Gratuity "Tip" Tucci doesn't see why her mom won't let a 13-year-old who saved the world take an off-planet vacation. Two years after saving the world in The True Meaning of Smekday (2007), biracial Tip and her extraterrestrial best friend, J.Lo, need a holiday. They jet off to New Boovworld (otherwise known as Saturn's moon Titan) in Slushious, their flying car. J.Lo's wanted on New Boovworld for his part in the near-destruction of Earth two years ago, but he's sure everything will be fine if he just explains things to the HighBoov-for-life, Capt. Smek. The situation on New Boovworld is complicated: The Boov are holding elections for HighBoov. In election season, every politician loves an enemy of the state, and so J.Lo is recast as the Squealer, condemned to imprisonment in eternal silence. Only Tip can save him, with the help of a bubble-blowing bee named Bill, Funsize the garbage man and the imagined ghost of her old friend the Chief. It's a little less quirky than the last adventure (the Boov's seven magnificent genders are paid lip service, with important characters either male or female and even following Earth stereotypes), but still, plenty of gleeful ridiculousness adorns this outing, which is illustrated with Rex's own fanciful comics. The book is out just in time for the release of the movie adaptation of Book 1 (as Home, due out spring 2015). This sequel shares the strengths of its predecessor: the loving friendship between Tip and J.Lo, the respect for the absurd, and the social consciences of the teen protagonist and her ET BFF. (Science fiction. 11-15) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In Rex's madcap follow-up to his alien invasion novel The True Meaning of Smekday (2007), 13-year-old Gratuity (aka Tip) agrees to take a secret trip with her alien friend, J.Lo, to Saturn to visit New Boovworld. A pariah for accidentally betraying the Boov during their invasion of Earth, J.Lo (a Boov himself) hopes to clear his name with their leader, Captain Smek. Almost immediately the plan backfires. Smek, who is in the midst of a political campaign, decides that capturing J.Lo would earn him more votes than pardoning him. An escape attempt separates the friends, leaving J.Lo in custody and Tip on the lam and on rescue detail. With the story narrated by Gratuity, humor abounds in her tone, the plot high jinks, the low gravity, and J.Lo's stumbling English: Ha! This is one of those humansjokes I do not get? Illustrations and comic spreads enhance the already entertaining narrative and add to its adventurous feel. Light political satire mixes with action, death rays, and time travel, making this book a smart, fun ride.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2014 Booklist

Having successfully saved her mother -- along with the world, humanskind, and an entire alien race -- Tip moves with her Boov friend, J.Lo, and the aforementioned mother to the Poconos. But Tip and J.Lo find this newfound domesticity and peace rather dull and decide to take a trip to New Boovworld (formerly known as Titan, Saturns largest moon). Upon arrival, they discover that the once-supreme leader, Captain Smek, has a revolution on his hands, and neither J.Lo nor Tip is safe. As in the first book (The True Meaning of Smekday, rev. 11/07), Rexs Boovs are outrageously funny (J.Lo, after saving a young woman from her Ugg boots: I thought they were anklewolvesWhy elsenow would a person wear fur with shortpants?). Turpins reading adds humanity to the hilarity, displaying the depth of every sentient creatures emotion in Rexs fabulously funny tale. sin gaetano (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 3-7-Tip Tucci's alien friend, J.Lo, regrets having alerted the Gorg that the Boov went to Earth, and he wants to make amends. Things don't go as planned. Smek is running for president in the first Boov election. To impress his fellow aliens, Smek denounces J.Lo and puts him under arrest. Tip escapes by jumping down a garbage chute where she meets Fun Size, a garbage collector and inventor. She frees J.Lo from prison, but clearing his name and getting home prove more challenging. This funny and frenetic offering can stand alone, but those who read The True Meaning of Smekday will derive more satisfaction. Narrator Bahni Turpin gives a fully voiced performance, distinguishing aliens with their unique Boovish inflections, but also creates myriad sound effects when characters are sucked in or spit out of alien mechanisms. VERDICT Fast paced and zany, this work will appeal to sci-fi fans and those who love action adventure and a good laugh.-C.A Fehmel, St. Louis County Library, MO © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Having saved the world in The True Meaning of Smekday (2007), Tip Tucci and her alien sidekick, J.Lo, decide to seek adventure on the new homeworld of the extraterrestrial Boov, located on a moon of Saturn. Upon their arrival on New Boovworld, Tip and J.Lo learn that the Boov are hosting their first democratic election and quickly get embroiled in the race for the Boov Oval Office. Captain Smek faces off against the human Dan Landry, who took credit for Tip and J.Lo's world-saving plot from the previous book. Rex's humorous wordplay and insightful satire remain on full display (on the whole enterprise of elections, J.Lo observes, "I have been watching the Americans. You like to think you decide things, but you only ever decide not to change. Because you are afrightened of change. You are the man who likes a big menu but always orders hamburgers"). Inventive language, a smart and resourceful heroine, and an unerring sense of fun all contribute to a playful, action-packed sequel. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.