b&w cartoons are meant to be Marty’s work, and both text and art deliver zingers, pratfalls, and running gags that will keep kids laughing: whenever Marty is supposed to be riding his bicycle, he’s shown on a pogo stick (“I’m no good at drawing bikes”), and because his sister “changes the spelling almost as often as she changes her mood,” Marty never bothers spelling it the same way (Erika, Ericcah, Erikcka, etc.). Though readers may find the ending unsurprising, they’ll be eager to see more of Marty’s high jinks. Ages 8–12. Agent: Lynn Reznick, Atlantic Features Syndicate.

March 1, 2017
Not all philistines are aliens, but Marty is pretty sure at least one of them is.Marty Pants is an artist--has been since birth--and he always wears black. However, his teacher, Mr. McPhee, tries to discourage Marty's artistic tendencies, especially when Marty submits self-drawn comics in lieu of factual essays for assignments. When Marty finds a note saying "AN ALIEN IS OBSERVING YOU," Marty seeks the advice of his friend Parker. She tells him to stop watching so many alien movies. When Marty finds a folder on Mr. McPhee's computer marked with the titular instruction, he of course disobeys and spots the word "annihilate." Of course: McPhee is an alien bent on planetary destruction. Marty must save the world while dodging bullies and avoiding his perfect older sister, Erica (who "changes the spelling [of her name] almost as often as she changes her mood," which makes for an amusing running gag). However, Marty keeps ending up in embarrassing situations...all while being observed by the quiet new girl, Analie. Can Marty save the world? Off the Mark cartoonist Parisi's prose-and-cartoon series kickoff is a winner. Clueless, conclusion-jumping, creative kid Marty's artistic streak and an unexpected twist make this stand out. All the characters are paper white, but Parker's exuberantly kinky black hair may allow some readers to see in her a child of color. Just different enough from the others in the genre to be a welcome addition. (Graphic/fiction hybrid. 7-11)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 1, 2017

Gr 3-5-Another cartoon novel in the tradition of the "Wimpy Kid" series. Like other protagonists in this genre, Marty deals with small-time bullies, misunderstood school assignments, and clueless parents. Marty is more than a little clueless himself. He finds a note that says "An alien is observing you." Marty immediately pegs the alien as his taciturn teacher Mr. McPhee. He follows his teacher around, even breaking into his computer and rear-ending his car. It's too bad Marty remains oblivious to a new student, Analie, who seems to be everywhere Marty is, takes copious notes about his adventures, and even talks in a robotic voice. This incident-packed book features the usual bathroom humor, physical antics (for instance, a scene where Marty falls into a garbage can), and other situations bound to amuse young readers. This cartoonish novel is an easy pick for reluctant readers.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017
Grades 4-6 Showing uncommon mastery of the Wimpy Kid genre and narrative style, syndicated cartoonist Parisi introduces a feckless lad with artistic aspirations, a strong tendency to be seen in humiliating situations by intriguing new classmate Analie, and the conviction that his dour teacher, Mr. McPhee, is an alien scout. Simple line drawings on every page help lay down punch lines as they portray Marty and his motley set of friends and adversaries. So, too, do they present Marty's artistic effortsnotably a hastily censored comic featuring an innuendo-laden conversation between Michelangelo's David and the Venus de Milo ( Venus, why do we get along so well? I can't put my finger on it, Dave ). As it turns out, there is an alien in the picture (not McPhee), and Marty inadvertently saves the worldnot that anyone is ever going to believe him. Along with useful new vocabulary (philistine, schadenfreude), readers will find gags and misadventures aplenty to chortle over, plus a likable, if unusually clueless, everylad who comes away a winner.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
Aspiring artist Marty Pants has recently incurred the wrath of his teacher, his parents, and the neighborhood bully, and he believes an alien is stalking him. Cartoon drawings on every page rocket the madcap plot forward with plenty of physical humor and silliness. A solid conclusion about being true to your art adds a bit of unexpected depth to syndicated cartoonist Parisi's series-starter.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)