Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe

Gr 4–6—Even though Jacob blew up several stars and broke the whole cosmos in Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow (Dial, 2011), the middle-school prankster has been nominated to run for president of the universe. With his two best friends, Sarah and Dexter, he rockets off on a wild intergalactic campaign. Unfortunately, the Astral media seems to favor his opponent: space pirate, prince, and all-around brat Mick Cracken, who publicly vows an administration devoted to "corruption and scandal. . .foul tricks and dirty deeds." With Princess Catalina serving as Jacob's running mate so he can get the Astral vote and jealous Sarah recruited to fill the same role in Mick's administration, political chicanery is everywhere. However, after Sarah learns that her candidate has allied himself with the fanatical anti-Earther party, Society for Expediting Earther Rapture (SEER), she realizes that if Mick wins the presidency, Earth may be doomed. The breakneck plot zooms from planet to planet and crisis to crisis, and includes berserk space monkeys, trigger-happy SEER thugs, and even bloviating journalists. Along the way, there's some trenchant parody of contemporary electoral politics and sensation-obsessed media, as well as a surprisingly thoughtful reflection on loyalty, friendship, and individual responsibility. Familiarity with the first book is helpful, but not essential, and the cliff-hanger ending will ensure an audience for the next installment.—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL