Author: Darrell Pitt
Publisher: Text Publishing
ISBN: 1925095762
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 286
Book Description
For fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams comes a hilarious new space and time adventure. The year is 2509 and Earth is a rather polluted blue dot that suffers from global warming, overpopulation and not enough people using deodorant. Blake Carter, star agent with the Planetary Bureau of Investigation, isn’t having a good day. First he’s beaten up by a bunch of religious zealots, and then he’s assigned a robot—sorry, cyborg—as his new partner, right before his ex-wife calls to tell him his daughter has gone missing. His car keeps criticising his driving, and finally, to top things off, the world is held to ransom by his nemesis, evil genius Bartholomew Badde. Can things get any worse? Yes! Darrell Pitt began his lifelong appreciation of Victorian literature when he read Sherlock Holmes stories as a child, quickly moving on to H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. This early reading led to a love of comics, science fiction and all things geeky. Darrell is the author of A Toaster on Mars and the Jack Mason Adventures, a series of five novels including The Firebird Mystery (a Notable book int he 2015 CBCA awards) and, most recently, The Lost Sword. He lives in Melbourne. ‘The adventures of Blake Carter and Nicky Steel, along with commentary by editor Zeeb Blatsnart, bring a lighthearted science fiction story to life. A Toaster on Mars is a laugh-out-loud and thoroughly enjoyable read!’ Melanie Nemer, Austrek President ‘This is a fun, exuberant book to read which sees the main character, Blake Carter, on a non-stop race around the solar system ending up on the titular Mars (Carter on Mars anyone?)...The book is an obvious homage to Douglas Adams but is not slavish in its interpretation and what I really liked, as an SF fan, was picking up on all the other SF references in the story. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of an immersive 3D version of Plan Nine from Outer Space...4.23657 toasters out of 5.’ Dallas Jones, Doctor Who Club of Australia ‘This novel crackels with wit...the fun doesn’t let up.’ Reading Time ‘Upper Primary and Lower Secondary students who appreciate the ridiculous will enjoy this fast paced book with its zany sense of humour. There is nothing subtle about the irony in the novel which creates many laugh-out-loud moments.’ ReadPlus ‘This pseudo-science-fiction book provides laughs of all types: readers will progress from snickers to giggles to, finally, belly laughs and shouts of outrage...puns, shaggy dog stories, snarky remarks, and hoaxes are just a few of the humorous elements used expertly here.’ Kirkus Reviews ‘A jaded (some might say washed up), hardened investigator with a twelve-year-old is an unusual narrator for a YA tale, but Australian author Pitt pulls it off with aplomb...It’s not quite Douglas Adams amounts of interstellar wonkiness, but given the fact that there’s a sentient Swiss cheese sandwich threatening their lives at one point, it comes close’ Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books ‘A manic caper full of talking cards, espionage blunders, Brady Bunch psychosis, and comedic interjections from the book’s fictional editor, as Carter and his partner travel from the depths of the Mariana Trench all the way to Mars (where, spoiler alert, there are no toasters). Packed with references to contemporary culture, this satirical, quirky sci-fi adventure might appeal to fans of Douglas Adams’ well-loved Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’ Booklist ‘The adventure begins and holds its own in a tale full of jokes, puns and carnivorous sandwiches, yes, really. A comic tale that doesn’t disappoint, curl up with a cuppa and a sandwich (if you dare!) and enjoy...’ AND Guide ‘Works exceptionally well...I can’t wait to see what weird adventures are next in store for our heroes.’ Bookbag
The Brave Little Toaster
Author: Thomas M. Disch
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
ISBN:
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 88
Book Description
Feeling abandoned by their beloved master, a vacuum cleaner, tensor lamp, electric blanket, clock radio, and toaster undertake a long and arduous journey to find him in a faraway city.
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
ISBN:
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 88
Book Description
Feeling abandoned by their beloved master, a vacuum cleaner, tensor lamp, electric blanket, clock radio, and toaster undertake a long and arduous journey to find him in a faraway city.
