April 1, 2001
Gr 4-6-Norbert, the nostril-dwelling alien who starred in The Nose from Jupiter (Tundra, 1998), is back, along with 13-year-old Alan, his former "host." Alan, who lives in Canada, is flying to New York City to visit his father. He is convinced the plane is about to crash and his seatmate, Frieda, a 14-year-old girl who is on her way home, is alternating between making fun of his clothes and accent and trouncing him at arm wrestling. When they finally land, Alan's Dad fails to show up at the airport and Frieda is nearly kidnapped by crooks who seem unusually interested in her wheelchair. Alan helps her escape and the two kids find themselves adrift in New York. In answer to Alan's cries for help, Norbert magically appears on the scene; he has now taken up residence in the nostril of a street mutt. After a dramatic trek across the city, the alien and earthlings uncover a crime ring masterminded by a shady Egyptologist whose underlings have smuggled an artifact into the country by hiding it in Frieda's wheelchair, and Norbert tricks him into admitting his guilt. The pacing is lively and the dialogue is brisk and humorous, with Norbert's sarcastic comments adding spice. Familiarity with the first book is helpful but not necessary. Readers who like their science fiction mixed with a touch of whimsy will appreciate this Pinkwateresque story.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
February 15, 2001
Gr. 3-6. Timid 13-year-old Alan Dingwall is traveling alone to New York City, where his father is to meet him at the airport. Seated beside him on the plane is Frieda Miller, 14, a sassy, city-smart New Yorker returning from one of many visits to doctors in Toronto. Even though Frieda's "legs are a mess," she doesn't let her wheelchair stop her. Unfortunately, when the teens arrive at the airport, smugglers who have hidden a valuable Egyptian artifact in Frieda's wheelchair greet them. Also in the airport is Sally, a stray dog whose nose has become the new home of Norbert, the diminutive alien from Jupiter first introduced in "Nose from Jupiter" (1998). A hilarious, exciting roller coaster of evasions, captures, and escapes ensues, as Frieda, Alan, Sally, and Norbert take on the crooks. Snappy dialogue, humor, and clever plotting provide a rollicking adventure, with a subtext reminding readers to be sensitive to the feelings, concerns, and abilities of others. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)