This is a fun, humorous science fiction story told from the point of view of 11-1/2 year old
Gratuity Tucci who is writing an essay for a contest about the True meaing of Smekday. Smekday, it turns out, is the day when planet earth was taken over by aliens known as the Boov. It is also the day in which Gratuity's mother is abducted. The essay Gratuity initially composes leads up to the point where she has started to drive herself and her cat "Pig" from Pennsylvania to Florida, where the Boov have decided all people shall live. However, her teacher requests that she add more background information to the story, which is how the rest of the book is generated. Gratuity meets a Boov, who calls himself "JLo", at gas station soon after she leaves home. Although initially trying to avoid him, he comes to her aid by making "improvements" to her car (affectionately known as "Slucious") so that it can hover. He also hitchhikes a ride, since, it turns out, he has botched an antenae job assigned him and inadvertentaly led the aggressive Gorg right to the planet. The road trip to the "Happy Mouse Kingdom" is entertaining as Human, Boov, and Cat intereact with each other (it turns out cats love the Boov because of their fishy scent), and a friendship begins to develop between Gratuity and JLo. Upon reaching Florida, they learn that the Boov liked the "Happy Mouse Kingdom" so much that humans have been relocated to Arizona. The road trip continues to Arizona, where Gratuity learns her mother may be living. Interesting characters are introduced in Florida and Arizona that come in handy as the fight against the aliens inevitably occurs. The book includes the bi-racial character of Gratuity and is very clean overall. Profanity is beeped out or she says "pardon my language" where it does occur. Cartoons are included since JLo likes to draw pictures. Appropriate for grades 5-8 and is wonderful to listen to on audiobook - it is the winner of 2011 Odyssey award for best produced audiobook for children and/or young adults that year.
