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Looniverse #2
Meltdown Madness
Looniverse #2 is even wackier than the first book! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Ed has to sell chocolate bars to raise money for his soccer team, but the bars have all melted. He must find another way to raise money--and fast! Ed uses his newfound ability to make strange things happen, but his plans go awry and Ed ends up needing money for the soccer team, his friend Mouse, AND two new windows! With surreal and funny antics throughout, the second book in this heavily illustrated early chapter book series is sure to keep kids laughing.
96 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2013
19 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
David Lubar
107 books244 followersDavid Lubar created a sensation with his debut novel, Hidden Talents, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Thousands of kids and educators across the country have voted Hidden Talents onto over twenty state lists. David is also the author of True Talents, the sequel to Hidden Talents; Flip, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror selection; several short story collections: In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, The Curse of the Campfire Weenies, The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies, and Attack of the Vampire Weenies; and the Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie series. Lubar grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, and he has also lived in New Brunswick, Edison and Piscataway, NJ, and Sacramento, CA. Besides writing, he has also worked as a video game programmer and designer. He now lives in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidl...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidl...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 30, 2018
In order to raise money for uniforms the soccer team, and be able to play Ed decides to sell chocolate bars, but when they all melt due to a strange and sudden rise in the temperature, Ed must find a way to sell them or pay out of his pocket for them. Things only get stranger, and Ed finds himself deeper in debt, but with a little help from his friends, Ed not only sells all of his chocolate, but has money left over to clear his debts. Several quotations are used throughout the story to give Ed his ideas.
August 30, 2017
I enjoyed this book because I liked the part when the lemonade was frozen, so the main character had a great idea. The great idea was ................selling hot chocolate instead. I also enjoyed this book I liked the part when he found four pennies and one quarter in the grass.
March 19, 2014
The thing that I like about mouse is that he can run really, really fast, at super speeds. The cool things about the doll heads is that every time they make the two girls make a different hair style, they made pig tails and pigs appeared, corn rows and corn appeared, and pony tails and a pony appeared. The cool thing about the gold hair is when Ed throws the doll head out the window it explodes.
August 20, 2018
Ed is trying to sell chocolate bars to make money so he can join the soccer team, but he keeps forgetting that he is the Strange one and his words do weird things to the world. It looks like he's never going to make any money, and may possibly even be in debt for life.
These books definitely read like a less creepy version of a Twilight Zone episode. Of course, all the weird things that happen to Ed and his friends and family make this exciting reading because you can't wait to find out what whacky thing will happen next. Definitely entertaining. Hand this one to lower grade readers with good imaginations.
These books definitely read like a less creepy version of a Twilight Zone episode. Of course, all the weird things that happen to Ed and his friends and family make this exciting reading because you can't wait to find out what whacky thing will happen next. Definitely entertaining. Hand this one to lower grade readers with good imaginations.
February 21, 2021
This is Book #2 in the Branches series called: “Looniverse.” Having never read the first book, I was still able to make sense out of the storyline and thought it was a cute read. I think the third graders in my class will enjoy it. The main character is a boy named Ed. He chooses to sell chocolate bars in order to raise money to join the soccer team. However, things go awry when all of his chocolate bars get melted. He found (in the first book of the series) a coin called the Silver Center, and must carry it around in his pocket, but now strange things always happen such as what happened with the chocolate. Lots of craziness ensues from here, but Ed eventually discovers a solution.
August 8, 2017
Silly and somewhat illogical, but great illustrations and a reminder that this will certainly appeal to a young reader.
March 1, 2021
The kid loved it. He could read it. It was quirky and funny like the first. A little over the top this time for me. Character still has his magic coin that makes words turn in to unexpected reality.
July 1, 2025
Pretty good problem solving.
February 16, 2014
The characters in this book are not developed well. I think I should have read book one to get the full picture of who is who, but someone checked it out of my library so I tried jumping into the series with book two. Boohoo. This book was a head-scratcher for me. The protagonist, Ed, can't play on the soccer team unless he sells a box of chocolate or wrapping paper. (I've never been at a school that has that requirement to play sports.) When Ed gets outside he realizes it's hot and tells his friend to run the box home, but his magical coin makes the boy run so fast he goes like a rocket, heating the candy to a liquid softness. Ed determines the bars are unsellable and he spends the rest of the story coming up with cockamamie ideas of how to earn enough money to buy the bars.
For a story to work, even with fantasy, there has to be some internal logic to the plot. This tale was missing that logic. First, kids aren't going to be excluded from sports because they can't sell a box of candy. It would have made more sense that the boy was selling candy as a fundraiser to go play soccer in a tournament. The next illogical notion is that Ed couldn't sell lumpy chocolate. I remember buying lumpy melted chocolate from my friends fundraising at school. I was so dang hungry I didn't care if it was melted, just like Ed's brother didn't care when he ate a piece. Even though it is illogical, the imaginative and silly side to the story will appeal to young readers.
As a character Ed doesn't give up and he is creative with his ideas of how to make money. He worries about how he speaks because his magical coin responds to his words in unexpected ways. When his sister is playing with her make-up and hairstyling doll head, he manages to let loose pigs and ponies from using the words, "pig-tails" and "ponytails." Ed doesn't show any internal struggles, but mainly external ones. The resolution and how his friend warmed up the milk was funny. A light-hearted illogical early reader.
For a story to work, even with fantasy, there has to be some internal logic to the plot. This tale was missing that logic. First, kids aren't going to be excluded from sports because they can't sell a box of candy. It would have made more sense that the boy was selling candy as a fundraiser to go play soccer in a tournament. The next illogical notion is that Ed couldn't sell lumpy chocolate. I remember buying lumpy melted chocolate from my friends fundraising at school. I was so dang hungry I didn't care if it was melted, just like Ed's brother didn't care when he ate a piece. Even though it is illogical, the imaginative and silly side to the story will appeal to young readers.
As a character Ed doesn't give up and he is creative with his ideas of how to make money. He worries about how he speaks because his magical coin responds to his words in unexpected ways. When his sister is playing with her make-up and hairstyling doll head, he manages to let loose pigs and ponies from using the words, "pig-tails" and "ponytails." Ed doesn't show any internal struggles, but mainly external ones. The resolution and how his friend warmed up the milk was funny. A light-hearted illogical early reader.
May 19, 2014
MoonShineArtSpot Review:
These beginning reader books are great for young new readers. My 8 year old son & I loved this book. It is so funny & full of good intention gone not just perfect. It is an incredibly funny read and the thought if a special magic coin making strange things just adds so much to a young one's imagination.
As a matter of fact our main character finds himself having to use his own imagination to solve all of the things that have gone wrong and earn enough money to be on the soccer team. Fun & action packed story of many mishaps.
Loved it!
Book Description:
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
Ed has to sell chocolate bars to raise money for his soccer team, but the bars have all melted. He must find another way to raise money--and fast! Ed uses his newfound ability to make strange things happen, but his plans go awry and Ed ends up needing money for the soccer team, his friend Mouse, AND two new windows! With surreal and funny antics throughout, the second book in this heavily illustrated early chapter book series is sure to keep kids laughing.
These beginning reader books are great for young new readers. My 8 year old son & I loved this book. It is so funny & full of good intention gone not just perfect. It is an incredibly funny read and the thought if a special magic coin making strange things just adds so much to a young one's imagination.
As a matter of fact our main character finds himself having to use his own imagination to solve all of the things that have gone wrong and earn enough money to be on the soccer team. Fun & action packed story of many mishaps.
Loved it!
Book Description:
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
Ed has to sell chocolate bars to raise money for his soccer team, but the bars have all melted. He must find another way to raise money--and fast! Ed uses his newfound ability to make strange things happen, but his plans go awry and Ed ends up needing money for the soccer team, his friend Mouse, AND two new windows! With surreal and funny antics throughout, the second book in this heavily illustrated early chapter book series is sure to keep kids laughing.
June 8, 2013
In this installment of the Looniverse series, Ed must sell 30 chocolate bars as part of being on the soccer team. Unfortunately, while the speedy older brother of his friend Moose runs home with the chocolate, it's so hot outside that they melt. Even putting them in the refrigerator doesn't help. Ed blames the problem on the silver coin he found since it seems to make strange things happen whenever he speaks. Young readers will enjoy all the animals that keep appearing in Ed's kitchen and his mother's confusion about why things such as corn keep appearing and disappearing. I didn't particularly enjoy this one, though, as things kept going wrong for Ed. Maybe that's because there just seemed to be too much silliness here.
July 7, 2013
My son received the 1st book in this series for his 7th birthday. We've been trying to encourage him to try reading chapter books by himself for a long time but he's always been reluctant. After listening to me read the 1st book to him, he couldn't wait to exchange the duplicate he'd received for his birthday for book #2 - Meltdown Madness. He then devoured it, all by himself, in 2 days.
These books are quirky, fun, original and obviously very motivating for the young reader. We can't wait for the next books in the series to be released!
These books are quirky, fun, original and obviously very motivating for the young reader. We can't wait for the next books in the series to be released!
January 27, 2014
Strangeness still surrounds Ed. He just wants to be on the soccer team, but he first has to sell 30 chocolate bars. Sounds easy, right? Not when your brother suddenly can control the weather and turns the heat waaaaay up! How is he supposed to sell melted and deformed chocolate bars? Maybe the guy at the new Curiosity Shop can help him? Or maybe things will just get worse? Read this second volume of Looniverse to find out. This is such a fun story for 1st-3rd graders. The illustrations are fun too!
July 11, 2013
Ed's magic coin grants his every desire-literally. He has to be really careful about what he says. It is so much fun to guess what will get confused: kind of like Amelia Bedelia. A very fun read that should appeal to every kid!
March 24, 2014
The 6-year-old has been reading this series to me and has been enjoying it. We plan to pick up the next book in the series during our next bookstore trip. While I do like this series, I don't find it as entertaining as the other Scholastic Branches series we have read: Boris and Notebook of Doom.
April 4, 2016
With his newfound powers Ed grabbed the attention of my reluctant reader and he read this book with a beautiful madness of his own. Fun and a good time all while learning more of the Stranger and his gifts. Highly recommended.
July 20, 2013
Better than the first in this series.
December 7, 2013
Fantastic children's book!
January 10, 2014
A second fun entry in the Looniverse series, again characterized by a quirky brand of silliness. A quick and accessible read.
September 3, 2016
Silly magical stuff keeps happening as Ed tries to make money to replace chocolate bars he was supposed to sell so he can be on the soccer team. Good beginning chapter book for boys.
January 13, 2016
Fantastic play on words. A bit "Amelia bedelia"-like.
January 26, 2016
N.K. 4 stars
May 20, 2021
It is one of the strangest book I read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews