Me and Marvin Gardens (Scholastic Gold)

Starred review from October 24, 2016
Obe Devlin, 11, lost his only friend when new kids moved into subdivisions named for the things their homes displaced—Pheasant’s Nest, Oak Trail, the Orchards—on farmland that once belonged to his family. A perceptive narrator, Obe finds solace at the creek that runs through the slice of property his parents still own, which is where he first spots a strange animal whose most notable feature is his diet: plastic litter. Obe, whose father employs a win-at-all-costs strategy during family Monopoly games, names the critter Marvin Gardens but keeps him a secret—which turns out to be an especially wise move once he realizes that the animal produces highly noxious (and possibly toxic) scat. King (Still Life with Tornado) leavens a story replete with brutal environmental facts with a magical friendship between a boy and his “pretty gross pet.” A provocative exploration of human action and interaction on both local and global levels, as well as the interplay between past, present, and future, King’s novel will leave readers pondering how we treat each other and the planet. Ages 8–12. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

October 1, 2016
King, who writes as A.S. King for teens, offers a mystical, fablelike tale for a younger audience.Obe (rhymes with lobe) has grown up on the only remaining creekside sliver of the century-plusold Devlin family farm, most of which his great-grandfather lost to his drinking habit 100 years before, a tale thats sketched in brief chapters that alternate with the white boys story. Alone by the creek, he discovers a remarkable creature, beagle-sized, hooved, and winsome. He calls it Marvin Gardens. Marvins most remarkable trait is what he eatsonly plastic. Since his best friend betrayed him months ago, Obe has mostly been on his own, and he keeps his discovery secret, although the subdivision thats being developed around the creek imperils Marvins safety. Its only after the animal is spotted by others, then shot with a paintball, that Obe confides in a trusted and kindly teacher. Although the environmental theme is pounded home with a somewhat heavy hand, the gently nuanced fantastical elements gain a neat believability as related in Obes genial, observant, and sweetly introspective narrative voice. Its just right for a sensitive sixth-grader with a growing self- and world awareness trying to navigate the troubled waters of uncertain friendships and demeaning bullying. A finely wrought, magical coming-of-age tale with a convincing message. (Fantasy. 9-14)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from December 1, 2016

Gr 3-7-Eleven-year-old Obe Devlin lives in the Pennsylvania farmhouse his family built 100 years ago. Unfortunately, his great-great-grandfather mortgaged more and more of the acreage that surrounded the house to pay for his alcohol addiction. On the small portion of land on which the house sits runs a creek surrounded by a wild area. In the habit of picking up trash from the creek, Obe comes across what he is sure is a new species of animal-a creature with a snout like a boar's, a body and tail like a dog's (yet with no fur or hair), and slimy algaelike skin. Marvin Gardens, Obe's name for the creature because of his dad's love of the board game Monopoly, eats only plastic. Obe soon discovers his new friend's poop may be toxic to the land on which new homes are being constructed. Intermingled with the obvious environmental message are the topics of betrayal and bullying, gender expectations, consent, and true friendship. King writes from personal experience, crafting a coming-of-age novel with a fully developed and authentic protagonist. VERDICT An emotionally rich read for a wide audience, especially those interested in keeping the planet alive and well for future generations.-D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2016
Grades 3-6 Sixth-grader Obe Devlin doesn't run with the popular crowd. He's more concerned with keeping his creek clean, finding rocks for busmate Annie Bell's collection, and not having nosebleeds all over his clothesa consequence of said unpopularity. Housing developments are rapidly, and upsettingly, encroaching on the acres of land that once belonged to the Devlin family, and Obe's one friend chooses to hang with the new kids. On a routine creek visit, Obe discovers a capybaralike animal that only eats plastic, which he names Marvin Gardens. Obe keeps Marvin a secret until neighborhood vandals threaten the creature's safety, prompting Obe to tap into his Devlin fierceness and take a stand. This is acclaimed YA author King's first foray into middle-grade territory, and it's no surprise that she adeptly handles issues like bullying, compromised friendship, complex family dynamics, and the tedium of homework. Obe's connection to the land courses through the book and is firmly rooted in Devlin family history. Drawing upon the tradition of Carl Hiaasen's Hoot (2002), this eco-focused story will tug at readers' consciences and heartstrings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

Starred review from January 1, 2017
The middle-grade debut of YA novelist A.S. King (Still Life with Tornado, rev. 9/16) was bound to be a little weird--and it is. It's also a smart, environmentally conscious underdog story with a lot of heart and a little sci-fi. Sixth-grader Obe lives with his parents and older sister at the edge of a massive housing development being built on land that once belonged to his mother's family, the Devlins. Obe is an outcast at school, nicknamed "the hippie" and bullied by his former best friend Tommy's new crew. While picking up trash from Devlin Creek, Obe spies a strange creature: "It was definitely not a dog. It was definitely not any animal I ever read aboutWhat was this thing?" Obe soon befriends the "animal/ creature/monster/thing" and names it Marvin Gardens. Marvin's favorite food is plastic, and its scat is toxic. When Tommy's gang gets wind of the creature, Obe realizes it's up to him to protect Marvin. Interspersed chapters flash back a century to the story of Obe's great-grandparents (his great-grandfather "drank 175 acres of Devlin land"), helping contextualize events. To a person (and a creature), the characters are rewardingly complex. Through Obe, King asks the Big Questions ("One hundred years from nowwould people live a different way--a way that helped the planet?") alongside the smaller, more personal ones (can Tommy be trusted?) in a way that will likely have readers doing the same. elissa gershowitz

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2017
The middle-grade debut of YA novelist A.S. King (Still Life with Tornado, rev. 9/16) was bound to be a little weird--and it is. It's also a smart, environmentally conscious underdog story with a lot of heart and a little sci-fi. Sixth-grader Obe lives with his parents and older sister at the edge of a massive housing development being built on land that once belonged to his mother's family, the Devlins. Obe is an outcast at school, nicknamed "the hippie" and bullied by his former best friend Tommy's new crew. While picking up trash from Devlin Creek, Obe spies a strange creature: "It was definitely not a dog. It was definitely not any animal I ever read aboutWhat was this thing?" Obe soon befriends the "animal/ creature/monster/thing" and names it Marvin Gardens. Marvin's favorite food is plastic, and its scat is toxic. When Tommy's gang gets wind of the creature, Obe realizes it's up to him to protect Marvin. Interspersed chapters flash back a century to the story of Obe's great-grandparents (his great-grandfather "drank 175 acres of Devlin land"), helping contextualize events. To a person (and a creature), the characters are rewardingly complex. Through Obe, King asks the Big Questions ("One hundred years from nowwould people live a different way--a way that helped the planet?") alongside the smaller, more personal ones (can Tommy be trusted?) in a way that will likely have readers doing the same. elissa gershowitz

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)