A Toaster on Mars
Author: Darrell Pitt
Publisher: Text Publishing
ISBN: 1925095762
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 286
Book Description
For fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams comes a hilarious new space and time adventure. The year is 2509 and Earth is a rather polluted blue dot that suffers from global warming, overpopulation and not enough people using deodorant. Blake Carter, star agent with the Planetary Bureau of Investigation, isn’t having a good day. First he’s beaten up by a bunch of religious zealots, and then he’s assigned a robot—sorry, cyborg—as his new partner, right before his ex-wife calls to tell him his daughter has gone missing. His car keeps criticising his driving, and finally, to top things off, the world is held to ransom by his nemesis, evil genius Bartholomew Badde. Can things get any worse? Yes! Darrell Pitt began his lifelong appreciation of Victorian literature when he read Sherlock Holmes stories as a child, quickly moving on to H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. This early reading led to a love of comics, science fiction and all things geeky. Darrell is the author of A Toaster on Mars and the Jack Mason Adventures, a series of five novels including The Firebird Mystery (a Notable book int he 2015 CBCA awards) and, most recently, The Lost Sword. He lives in Melbourne. ‘The adventures of Blake Carter and Nicky Steel, along with commentary by editor Zeeb Blatsnart, bring a lighthearted science fiction story to life. A Toaster on Mars is a laugh-out-loud and thoroughly enjoyable read!’ Melanie Nemer, Austrek President ‘This is a fun, exuberant book to read which sees the main character, Blake Carter, on a non-stop race around the solar system ending up on the titular Mars (Carter on Mars anyone?)...The book is an obvious homage to Douglas Adams but is not slavish in its interpretation and what I really liked, as an SF fan, was picking up on all the other SF references in the story. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of an immersive 3D version of Plan Nine from Outer Space...4.23657 toasters out of 5.’ Dallas Jones, Doctor Who Club of Australia ‘This novel crackels with wit...the fun doesn’t let up.’ Reading Time ‘Upper Primary and Lower Secondary students who appreciate the ridiculous will enjoy this fast paced book with its zany sense of humour. There is nothing subtle about the irony in the novel which creates many laugh-out-loud moments.’ ReadPlus ‘This pseudo-science-fiction book provides laughs of all types: readers will progress from snickers to giggles to, finally, belly laughs and shouts of outrage...puns, shaggy dog stories, snarky remarks, and hoaxes are just a few of the humorous elements used expertly here.’ Kirkus Reviews ‘A jaded (some might say washed up), hardened investigator with a twelve-year-old is an unusual narrator for a YA tale, but Australian author Pitt pulls it off with aplomb...It’s not quite Douglas Adams amounts of interstellar wonkiness, but given the fact that there’s a sentient Swiss cheese sandwich threatening their lives at one point, it comes close’ Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books ‘A manic caper full of talking cards, espionage blunders, Brady Bunch psychosis, and comedic interjections from the book’s fictional editor, as Carter and his partner travel from the depths of the Mariana Trench all the way to Mars (where, spoiler alert, there are no toasters). Packed with references to contemporary culture, this satirical, quirky sci-fi adventure might appeal to fans of Douglas Adams’ well-loved Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’ Booklist ‘The adventure begins and holds its own in a tale full of jokes, puns and carnivorous sandwiches, yes, really. A comic tale that doesn’t disappoint, curl up with a cuppa and a sandwich (if you dare!) and enjoy...’ AND Guide ‘Works exceptionally well...I can’t wait to see what weird adventures are next in store for our heroes.’ Bookbag
Publisher: Text Publishing
ISBN: 1925095762
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 286
Book Description
For fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams comes a hilarious new space and time adventure. The year is 2509 and Earth is a rather polluted blue dot that suffers from global warming, overpopulation and not enough people using deodorant. Blake Carter, star agent with the Planetary Bureau of Investigation, isn’t having a good day. First he’s beaten up by a bunch of religious zealots, and then he’s assigned a robot—sorry, cyborg—as his new partner, right before his ex-wife calls to tell him his daughter has gone missing. His car keeps criticising his driving, and finally, to top things off, the world is held to ransom by his nemesis, evil genius Bartholomew Badde. Can things get any worse? Yes! Darrell Pitt began his lifelong appreciation of Victorian literature when he read Sherlock Holmes stories as a child, quickly moving on to H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. This early reading led to a love of comics, science fiction and all things geeky. Darrell is the author of A Toaster on Mars and the Jack Mason Adventures, a series of five novels including The Firebird Mystery (a Notable book int he 2015 CBCA awards) and, most recently, The Lost Sword. He lives in Melbourne. ‘The adventures of Blake Carter and Nicky Steel, along with commentary by editor Zeeb Blatsnart, bring a lighthearted science fiction story to life. A Toaster on Mars is a laugh-out-loud and thoroughly enjoyable read!’ Melanie Nemer, Austrek President ‘This is a fun, exuberant book to read which sees the main character, Blake Carter, on a non-stop race around the solar system ending up on the titular Mars (Carter on Mars anyone?)...The book is an obvious homage to Douglas Adams but is not slavish in its interpretation and what I really liked, as an SF fan, was picking up on all the other SF references in the story. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of an immersive 3D version of Plan Nine from Outer Space...4.23657 toasters out of 5.’ Dallas Jones, Doctor Who Club of Australia ‘This novel crackels with wit...the fun doesn’t let up.’ Reading Time ‘Upper Primary and Lower Secondary students who appreciate the ridiculous will enjoy this fast paced book with its zany sense of humour. There is nothing subtle about the irony in the novel which creates many laugh-out-loud moments.’ ReadPlus ‘This pseudo-science-fiction book provides laughs of all types: readers will progress from snickers to giggles to, finally, belly laughs and shouts of outrage...puns, shaggy dog stories, snarky remarks, and hoaxes are just a few of the humorous elements used expertly here.’ Kirkus Reviews ‘A jaded (some might say washed up), hardened investigator with a twelve-year-old is an unusual narrator for a YA tale, but Australian author Pitt pulls it off with aplomb...It’s not quite Douglas Adams amounts of interstellar wonkiness, but given the fact that there’s a sentient Swiss cheese sandwich threatening their lives at one point, it comes close’ Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books ‘A manic caper full of talking cards, espionage blunders, Brady Bunch psychosis, and comedic interjections from the book’s fictional editor, as Carter and his partner travel from the depths of the Mariana Trench all the way to Mars (where, spoiler alert, there are no toasters). Packed with references to contemporary culture, this satirical, quirky sci-fi adventure might appeal to fans of Douglas Adams’ well-loved Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’ Booklist ‘The adventure begins and holds its own in a tale full of jokes, puns and carnivorous sandwiches, yes, really. A comic tale that doesn’t disappoint, curl up with a cuppa and a sandwich (if you dare!) and enjoy...’ AND Guide ‘Works exceptionally well...I can’t wait to see what weird adventures are next in store for our heroes.’ Bookbag
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
Author: Thomas M. Disch
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780385241625
Category : Electric toasters
Languages : en
Pages : 72
Book Description
A group of angry appliances, having fled to Mars to avoid becoming obsolete, now plans to take over the Earth, unless the Brave Little Toaster can stop the invasion.
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780385241625
Category : Electric toasters
Languages : en
Pages : 72
Book Description
A group of angry appliances, having fled to Mars to avoid becoming obsolete, now plans to take over the Earth, unless the Brave Little Toaster can stop the invasion.
Lost on Mars
Author: Paul Magrs
Publisher: Firefly Press
ISBN: 1910080233
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 275
Book Description
With the scale and scope of a great sci-fi epic, this is the story of Lora and her family, third generation settlers on the red planed, who are struggling to survive o a smallholding in the desert landscape, surviving storms and sinister rumours of unexplained disappearances - until one night Lora sees the Dancers. When her father and grandmother disappear, Lora and her family are driven out to seek a new life across the plains. But none of them are ready for what they find - the beautiful and dangerous City Inside.
Publisher: Firefly Press
ISBN: 1910080233
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 275
Book Description
With the scale and scope of a great sci-fi epic, this is the story of Lora and her family, third generation settlers on the red planed, who are struggling to survive o a smallholding in the desert landscape, surviving storms and sinister rumours of unexplained disappearances - until one night Lora sees the Dancers. When her father and grandmother disappear, Lora and her family are driven out to seek a new life across the plains. But none of them are ready for what they find - the beautiful and dangerous City Inside.
Destination Mars
Author: Rod Pyle
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1616145900
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 455
Book Description
In the next decade, NASA, by itself and in collaboration with the European Space Agency, is planning a minimum of four separate missions to Mars. Clearly, exciting times are ahead for Mars exploration. This is an insider’s look into the amazing projects now being developed here and abroad to visit the legendary red planet. Drawing on his contacts at NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the author provides stunning insights into the history of Mars exploration and the difficulties and dangers of traveling there. After an entertaining survey of the human fascination with Mars over the centuries, the author offers an introduction to the geography, geology, and water processes of the planet. He then briefly describes the many successful missions by NASA and others to that distant world. But failure and frustration also get their due. As the author makes clear, going to Mars is not, and never will be, easy. Later in the book, he describes in detail what each upcoming mission will involve. In the second half of the book, he offers the reader a glimpse inside the world of Earth-based "Mars analogs," places on Earth where scientists are conducting research in hostile environments that are eerily "Martian." Finally, he constructs a probable scenario of a crewed expedition to Mars, so that readers can see how earlier robotic missions and human Earth simulations will fit together. All this is punctuated by numerous firsthand interviews with some of the finest Mars explorers of our day, including Stephen Squyres (Mars Exploration Rover), Bruce Murray (former director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory), and Peter Smith (chief of the Mars Phoenix Lander and the upcoming OSIRIS-REx missions). These stellar individuals give us an insider’s view of the difficulties and rewards of roaming the red planet. The author’s infectious enthusiasm and firsthand knowledge of the international space industry combine to make a uniquely appealing and accessible book about Mars.
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1616145900
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 455
Book Description
In the next decade, NASA, by itself and in collaboration with the European Space Agency, is planning a minimum of four separate missions to Mars. Clearly, exciting times are ahead for Mars exploration. This is an insider’s look into the amazing projects now being developed here and abroad to visit the legendary red planet. Drawing on his contacts at NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the author provides stunning insights into the history of Mars exploration and the difficulties and dangers of traveling there. After an entertaining survey of the human fascination with Mars over the centuries, the author offers an introduction to the geography, geology, and water processes of the planet. He then briefly describes the many successful missions by NASA and others to that distant world. But failure and frustration also get their due. As the author makes clear, going to Mars is not, and never will be, easy. Later in the book, he describes in detail what each upcoming mission will involve. In the second half of the book, he offers the reader a glimpse inside the world of Earth-based "Mars analogs," places on Earth where scientists are conducting research in hostile environments that are eerily "Martian." Finally, he constructs a probable scenario of a crewed expedition to Mars, so that readers can see how earlier robotic missions and human Earth simulations will fit together. All this is punctuated by numerous firsthand interviews with some of the finest Mars explorers of our day, including Stephen Squyres (Mars Exploration Rover), Bruce Murray (former director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory), and Peter Smith (chief of the Mars Phoenix Lander and the upcoming OSIRIS-REx missions). These stellar individuals give us an insider’s view of the difficulties and rewards of roaming the red planet. The author’s infectious enthusiasm and firsthand knowledge of the international space industry combine to make a uniquely appealing and accessible book about Mars.
Maniac Magee (Newbery Medal Winner)
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0316333506
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
A Newbery Medal winning modern classic about a racially divided small town and a boy who runs. Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn't made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0316333506
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
A Newbery Medal winning modern classic about a racially divided small town and a boy who runs. Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn't made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.
The Right Kind of Crazy
Author: Adam Steltzner
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1591846927
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 258
Book Description
Adam Steltzner is no ordinary engineer. His path to leadership was about as unlikely as they come. A child of beatnik parents, he barely made it through school. He blew off college in favour of work at a health food store and playing bass in a band, but after discovering an astonishing gift for maths and physics, he ended up helping a group of scientists land the heaviest rover in the history of space exploration on Mars. This is the story of the teamwork, drama and extraordinary feats of innovation at the Jet Propulsion Lab that culminated in that landing in 2012.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1591846927
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 258
Book Description
Adam Steltzner is no ordinary engineer. His path to leadership was about as unlikely as they come. A child of beatnik parents, he barely made it through school. He blew off college in favour of work at a health food store and playing bass in a band, but after discovering an astonishing gift for maths and physics, he ended up helping a group of scientists land the heaviest rover in the history of space exploration on Mars. This is the story of the teamwork, drama and extraordinary feats of innovation at the Jet Propulsion Lab that culminated in that landing in 2012.
The Design and Engineering of Curiosity
Author: Emily Lakdawalla
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331968146X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 408
Book Description
This book describes the most complex machine ever sent to another planet: Curiosity. It is a one-ton robot with two brains, seventeen cameras, six wheels, nuclear power, and a laser beam on its head. No one human understands how all of its systems and instruments work. This essential reference to the Curiosity mission explains the engineering behind every system on the rover, from its rocket-powered jetpack to its radioisotope thermoelectric generator to its fiendishly complex sample handling system. Its lavishly illustrated text explains how all the instruments work -- its cameras, spectrometers, sample-cooking oven, and weather station -- and describes the instruments' abilities and limitations. It tells you how the systems have functioned on Mars, and how scientists and engineers have worked around problems developed on a faraway planet: holey wheels and broken focus lasers. And it explains the grueling mission operations schedule that keeps the rover working day in and day out.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331968146X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 408
Book Description
This book describes the most complex machine ever sent to another planet: Curiosity. It is a one-ton robot with two brains, seventeen cameras, six wheels, nuclear power, and a laser beam on its head. No one human understands how all of its systems and instruments work. This essential reference to the Curiosity mission explains the engineering behind every system on the rover, from its rocket-powered jetpack to its radioisotope thermoelectric generator to its fiendishly complex sample handling system. Its lavishly illustrated text explains how all the instruments work -- its cameras, spectrometers, sample-cooking oven, and weather station -- and describes the instruments' abilities and limitations. It tells you how the systems have functioned on Mars, and how scientists and engineers have worked around problems developed on a faraway planet: holey wheels and broken focus lasers. And it explains the grueling mission operations schedule that keeps the rover working day in and day out.
Dave Barry Is from Mars and Venus
Author: Dave Barry
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0345425782
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 274
Book Description
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, bestselling author, and Wheel of Fortune contestant Dave Barry exposes the shattering truth. Whether he's splashing with the U.S. sychronized swim team ("Picture a bunch of elegant swans swimming with a flailing sea cow") or reliving the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving ("We've decided to obliterate your culture, but first may we try the stuffing?"), Dave Barry proves that one man can make a difference--by having the guts to answer the questions few people bother to ask: ¸ What makes people want to eat animals they would never consider petting? ¸ Where do the World's Three Most Boring People meet? ¸ Why is Colorado freezing so many human gonads? ¸ And just how does Oprah have the power to turn a 1957 Hotpoint toaster manual into a #1 bestseller?
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0345425782
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 274
Book Description
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, bestselling author, and Wheel of Fortune contestant Dave Barry exposes the shattering truth. Whether he's splashing with the U.S. sychronized swim team ("Picture a bunch of elegant swans swimming with a flailing sea cow") or reliving the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving ("We've decided to obliterate your culture, but first may we try the stuffing?"), Dave Barry proves that one man can make a difference--by having the guts to answer the questions few people bother to ask: ¸ What makes people want to eat animals they would never consider petting? ¸ Where do the World's Three Most Boring People meet? ¸ Why is Colorado freezing so many human gonads? ¸ And just how does Oprah have the power to turn a 1957 Hotpoint toaster manual into a #1 bestseller?
Feed
Author: M. T. Anderson
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN: 0763651559
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 311
Book Description
Identity crises, consumerism, and star-crossed teenage love in a futuristic society where people connect to the Internet via feeds implanted in their brains. Winner of the LA Times Book Prize. For Titus and his friends, it started out like any ordinary trip to the moon - a chance to party during spring break and play around with some stupid low-grav at the Ricochet Lounge. But that was before the crazy hacker caused all their feeds to malfunction, sending them to the hospital to lie around with nothing inside their heads for days. And it was before Titus met Violet, a beautiful, brainy teenage girl who knows something about what it’s like to live without the feed-and about resisting its omnipresent ability to categorize human thoughts and desires. Following in the footsteps of George Orwell, Anthony Burgess, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., M. T. Anderson has created a brave new world - and a hilarious new lingo - sure to appeal to anyone who appreciates smart satire, futuristic fiction laced with humor, or any story featuring skin lesions as a fashion statement.
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN: 0763651559
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 311
Book Description
Identity crises, consumerism, and star-crossed teenage love in a futuristic society where people connect to the Internet via feeds implanted in their brains. Winner of the LA Times Book Prize. For Titus and his friends, it started out like any ordinary trip to the moon - a chance to party during spring break and play around with some stupid low-grav at the Ricochet Lounge. But that was before the crazy hacker caused all their feeds to malfunction, sending them to the hospital to lie around with nothing inside their heads for days. And it was before Titus met Violet, a beautiful, brainy teenage girl who knows something about what it’s like to live without the feed-and about resisting its omnipresent ability to categorize human thoughts and desires. Following in the footsteps of George Orwell, Anthony Burgess, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., M. T. Anderson has created a brave new world - and a hilarious new lingo - sure to appeal to anyone who appreciates smart satire, futuristic fiction laced with humor, or any story featuring skin lesions as a fashion statement.