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Home Alone Novelizations #1
تنها در خانه ۱
كوين هفت ساله درون خانهشان تنهاست، قرار بود او به اتفاق اعضای خانوادهاش به مسافرت برود ولی به دلايلی از مسافرت بازمانده است. «مارو» و «هدی» منتظر فرصتی هستند تا از خانههایی كه ساكنانش به مسافرت رفتهاند دست به سرقت بزنند. خانهای که کوین ساکن آنجاست از قبل به وسیله آنها شناسایی شده است. آنها وارد عمل میشوند اما کوین به مقابله با آنها برمیخیزد که ماجراهای این داستان شرح این رویارویی است.
116 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
19 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Todd Strasser
224 books799 followersTodd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 17, 2021
"I made my family disappear," Kevin whispered (page 41).
AUTHOR'S WRITING STYLE: 5 stars!!!
Yay: Every thing is fun. The third-person perspective in past tenses is stupendously written for all ages. HOME ALONE is my top childhood movie of all time. I already lost count how many times I replayed it and laughed my lungs out. If you have loved it just the way I did, you will also love this book. It captures the heart and soul of the film itself. Nay: A number of dialogues are changed. One is the scene where Kevin's mom felt anxious while on a plane to Paris, she shouted "Kevin!" the moment she remembers what she left behind. In this book, when she remembers, she instead screamed "STOP THE PLANE."
CHARACTERS' DEVELOPMENT: 4 stars!!!
Yay: This is a family comedy during a Christmas season. Therefore, each member fairly meets the stereotype. There is a bully big brother, sisters who don't seem to care and caring parents who will do every thing they can to protect their youngest. Nay: However, Kevin is the only character who have shattered the walls. His character evolves in a way that you will realize that being young is not defined by your age. Your age is just a number. Your courage to face the most uncomfortable situation matters more.
PLOT: 5 stars!!!
Yay: The fun never stops in each chapter. It gives you the reason to read and read until you reach the last page. The secret recipe is its ability to mix family and Christmas without being too dramatic. You will laugh, and sometimes tear-up, while you learn. Nay: The first few chapters massively put an irrational stereotype to youngest members of the family as brat, lazy and stupid. This is wrong! Kevin is the star of story as he represents the positive unique side of being the youngest son.
AUTHOR'S WRITING STYLE: 5 stars!!!
Yay: Every thing is fun. The third-person perspective in past tenses is stupendously written for all ages. HOME ALONE is my top childhood movie of all time. I already lost count how many times I replayed it and laughed my lungs out. If you have loved it just the way I did, you will also love this book. It captures the heart and soul of the film itself. Nay: A number of dialogues are changed. One is the scene where Kevin's mom felt anxious while on a plane to Paris, she shouted "Kevin!" the moment she remembers what she left behind. In this book, when she remembers, she instead screamed "STOP THE PLANE."
CHARACTERS' DEVELOPMENT: 4 stars!!!
Yay: This is a family comedy during a Christmas season. Therefore, each member fairly meets the stereotype. There is a bully big brother, sisters who don't seem to care and caring parents who will do every thing they can to protect their youngest. Nay: However, Kevin is the only character who have shattered the walls. His character evolves in a way that you will realize that being young is not defined by your age. Your age is just a number. Your courage to face the most uncomfortable situation matters more.
PLOT: 5 stars!!!
Yay: The fun never stops in each chapter. It gives you the reason to read and read until you reach the last page. The secret recipe is its ability to mix family and Christmas without being too dramatic. You will laugh, and sometimes tear-up, while you learn. Nay: The first few chapters massively put an irrational stereotype to youngest members of the family as brat, lazy and stupid. This is wrong! Kevin is the star of story as he represents the positive unique side of being the youngest son.
February 8, 2022
This is not great literature, but I'm also not the target audience. I think kids would really enjoy this provided they're not familiar with the movie, but good luck finding one of those. This is based on the screenplay for the movie. A lot of improvements were made between the time that was written and the movie filmed, but the story is basically the same. The problem is that a story that involves a lot of slapstick works better in a visual format, and that's what you have here. Being a kids' book, the author can't add a lot of nuance for characterization, and whatnot, so he's kind of shackled. Add in the fantastic cast and John Williams' score, and the book doesn't have a chance in this contest. That doesn't mean I didn't like it; it just means the movie is better, and would be better even if the movie wasn't all that great, but it is great, so it's an impossible act to follow, and there you have it.
I just got this book a week or two ago, but my first introduction to its existence was in my seventh grade reading class. The teacher was going over entries in our monthly Arrow or Scholastic book catalog with us, came to this one, and read it with all the sarcasm she could muster and inserted a few snide comments. It was apparent to us that she thought the story was completely ridiculous and that we could do better by picking other books to purchase, yet her spiel was rather hilarious... I guess you had to be there. Since there are only 372 ratings on here right now (11/30/21), I'm willing to bet Scholastic didn't sell a whole lot of these, or that it wasn't a hit in book form, and that opinions may have been in line with those of my teacher's.
Anyway, the novelization does fill in a couple of plot holes, though. I always wondered why Kevin didn't just call the cops when he realized robbers were going to be coming after him. Turns out he thought about it, but was concerned they were going to arrest him for accidentally stealing the toothbrush earlier, and they were just laying in wait for him all over the neighborhood.
I'll say he's a criminal, little son of a bitch has my coat! I got that exact coat for Christmas in sixth grade in 1989, a year before the movie came out, so that makes me a trendsetter, thank you very much, and it's probably my favorite coat I've ever owned. It was awesome because the zipper went all the way up so the coat could cover your mouth and nose, and wasn't that just great at the bus stop in January?! It was quite tough and rugged, warm as could be, had an awesome plaid lining (with a matching scarf), tons of pockets all over the place with a couple even on the inside, and the hood unzipped down the middle so it could open up! I have no idea what the purpose of that last feature was, but it was cool. Mama was pretty smart about it too. It was a tad big the first year, but just right for seventh and maybe eighth grade, so I think I got three winters out of it. Plus, when it was a bit big, I could make my right arm disappear into the sleeve, spread my fingers to make the opening perfectly round, and suddenly I had an arm cannon which I used to demolish trees, bushes, passing cars, joggers, and anything else my 11-year-old self thought needed to be blown to hell on my way to the bus stop, or wherever. Couple that with the zipper that gave me a face shield over my mouth, and I was a frickin' Transformer! The coat isn't mentioned in detail in the book, so that alone makes the movie better.
Anyway, another thing I always wondered about was how Kevin cleaned the house. He doesn't make anywhere near as big a mess as he does in the movie, but still, that's some damn impressive cleaning for a seven-year-old (his age in the book) to do in just a couple of hours. I'd love to learn how he got the tar off the basement steps, and ice off the outdoor steps. I suppose everything else was doable, though those feathers would've been a pain, and I'm sure he just flat-out ruined the front door knob with the blow torch (which is what he used in book instead of a charcoal starter). And with all that cleaning, why didn't he find the gold tooth? He obviously swept and vacuumed.
And I just realized I'm now the same age John Candy was when he passed away... Bizarre.
Finally, in case you missed it, here's Macaulay Culkin's Google Assistant ad from a couple of years ago. I reckon defending the house would've been much easier had he had that back then, though it wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun.
Check out this book only if you feel like trying to find it, need some Christmas reading for December, and are a big fan of the movie which is the case for me. Hell, I have the bloody Lego McCallister house playset!
Which I've incorporated into my holiday decorating this year, though I modified it to fit. (The basement part on the side is supposed to go on the back of the house).
Open it up, and reenact just about any scene you want in the house. The amount of detail that went into this set is damn impressive. The floors even separate to make play easier, but since my camera sucks, just google it to see the details if you're interested.
The minifigs even made it onto this year's December calendar with Santa, Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim.
I'll also be crocheting a couple of Wet Bandit heads as soon as I can figure out what the hell the woman who made the pattern is saying in a couple of spots. (English doesn't seem to be her first language, and I suspect I'll have to do some trial and error or make up my own plan for Marv's hair and beard, because what she's telling me to do makes no sense at all).
Update, 2/7/22: Here they are. And ignore the Lego Probe Droid; he was just Kodak crashing.
So, yeah, I'm probably a fan. If the conditions I mention above don't apply, skip this book and just watch the movie. And this clip about how the whole thing could've gone drastically wrong for Kevin.
Keep the change, ya filthy animal.
I just got this book a week or two ago, but my first introduction to its existence was in my seventh grade reading class. The teacher was going over entries in our monthly Arrow or Scholastic book catalog with us, came to this one, and read it with all the sarcasm she could muster and inserted a few snide comments. It was apparent to us that she thought the story was completely ridiculous and that we could do better by picking other books to purchase, yet her spiel was rather hilarious... I guess you had to be there. Since there are only 372 ratings on here right now (11/30/21), I'm willing to bet Scholastic didn't sell a whole lot of these, or that it wasn't a hit in book form, and that opinions may have been in line with those of my teacher's.
Anyway, the novelization does fill in a couple of plot holes, though. I always wondered why Kevin didn't just call the cops when he realized robbers were going to be coming after him. Turns out he thought about it, but was concerned they were going to arrest him for accidentally stealing the toothbrush earlier, and they were just laying in wait for him all over the neighborhood.
I'll say he's a criminal, little son of a bitch has my coat! I got that exact coat for Christmas in sixth grade in 1989, a year before the movie came out, so that makes me a trendsetter, thank you very much, and it's probably my favorite coat I've ever owned. It was awesome because the zipper went all the way up so the coat could cover your mouth and nose, and wasn't that just great at the bus stop in January?! It was quite tough and rugged, warm as could be, had an awesome plaid lining (with a matching scarf), tons of pockets all over the place with a couple even on the inside, and the hood unzipped down the middle so it could open up! I have no idea what the purpose of that last feature was, but it was cool. Mama was pretty smart about it too. It was a tad big the first year, but just right for seventh and maybe eighth grade, so I think I got three winters out of it. Plus, when it was a bit big, I could make my right arm disappear into the sleeve, spread my fingers to make the opening perfectly round, and suddenly I had an arm cannon which I used to demolish trees, bushes, passing cars, joggers, and anything else my 11-year-old self thought needed to be blown to hell on my way to the bus stop, or wherever. Couple that with the zipper that gave me a face shield over my mouth, and I was a frickin' Transformer! The coat isn't mentioned in detail in the book, so that alone makes the movie better.
Anyway, another thing I always wondered about was how Kevin cleaned the house. He doesn't make anywhere near as big a mess as he does in the movie, but still, that's some damn impressive cleaning for a seven-year-old (his age in the book) to do in just a couple of hours. I'd love to learn how he got the tar off the basement steps, and ice off the outdoor steps. I suppose everything else was doable, though those feathers would've been a pain, and I'm sure he just flat-out ruined the front door knob with the blow torch (which is what he used in book instead of a charcoal starter). And with all that cleaning, why didn't he find the gold tooth? He obviously swept and vacuumed.
And I just realized I'm now the same age John Candy was when he passed away... Bizarre.
Finally, in case you missed it, here's Macaulay Culkin's Google Assistant ad from a couple of years ago. I reckon defending the house would've been much easier had he had that back then, though it wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun.
Check out this book only if you feel like trying to find it, need some Christmas reading for December, and are a big fan of the movie which is the case for me. Hell, I have the bloody Lego McCallister house playset!
Which I've incorporated into my holiday decorating this year, though I modified it to fit. (The basement part on the side is supposed to go on the back of the house).
Open it up, and reenact just about any scene you want in the house. The amount of detail that went into this set is damn impressive. The floors even separate to make play easier, but since my camera sucks, just google it to see the details if you're interested.
The minifigs even made it onto this year's December calendar with Santa, Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim.
I'll also be crocheting a couple of Wet Bandit heads as soon as I can figure out what the hell the woman who made the pattern is saying in a couple of spots. (English doesn't seem to be her first language, and I suspect I'll have to do some trial and error or make up my own plan for Marv's hair and beard, because what she's telling me to do makes no sense at all).
Update, 2/7/22: Here they are. And ignore the Lego Probe Droid; he was just Kodak crashing.
So, yeah, I'm probably a fan. If the conditions I mention above don't apply, skip this book and just watch the movie. And this clip about how the whole thing could've gone drastically wrong for Kevin.
Keep the change, ya filthy animal.
September 27, 2011
Famous book
Merged review:
Good, good, good.
Merged review:
Good, good, good.
September 22, 2009
Home alone is my favorite book and i want to read more of it i ould read for days and not get board of it. I think this book teaches you to be good and to listen to your parents and not to backsas.
I give this book five stars because it is the best book I have ever read.
I give this book five stars because it is the best book I have ever read.
April 28, 2017
Slapstick is better in movies.
December 29, 2024
I love the mix of insights you get to some of the characters perspectives, some little change ups that seem to be like former skript versions and little scenes that aren't in the movie but still flesh out some of the characters, while sticking pretty tight to the movie script and not describing too much (alias good pacing for a movie tie in book).
It's an easy afternoon read and feels similar to watching the movie. I'll rate it under this criteria because it achieved all it strived for, without making you feel like it was lacking something too serious.
It's an easy afternoon read and feels similar to watching the movie. I'll rate it under this criteria because it achieved all it strived for, without making you feel like it was lacking something too serious.
May 20, 2024
This is a very good book that has an iconic movie adaptation to it. I really love this book. It has a lot of fun and jokes included to it as Kevin Mcallester is trying to live on his own after being left home alone when his family goes of to vacation. I really liked reading this book even after reading and watching it more than ounce with my family. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fun books that are easy and heartwarming to read.
October 10, 2008
this book was fun and a boy named kevin he live's in a house with 40 people. his family goes on a trip ever year but he ends up lost. but he stays in a fancy hotel. he acidently steel his dads credit card.and thes people try to kidnapp him.
June 13, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read. There were differences between the movie and this book even though the book was based on the movie. Even with the differences, it was still enjoyable. But I have to say that the movie is way better! I absolutely love the movie.
Read
December 6, 2010nice
November 18, 2017
2.5 stars.
I love the movie this book is inspired by and I've watched it so many times in VHS. So I really wanted to own the novelization.
Honestly, this written version by Todd Strasser is quite different from the movie, like about characters' hair and other details; Kevin is blond!! The original is definitely better, and that's thanks to the way Kevin is treated by the family members. Here the reader is forced to believe that Kevin is a spoiled brat kid before the encounter with the two crooks. But he is a normal young kid and cute, actually. I can't understand the disdain toward him, brought further here.
But fortunately the ending is vaguely endearing in spite of everything.
November 19, 2023
Watching Home Alone is an integral part of Christmas in my house, it wouldn't be the same without it, so you can imagine my delight when I could read the story as well as watching it!
The book IS the movie minus the soundtrack and the antics of a super cute Culkin, but being such a popular film it was super easy to imagine those classic scenes.
There are several deleted scenes featured in the book and definitely more context with it being the written version.
The characters of the McAllister family and the Wet Bandits are brought to life between the pages, there's extra dialogue to make it more book rather than just reading like a script and I found it to be an enjoyable and highly entertaining quick read.
The book IS the movie minus the soundtrack and the antics of a super cute Culkin, but being such a popular film it was super easy to imagine those classic scenes.
There are several deleted scenes featured in the book and definitely more context with it being the written version.
The characters of the McAllister family and the Wet Bandits are brought to life between the pages, there's extra dialogue to make it more book rather than just reading like a script and I found it to be an enjoyable and highly entertaining quick read.
June 3, 2013
Im half way through the book now, and i really like this book. This book, Home Alone, is basically about a boy, Kevin. He's 7 years old and he gets left behind in his house. The rest of his family goes on vacation. While the whole family was supposed to be on vacation, two burgulers were going to rob the house. But not knowing Kevin got left behind finds them self in surprise.
I really like this book because I find it interesting and the suspense in the book is amazing.
When you start the book, you will not let it down until your done.
I really like this book because I find it interesting and the suspense in the book is amazing.
When you start the book, you will not let it down until your done.
September 7, 2018
The best $3 I ever drunkenly begged my husband to spend. Really addresses some plot holes. Shifting perspectives felt like some crafty camera work. Wish I could take stars from less deserving books to give it more.
July 21, 2010
TOTAL CLASSIC!
Read
December 6, 2010 good book
May 21, 2011
Fantastic!!!!!!!
Want to read
September 9, 2012nyce
September 18, 2012
really liked the movie. book was good too
November 3, 2012
Good Book ƪ(˘⌣˘)┐
May 2, 2013
It was a fantastic book
March 26, 2014
i love the book and the movie
Read
January 27, 2014Amazing story I can't missed this movie every year
March 14, 2017
This was a good book. but i actually must say on this one the movie is better as odd as that may seem
May 14, 2014
Amazing! As good as the movie.
May 25, 2014
I love that movie very much
December 20, 2014
Fancy seeing you here! This was the first film novelisation that I ever read, and I loved it.
August 5, 2015
hujnnnnn
March 3, 2016
226 - 2016
Nggak sengaja dapat ebooknya.
Nggak sengaja dapat ebooknya.
June 8, 2017
Fun idea for a book and the adventures of a boy who finds himself home alone and in for adventure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews