I Am the Walrus (The N.O.A.H. Files, #1)
by Neal Shusterman, Eric ElfmanAlso by this author: Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1), Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2), Challenger Deep
on April 11, 2023
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Humor
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Rating:
Eoin Colfer meets Rick Riordan—with a little Margaret Peterson Haddix sprinkled on top—in this hilarious new sci-fi series from award-winning authors Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman.
When fourteen-year-old Noah falls from the trees on his classmate Sahara, he doesn’t understand how, or why, he would have been up there. It’s just one more in a string of strange things happening to Noah lately. Like when he keels over and every muscle in his body freezes when confronted by bullies. And when he vanishes into the background at a moment he doesn’t want to be noticed. And when he unexpectedly blasts Sahara with a bird shriek while flapping his arms uncontrollably in the middle of a school dance. What does it all mean? And why do there suddenly seem to be so many mysterious people trying to kill him? Noah’s friend Ogden has an idea…but like all of Ogden’s ideas, it’s out there. Way out there…
Content Tags:
Perfect for readers who want:
- Pratchett-esque humor and writing (but for middle grade!)
- Action and adventure along the lines of Artemis Fowl
- Characters that are really out there (but still somehow relatable?)
- Fast-paced adventure
- Absurdity that ends up being plain funny
- Unexpected plot twists
Many thanks to the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
At this point, I have successfully resigned myself to the fact that I need to read anything and everything that Neal Shusterman writes. Can’t help it. Simple fact of life. Or my life, at least (such as it is). So when I spotted that he had a new middle grade book coming out with Eric Elfman, of course I needed to read it. Duh. The fact that it’s humor at a time when I really wanted something light was really only the cherry on top.
I Am The Walrus is a fast-paced, action-packed book where anything can (and will) happen, written in a humorous tone reminiscent of Terry Pratchett that kids will love.
This book is obviously not going to be for everyone, because it leads heavily into some absurd, unrealistic events (which is not only what makes it so fun but also, you know, fantasy). Still, it’s the sort of humor that I realize up front won’t work for everyone. Anyone who is a fan of books like Artemis Fowl and similar humor books, though, will recognize and enjoy the style! I sure did. Middle grade humor, for me, is always a treat, because it’s simply light-hearted and fun, and I Am The Walrus is no exception to that. It also happens to be jam-packed full of interesting characters and action, too.
When it comes to I Am The Walrus, the first book in the N.O.A.H. Files, expect the unexpected. If you have one takeaway from this review, it should be that.
Of course, I went into the story mostly blind, other than having seen the cover, so I actually had absolutely no expectations whatsoever, and it was delightful. Even if I’d had expectations, I doubt it would’ve compared to the book. I’m going to do my best in this review to not give too much away. Why? Because this book is absurd, but in the best possible way. The sort that keeps you trying to guess what’s going to happen next (and probably failing, honestly), but also the sort that catches you off-guard and drags a laugh out of you.
Yes, this book is, at times, absolutely random. And as someone with ADHD who is also highly random, I can appreciate that. In other words, if you’re looking for a serious read, this book isn’t for you. If you want something light-hearted and fun that’ll make you chuckle, pick this up.
“I get the feeling that you and normal don’t live in the same area code.”
Something isn’t quite right with Noah Prime. He just can’t quite put his finger on what it is.
Noah isn’t the first person to realize his weirdness. Though, to be fair, Noah isn’t the type to be the first person to realize anything. However, even he notices when he starts acting weird in high-stress situations. Who can blame him, though? Stress is . . . well . . . stressful. For Noah, it’s all downhill from there, though.
Again, I don’t want to delve too much into the details, because that’s half the fun of this book. Suffice it to say, Noah isn’t a regular preteen. He’s . . . something else. Now he just has to figure out what.
“Ogden, wrangle.”
It was their agreed-on code word for when Ogden got off-topic.
