- Paperback: 144 pages
- Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (July 5 1995)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0140374388
- ISBN-13: 978-0140374384
- Product Dimensions: 18.6 x 11.2 x 1 cm
- Shipping Weight: 91 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,523,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Kirkus Reviews
The author of such reliably offbeat sf thrillers as Strange Attractors (1990) radically changes pace for ten hilarious, semi- autobiographical stories. With affection and a splendid sense of comic timing, Sleator drags forth incidents from his family closet's darkest recesses--the time young Tycho was hypnotized and then made to drink from the toilet; an indignant skit that laid bare the failings of certain parents, to their vast amusement; rough-and-tumble car games; and deliciously horrifying pranks played on unsuspecting passersby. Vivid characterizations (sister Vicky ``had always enjoyed making dolls fight with each other; when the dolls wore out, she ripped off their arms and legs. Now she is a nurse'') always balance foibles with saving graces; embarrassment is eased by laughter, while painful circumstances always come right in the end. Sleator shows how, in a loosely run household presided over by indulgent working parents, he and his three siblings developed confident, independent spirits. Though he admits to making up a few things, his dedication is telling--``To my family: Please forgive me!'' (Slightly fictionalized autobiography. 11-14) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
The author of such reliably offbeat sf thrillers as Strange Attractors (1990) radically changes pace for ten hilarious, semi- autobiographical stories. With affection and a splendid sense of comic timing, Sleator drags forth incidents from his family closet's darkest recesses--the time young Tycho was hypnotized and then made to drink from the toilet; an indignant skit that laid bare the failings of certain parents, to their vast amusement; rough-and-tumble car games; and deliciously horrifying pranks played on unsuspecting passersby. Vivid characterizations (sister Vicky had always enjoyed making dolls fight with each other; when the dolls wore out, she ripped off their arms and legs. Now she is a nurse') always balance foibles with saving graces; embarrassment is eased by laughter, while painful circumstances always come right in the end. Sleator shows how, in a loosely run household presided over by indulgent working parents, he and his three siblings developed confident, independent spirits. Though he admits to making up a few things, his dedication is telling – To my family: Please forgive me!'
– Kirkus Reviews
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
The best presents our parents ever gave to my sister, Vicky, and me were our little brothers. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
The best presents our parents ever gave to my sister, Vicky, and me were our little brothers. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating,
By RowdyHowdy "dr_hollywood" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Oddballs (Paperback)
This is William Sleator's account of his wacky childhood with his fascinating family of big fat weirdos.Sleator makes it clear that he (along with his family) was an ODDBALL--that is, not a misfit, just somebody who was always doing something weird--these stories are guaranteed to amuse you, no matter what your age. I have read this book many times--and I would've given it 5 stars, but it recently dropped down one spot in my mind. In the last chapter, Sleator tells of one part where he fibbed and stretched the truth a bit--so I had always figured, everything else must be true, if he's willing to say that little part was fictional. And I hate to steal anybody's enjoyment of how amazingly weird the people depicted in this little book are, but I have to tell the truth: The last time I finished reading this, I looked in the very front of the book, at the page with all the publication info-- My feelings were a bit hurt when I saw in small print a few words that changed the way I felt: 'ALL CHARACTERS AND EVENTS DESCRIBED IN THIS BOOK ARE FICTIONAL.' I really hope that's just an obligatory disclaimer. Even if you have to suspend your disbelief, believe me, you'll enjoy!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cool!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Oddballs (Paperback)
"Oddballs" is a very good book to read.Insted of only one booring story with few interesting chapter and the rest is borring. When you read oddballs you can have more variety of story, and every chapter would be as interesting as other. You can hardly put the book down because it's so fun. Sometimes when you were sitting alone you can laugh and smile. I would really recomemd this book to anyone who like humor book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book for relunctant readers.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Oddballs (Paperback)
I'm constantly at my 11 year son to read and I'm always on the lookout for books that will keep him interested and foster a love of books. Someone suggested that William Sleator would do the trick. He thought the book was hysterical and it made for a great summer read for him. I would suggest it for anyone trying to get a boy to read.
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