This is a tricky one. I was really absorbed by it and completely loved the story, but I'm not sure exactly what the kids will make of it. Even though it's science fiction-y, I think it'll work better for kids who love realistic fiction. I'll be very curious to hear what the kids say once it's been circulating for a while. ( )

Holy cow, there's a lot to unpack here -- environmental fears/conservation, consent, toxic masculinity, growing up, friendship drama, land ownership -- including some troublesome thoughts about indigenous sovereignty (at least for me), identity and STEM, STEM, STEM.

that sounds really heavy, but it's not. It's an almost casual, everyday happening kind of book, with a believable 11 year old protagonist who has all the usual 6th grade worries -- friends, nosebleeds, bullying, and his own unique baggage as well -- displacement from the joyful fields of his childhood, family pride and shame, alienation, an interest in science and fear over the state of the earth. Then he meets a plastic eating mammal and shenanigans ensue. It was an easy, engaging, interesting read. The characters are the kind of fierce and insightful people I look for from A.S. King (yes, that's the author here).

Really well done. ( )

Obe is not quite like the other kids, especially since his best friend Tommy started hanging out with the cool kids. Obe would rather hang out at the creek behind his property and look at the land that is slowly being taken over by new houses. One day at the creek Obe discovers a strange animal...he is unlike anything Obe has ever seen and he seems to eat plastic! With the help of his friend Annie and sister Bernadette, Obe learns about this new creature he calls Marvin Gardens

I love the idea of an animal that eats plastic...and has toxic poop! What a great example of how we try to solve our own ecology problems. Obe is kind of a wimp at the beginning but he grows on you, and grows up quite a bit too. ( )

Obe is a cool, kind, independent thinking kid. He has frequent bloody noses which he attributes to being sucker punched during a turf war. The farmland that once belonged to his family has shrunk. Flashbacks to 100 years ago peppered intermittently throughout the book tell that tale. Obe meets Marvin Gardens, a brand new type of creature that appears to eat only plastic. He's friendly and the friend Obe needs in his life. He hangs out at the creek and learns about Marvin, slowly revealing his existence to friends and adults who might be able to help. A strong environmental and conservationist message. Took a while to get into but the book grew on me. ( )

A nice story of growing up, growing apart from friends, and staying true to yourself. A young boy named Obe finds a new species, and works to protect it. ( )