“Right,” Ogden said. “No matter what you call it, it’s psychological. Unless, of course, it’s not. Then it would be a brain tumor.”
“You’re not helping,” Noah snapped at him.
“You asked me a question, I gave you an answer. Don’t blame me, blame Google.”
As one might expect from a humor book, Noah and his friends (and family) have a delightful bit of charm in the way they banter, argue, and snark at each other.
The tone and writing style is, by far, my favorite thing about this book. It’s just so fun, filled with both absurd humor and dry humor, which paired really well together in this case. While the fast pace and action really carry the plot forward, it’s the humor that absolutely hooked me and had me wanting more. This was the perfect time for something light and funny, and I Am The Walrus delivered on that. Combine that with the action and all the unexpected surprises, and it’s a pretty quick, interesting read.
“I’m more of a cat person.”
“Yes, I sense that about you. Although I’d think you were more the type to drown kittens rather than keep them.”
Though Noah takes center stage in this book, there are quite a few characters, many whose perspectives we get, and they all bring something interesting and unique to the table.
Since Noah is such a character, it makes sense that he’d be surrounded by other equally interesting characters. Otherwise, he’d outshine them far too quickly, wouldn’t he? Not to fear on that part, though.
Take Noah’s best friend, for instance. Ogden is, for lack of a better word, a genius. Also heavily into really weird, random conspiracy theories (though, as it turns out, not always entirely wrong, no matter how absurd). His sort-of-crush Sahara also comes along for the ride, and she’s one determined, head-strong girl who’s just trying to make sense of the world around her (and aren’t we all?). Together, they make a rather interesting (if not quite entirely capable) trio.
“I’m not sure,” Ogden said. “Further research is necessary.”
That didn’t bode well, because when Ogden did research, pain was usually involved, only some of it accidental.
About Eric Elfman
Eric Elfman is the author of fourteen books for kids and adults, including Tesla’s Attic, Edison’s Alley and Hawking’s Hallway (all co-written with Neal Shusterman), an award-winning Middle Grade series from Disney-Hyperion Books. Eric and Neal are now developing a TV series based on Tesla’s Attic Eric’s Almanac of the Gross, Disgusting & Totally Repulsive, from Random House (now in its 6th printing), was named an ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers. As a screenwriter, Eric has sold projects to Dreamworks, Universal, Walden Media and Interscope. Eric is also a private writing coach, with a number of award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors among his clients.
About Neal Shusterman
Neal Shusterman is the New York Times best-selling author of over thirty novels for children, teens,and adults. He won the 2015 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature for ChallengerDeep-and his novel, Scythe, was a 2017 Michael L. Printz Honorbook-and is in development withUniversal Studios as a feature film. His novel, Unwind, has become part of the literary canon in manyschool districts across the country-and has won more than thirty domestic and international awards.He co-wrote his mostrecent novel, Dry, with his son Jarrod, and in addition to being on numerousaward lists, Dry is currently in development with Paramount Pictures. His upcoming novel, GameChanger, is in development with Netflix as a TV series, and he is co-writing the pilot episode.
You can find the full tour schedule and information here.
April 10th
The Book Dutchesses – Interview
April 11th
Epic Book Society – Promotional Post
The Bookwyrm’s Den – Review
April 12th
Charli’s Book Box – Promotional Post
April 13th
The Someday librarian – Interview, Top 5 Reasons to Read I Am the Walrus
April 14th
Kait Plus Books – Promotional Post
April 15th
Confessions of a YA Reader – Promotional Post
PopTheButterfly Reads – Review
April 16th
Stuck in Fiction – Interview
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This sounds like such a fun read! I will have to look into it some more and probably put it on my TBR.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
Hope you get a chance to read it! It was so much fun!
Wow, this sounds like such a fun read! I love books that are action-packed and full of unexpected plot twists. The fact that it’s a middle grade book with a humorous tone is just the cherry on top. Thanks for the great review, Sammie!
Definitely a fun read!