Squish #5: Game On!

Squish #5

by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm (Illustrator)

Introducing Squish—a hilarious, action packed graphic novel series from the award-winning creators of Babymouse! Filled with superheroes, comics within comics, and gross-out science, Squish is perfect for fans of Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants, Dan Gutman's Weird School, and Jarrett Krosoczka's Lunch Lady.

Beep! Beep! Squish can't get enough of his awesome new video game Mitosis! (Mitosis is what happens when cells divide. Who says video games can't be educational?) In fact, he may even be obsessed! He plays at home . . . at school. . . even in his sleep! Are video games taking over Squish's life?! And can Squish's favorite comic book hero, Super Amoeba, stop the Creeping Black Mold that's taking over Small Pond? Find out in Squish #5: Game On—saving the world, one cell at a time!

Yowza! You can draw comics, too! Look in the back to find out how to draw one of the Squish characters! Also includes instructions for a sensational science experiment you can do at home! Shazam!

Here's what people are saying about everyone's favorite amoeba!

New York Times:
"An energetic, good-hearted escapade, one that young readers will enjoy."

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews:
* "Hilarious. If ever a new series deserved to go viral, this one does."
 
The Bulletin:
"A perfect mix of writing that is simple enough for early readers but still remarkably snarky, clever, and entertaining. Kids will soak up the humor, tidbits of science instruction, and adventure."

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Middle Grade, Humor, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2013

About the author

Jennifer L. Holm is a USA TODAY and NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling children's author with nearly 10 million books in print. She is the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE and a Scott O'Dell Award for her novel FULL OF BEANS.

Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!

For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.

Reviews

[Colton]

i like how he got trap in a real video game

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2365

I love the Squish series. The series is so wonderful for many reasons, but I like them specifically because it balances humor, entertainment, and education. I also really like the characters, especially Squish, and one of the things I love about Squish is his love of comic books and his chosen hero, Super Amoeba. This book in the Squish series deals with a dilemma that many children face: books vs. video games and balancing time. Will Squish be able to fight the video game addiction?

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squish neglects his schoolwork because of his newfound obsession with a video game. I love that the Squish and Babymouse comics communicate important lessons without being too preachy. My students are going to be thrilled when I bring this one in tomorrow.

[Colby Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The masters, Jenni and Matt, team up again to bring us another graphic novel adventure that our students will fall in love with.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Squish: Game On! Is one in a lengthy series about an amoeba named Squish. Squish is a young student who loves comic books more than anything. When he’s not reading comics, he passes his time playing video games and hanging out with his two best friends, Pod and Peggy. In this story, Squish becomes obsessed with the latest video game, “Mitosis”. He begins playing it so much that it starts to take over his life. It gets to the point where he forgets to hand his book report on Moby Dick in on time. Luckily, his teacher understands and allows him to write a comic on the story to boost his grade.

Squish is an entertaining read for young readers. The vocabulary is simple, and there are not too many words on a page. However, some of the themes are a little complex. I would keep this book in a classroom for third graders and up. The book is personal and makes reader feel like Squish is speaking to and interacting with them. It also includes parts where it references specific science concepts (such as mitosis) and explains them. I think that this book is a good introduction to science, as well a comics and graphic novels. Many students will be able to relate to and enjoy this book.

[Wesley Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was squish, his birthday,🥳 and his friends got a video game so squish wanted to for his birthday so they went to the store and got a a video game. He was so addicted to it. He played it day and night and then and then I didn’t realize he was getting addicted to it so he stopped playing the game for a while and that was the end. You should read this book too. It was squish the Fifth game on.🪼🆒👾🤖👊🕶️🌓😄

[Oracle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop smiling while going through this book. Squish's new obsession routes him through a very awesomely FUN and HIGHLY enjoyable game. However, there's this thing called SCHOOL that he has to contend with as well. Will Squish find balance?? What level will he get to!? :D Extreme fun lies ahead, plug in and power on to this one. You're up for some cell-splitting fun. ;)

[Madison Dragonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great graphic novel. It talked about the importance of finishing your schoolwork before playing videogames. It also talked about what could happen if a person chooses to put their videogames before their schoolwork, and how they could fall behind.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how the Super Amoeba comic that Squish reads is related to his current dilemma. It was funny that he became obsessed with the "Mitosis" game MORE than a comic con - which had to laugh since the writers made a cameo within their own book. :)

[Hellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a comic book, but it also talking some ideas. At first I thought it is only about the school life, but after reading this book I found it shows us we should not addicted to the game, it will have some trouble with you always play it.

[Justin Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great, funny series!

[Jin You · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was awesome

[Luke H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book if you are bored.

[JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was super funny I really liked it is awesome well that my thought's.

[Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

5.BRUH MOMENTS
1.bruh
2.bruh
3.bruh
4.bruh
5.bruh

[Grade 3A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I now whant to play mitasis! (Ali K.)

[Beatles5803]

Good start off comic book and funny.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about gaming and when it's too much. When you need to stop playing and do your homework.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have definitely played a game so much that I saw it when I closed my eyes.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel read this series in 2nd grade

funny comic books

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 stars. I need more Peggy. Thats all.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good message, but not nearly enough laughs from Peggy and Pod!

[Zazie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are educational and fun for kids. I recommend them.

[Neha Vishnuprem · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice!

[Jen Traub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Squish.

[Jada]

THIS BOOK IS GOOD PLS CAN I READ IT?

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. It reminded me of a Dead Sea Squirrels I read earlier this year where he got obsessed with a video game. I thought it was really cool that his teacher was a comic fan too.

[Daniel Peet · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good that you will be shocked

[Kinsey B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple story. Minimal words. This book had very little to it. An amoeba gets addicted to a video game and spends all his time obsessively playing the game. His homework falls to the wayside and he finds himself in trouble at school. After failing to turn in a book report on time, he gives up his video game and returns to reading his comic books.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I even got to the story, a smile broke out on my face. Colby Sharp (a Nerdybookclub member) must have flipped when he saw his name on the dedication page. He is a huge Babymouse and Squish fan and has promoted these books through Twitter, his blog and in his classroom.

As for the story, the Holm duo has hit on a theme that many readers will relate to easily: video game obsession. If it hasn't affected them, they have likely seen it strike friends and/or relatives. It is so difficult to set aside a game when it is all shiny and new. That is especially true when there is a bit of competition with everyone else around you. Squish is such a great character because though he is an amoeba, he is still a complicated being with many good qualities and a healthy dose of flaws such as obsessing over a game to the detriment of all else. His imperfections, of course, are a large part of his appeal.

There is so much more going on though besides this single storyline. As always, Super Amoeba comics make an appearance with a lesson to be learned. There are always many jokes all along the way such as those related to Squish's literature assignment -- Moby Dick with his quote, "Call me Squishmael." There is also a small dose of science as we learn about mitosis -- the theme of the video game the friends are determined to master.

My students have loved every single volume of Squish and I believe they will fall for this one too. There is plenty of humor for all of them with a dash of teaching and a whole lot of fun. Get it soon!

Original review http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/05...