"Time travel, cavemen, laughs, and a perfectly paced manual on story creation. Children's performing group the Story Pirates chose 11-year-old writer Vince Boberski's idea for a book and handed it to Rodkey, who turns it into the tale of a janitor named Tom Edison (not that one) who dreams of becoming a scientist (despite an H in Physics). After a time-machine accident, Tom and shy, brilliant scientist Dr. Marisa Morice are trapped in the Stone Age with sabretooth-tiger-worshipping cavemen. How will they get back to their own time? At key points in the tale, cartoon versions of a Story Pirate and Boberski break in with a question about a story element. Readers can continue with the story or flip to a specified section of the "Story Creation Zone" that makes up the final quarter of the volume. The narrative of Tom and Marisa's adventure is sarcastic, funny, and entertaining enough to interest on its own, and the short (and also funny) instructional lessons on character creation, story setting, plot twists, climax building, and story endings are pitched to pique interest and get the creative juices flowing. Aly's cartoon illustrations will add a giggle or two or three. Marisa appears to be black and Tom white, and naming conventions point to a diverse supporting cast. A must for young writers (even those not interested in sci-fi) and a fab, fun writing manual for writing teachers everywhere."
-- Kirkus Reviews, **STARRED REVIEW**
"Jam-packed with both writing advice and jokes... this two-for-one tale is as smart as it is entertaining."
-- Publishers Weekly, **STARRED REVIEW**
What an amazing read, full of bizarre kid logic and fun, and brought to life with the usual care & empathy that the Story Pirates always show to young writers!
-- Patton Oswalt, Emmy and Grammy award winning actor and stand-up comedian
Do you want to laugh? Or get yanked into a nonstop, page-turning adventure? Or be inspired to write your own story? Or maybe you want to eat a double stack cheeseburger with onion rings? Okay, if it’s any of the first three, then this is the bookfor you. If it’s the last one—sorry, we can’t help you there.
-- Adam Gidwitz, best-selling author of A Tale Dark and Grimm and the Newbery Honor-winning The Inquisitor’s Tale
So zany and imaginative, it's no surprise an actual kid inspired it. You'll laugh a lot—and learn a lot, too.
-- Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever
