Smek for President!

Smek #2

by Adam Rex

In this much-anticipated sequel to The True Meaning of Smekday , which inspired the blockbuster feature film Home , Tip and J.Lo are back for another hilarious intergalactic adventure!

After Tip and J.Lo banished the Gorg from Earth, the pair is notorious—but not for their heroics. Instead, human Dan Landry has taken credit for conquering the Gorg, and the aliens known as the Boov blame J.Lo for ruining their colonization of the planet. Determined to clear his name, J.Lo and Tip head to New Boovworld, the aliens' new home on one of Saturn's moons. But their welcome isn't quite as warm as Tip and J.Lo would have liked, since J.Lo is now dubbed Public Enemy Number One.

With the help of a friendly flying billboard named Bill, a journey through various garbage chutes, a bit of time travel, and a slew of hilarious Boovish accents, Tip and J.Lo must fight to set the record straight and return home in one piece.

"This sequel shares the strengths of its 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."— Kirkus Reviews

Don't miss the front story in this intergalactic adventure, The True Meaning of Smekday

Genres: Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Humor, Audiobook, Adventure, Fiction, Young Adult

272 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2015

About the author

Adam Rex grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, the middle of three children. He was neither the smart one (older brother) or the cute one (younger sister), but he was the one who could draw. He took a lot of art classes as a kid, trying to learn to draw better, and started painting when he was 11. And later in life he was drawn down to Tucson in order to hone his skills, get a BFA from the University of Arizona, and meet his physicist wife Marie (who is both the smart and cute one).

Adam is nearsighted, bad at all sports, learning to play the theremin, and usually in need of a shave. He can carry a tune, if you don't mind the tune getting dropped and stepped on occasionally. He never remembers anyone's name until he's heard it at least three times. He likes animals, spacemen, Mexican food, Ethiopian food, monsters, puppets, comic books, 19th century art, skeletons, bugs, and robots.

Garlic and crosses are useless against Adam. Sunlight has been shown to be at least moderately effective. A silver bullet does the trick. Pretty much any bullet, really.

Reviews

[R.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every bit as witty, insightful, and full of heart as I've come to expect from this delightful series, with the bonus of some sly movie-related in-jokes that had me laughing out loud even as I read it to my kids. J.Lo is as deeply loveable, and Tip as doggedly brave, as ever -- and of course there are some shrewd observations about human nature and the follies of pop culture and politics, too. Plus a bonus appendix about how to play Stickyfish, and really, what more could a reader ask for?

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sequel to The True Meaning Of Smekday, Tip the girl and J.Lo the Boov travel to New Boovworld, formerly known as one of the moons of Saturn. (Sorry, I don't remember which moon it was or if the story ever really said, and I'm too lazy today to go check.)

The point is, we went on a road trip! Without Mom's permission! And we had lots of crazy adventures! But did we ever get back home again? And did we ever nibble on a long-eared koobish? My lips are sealed.

This was also a fun read, although I enjoyed the other much more. I was even thinking of going just three stars, but that fourth one is there for the glorious imagination shown by the author. I wouldn't mind having a look at some of his other work someday, just to see what his non-Boov books are like.

[Liviania · Rating 5 out of 5]

SMEK FOR PRESIDENT! is a belated sequel to the much-beloved THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY. I don't mind Adam Rex waiting until he had a good idea to write a sequel, although I suspect SMEK FOR PRESIDENT! was partially prompted by the imminent release of Home, Dreamworks' animated adaptation of THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY. The movie is mentioned within the book itself as a fictionalized version of Tip's adventures, much like what was done in Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries novels after the release of the movie starring Anne Hathaway.

SMEK FOR PRESIDENT! isn't quite as sharp on the social commentary as the original, although it is the perfect time for an election parody as the US presidential election starts to kick into gear. The story starts when Tip and J.Lo (a little human girl and her alien friend) head out to New Boovworld for a holiday - without letting Tip's mom know. What follows is an adventure with the cutest billboard ever (I wish all advertising were so friendly and helpful), time travel, and some rather inept presidential candidates. One of those candidates is Dan Landry, the man who took credit for Tip's accomplishments.

I loved spending time with Tip, J.Lo, and the rest of the returning cast again. Rex knows how to write a hilarious adventure that incorporates real-world issues at a perfect level for the rather young audience. I particularly liked Tip's struggle with the fact that know one knows she saved the Earth. Yeah, she would've saved it anyway, but who doesn't want a little credit?

If you enjoyed THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY, don't miss SMEK FOR PRESIDENT! And definitely don't forget to read the book before going to see the movie.

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

re-read 2024:
If you ever want to schedule some quiet time to think about what a bad daughter you are, may I suggest the silent inky blackness of space? If you're like me, you'll really get to feeling like garbage right around the boring stretch between Mars and Jupiter.

This book is all about family and friendship and it's the perfect sequel to the first book. The speed with which Tip tells Landry "he's still my brother" about J.Lo made me tear up a little, I just adore them so much.


re-read 2020:
I found myself wishing I could comfort the giant girl on the screen - look at those puffy eyes, that hair. If she were my friend, I realized, I'd probably tell her to call her mother.
(She wasn't, though. She was about to badmouth J.Lo.)
But then if her mother was anything like my mother, she'd be better off solving her own problems. Mom had been so not there when I was growing up that when she got sucked right out of my life by a spaceship, it was like the punchline to a joke that hadn't been funny for years, you know?
The sick feeling in my stomach told me that I was full of it. Even the girl on the screen was shaking her head.
We both took a breath.
"Don't be like me," I told her. "Don't be afraid to trust people; don't be afraid to love."
Of course, by telling her this, I was really telling it to a million Boov. That must have been confusing.

this book is something truly special, and I'm happy to call the duology one of my all-time faves.


original read 2017:
"So..." I said. "Were you thrown away too, then?"
Funsize stopped. "Yes. Thrown away like garbage. A criminal, tossed onto the scrap heap like a heap of scrap. Discarded by society."

Wow this book was amazing. Half the time I was hanging onto my Hoverbutt for dear life, and the other half I was laughing out loud (not something that happens often while reading). When I finished The True Meaning of Smekday , I knew I would have to pick up the sequel as soon as I could get my hands on it. I'm so glad I did.

Being back with Tip and J.Lo was fantastic. I love their friendship so much, and I don't think that's going to change any time soon. I mean, just listen to this quote:
J.Lo looked pensive. "I am thinking," he said, "that we are easy because you and me, we never did expect to understands each other. We are happily surprised every day to be friends at all. But with our own peoples... we cannot forgive their differentness."
How precious is that?

so yeah, if you're a fan of friendship, bubble-blowing billboards named Bill, or death-ray pagodas, this series is one for you.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG YES I got an ARC of this from a friend (BEST FRIEND EVER) and was simultaneously ecstatic and skeptical. How could a sequel ever live up to the amazingness of The True Meaning of Smekday?? But luckily this book didn't disappoint. While I still like the first one better, this sequel had the same blend of hilarious, badass awesomeness overlaid on some pretty heavy political and personal themes.

Plus J.Lo is 70% sassier! I'm super happy!!!

[Becket · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant and hilarious, just as you'd expect. It's not quite as punchy as the first book, but it's still imaginative, well-paced, and filled with lol-worthy dialogue and sharp social commentary. Adam Rex's artwork never fails to make me laugh--I especially enjoyed the illustration of a maniacally smiling Funsize.

This series is perfect for kids and tweens who want funny science fiction with diverse characters.

[stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys. This is another Smek book. MORE J.LO AND TIP.

I absolutely devoured it and can't wait until it actually is published so I can stare at all the art more. (I really like Tip's art vs. J.Lo's.)

Also, J.Lo gets some snark! And questions of what home and family and ignoring can do to a person.

Basically, it is the second best thing ever. (Happy Mouse World is still being fixed, so it can't be the first best thing.)

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been selling people on The True Meaning of Smekday for years, as it's a favorite. I've even been lucky enough to meet the author. I read it before I was writing reviews so I don't have one to share, but it is a wonderful mix of narrative voice, absurd humor, and poignant insight. Here's a video Rex created when it was new. Rex has moved on to other books and I've never expected any new Smekday stories. Recently, though, a movie was released based on the book--a movie I've made sure to avoid after seeing a trailer, since it clearly missed the sensibilities of the source material. Then, out of the blue (from my awareness), a sequel appeared.

I chose to listen to the audio recording of Smek for President since I'd heard such good things about Bahni Turpin's reading, and that was an excellent decision--she is brilliant. I made sure to have a physical copy of the book at hand so I could see Rex's illustrations and graphic novel sections after I heard them. It took me a bit to warm up to the book, though. I'm not sure if I read the first book so long ago that I'd forgotten just what to expect, if it took Rex a bit of time to find his flow with the story, or if it's one of those stories that just needs a little time to get going, but I wasn't blown away by the early proceedings. However, by the time I was halfway through I was loving it every bit as much as the original Smekday. And, like with that book, it's hard to find a way to adequately describe the appeal and fun. The humor ranges from silly and slapstick to subtle and sublime to sophisticated and cerebral. The references range from pop culture to nerd obscure. The satire and social commentary range just as far. It's a middle-aged white male giving voice to a teenaged black girl and an alien. Often it seems completely random, yet it completely works. It is a sequel worthy of its original and I recommend it just as much.

Instead of trying to describe Smek for President any more, I'll let it speak for itself with some of the bits that I particularly enjoyed.

Right off the bat it references the movie in a way I appreciated. Tip is complaining about the dishonest autobiography by the politician who stole credit for her victory over the aliens in the first book:

So maybe you haven't read his book. Maybe everyone eventually realized that he used too many adverbs, or that he stole his whole climax from The Last Starfighter. Maybe you read some other book that got the Smekday Invasion wrong, or saw that animated movie they made about it. Whatever your deal is, you probably think you know all there is to know. And if that's what you think, you don't.

It's never explicitly explained how all of these categories break down, but I like to think it's a reference to a multitude of gender categories when Boov politicians address their audiences as:

Ladies and gentlemen and ladygentlemen and gentleladies and gentlementlemen and mentlegentladies and gentlemenmenmenmen.

All I have to say about this is, "Yes," to both points:

"Who wants a leader who wants to be a leader?" And I could see his point there. I've always sort of thought we ought to keep a close eye on anyone who wants power over others. But then the Boov added, "We want a leader who is just like us, but famous!" and he kind of lost me there. I want a leader who's a humble supergenius.

It's not just guns:

"The moon's core can fuel my time machine, so long as you do not mind me stealing power from your death ray, Funsize."

The garbage Boov waved a hand. "Oh, I was probably going to dismantle it," he said. "A death ray in the home is more likely to be used against a loved one than on your enemies anyway. Statistically."

Meta humor:

"It won't even work. Time travel never works."

"It does not do?"

"No, I mean, look at all the stories in books and movies and whatever. You'll just end up being the cause of whatever you've gone back to prevent."

"Ahyes. I know these stories. I think that is a lazy author problem, not a time travel problem."

A reference to the person who voiced Tip in the movie and created the soundtrack:

The authorities were talking about putting Dark J.Lo in jail, but then regular J.Lo spoke up on his behalf, and in the end he got off with some community service. I hear he changed his name to Rihanna to avoid any confusion.

An interesting insight:

"How come it's so easy for us?" I asked J.Lo. "Staying friends, I mean." . . .

J.Lo looked pensive. "I am thinking," he said, "that we are easy because you and me, we never did expect to understands each other. We are happily surprised every day to be friends at all. But with our own peoples . . . we cannot forgive their differentness."

I don't feel this in any way myself, but I know some who would:

"Home is where the hard is," said J.Lo. "As the humans say."

And the philosophical considerations in this bit of dialogue:

"Are billboard bluzzers usually this smart and helpful?"

NO.

"Not usualies," J.Lo agreed. "But this sort of thing can sometimes happen. If a robot is for too long frustrated at its job."

Bill was slaloming in and out of koobish's ears. They tried to nip at him as he passed.

"I don't understand that," I admitted. "Frustrated?"

J.Lo set down the pieces he was fiddling with. "Yes. Aslike . . . a robot who always wants to do, but it cannot do. When we wants to do something but cannot, that is when we think. When our consciousness awakes up and stretches its arms. That is when we imagine, and plan, and dream about the undone thing. Ignored for too long and not able to show anyBoov his message, Bill developed a bug. Some bad code. A . . . glitch."

I felt weird talking about Bill right in front of him like this. After he zoomed up the ramp to the bedroom, I said, "A glitch? Bill can think. Like he's alive. He might be as smart as a person--that's not a glitch."

J.Lo gave me a sad look. "Peoples are glitches," he said.

He returned to his work. "Their worlds do not want them," he continued. "A fox? It knows how to be a fox. Any koobish is the number one expert at being a koobish. But peoples? Boov and humans and Gorg and Habadoo and suchlike? We are the only ones who don't know how to be. Who do not know the right things to do."

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched the movie ‘Home’ couple of weeks back and received this review copy soon after. It was only after I got this book that I realized that the animated movie was based on a book. I had enjoyed the movie and so I delved into this book with much enthusiasm.

Tip and J.Lo are trying to settle back into ‘normal’ lifestyle after their ordeal in the first installment. But it is tougher than one would think. On one hand we have Tip, who now has a problem with her very loving but overbearing mother – atleast she thinks so. On the other hand, J.Lo misses his people and gets the idea that if he can explain to his people that it was a mistake on his part and that he did help save the day, he might be taken back into the fold of the Boovs. So, Tip and J.Lo take a trip to the new colony that the Boovs have set up. When they reach there, they realize that the Boovs are in the middle of an election campaign for the spot of Supreme Boov. They run into trouble (as expected) almost immediately and there starts a new adventure.

The beginning was a bit slow and I had trouble getting into it. But soon enough I was engrossed in the books. So much so, that I finished the book in one sitting. I have to admit that the accompanying artwork made the book so much more fun than it would be without them. I loved both Tip and J.Lo… on trying to come into terms with her accomplishments and her life with her mother. While the other trying to come into terms with his mistakes and the effect that it had among his people. In other words, it is almost like a coming of age novel. The humour in the book is just splendid. I laughed my way through it. No matter what your sense of humour is like, everyone will find enough laughs in the book.

Lots of fun, some chase scenes and some heart touching moments makes this book a complete entertainer.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My neighbor, the gifted writer and all-around great guy, John Claude Bemis, kindly offered us the loan of his ARC, since we're had introduced him to The True Meaning of Smekday.

***

Many things happen in Smekday, and we're dealing with the repercussions in Smek for President. Tip, her mother, and J.Lo are leading a quiet life in the country, but no one is quiet happy after all the tumult they've been through. So Tip and J.Lo decide to take a little road trip and visit the new Boov world colony. Chaos ensues. There is a wacky political campaign. There's another human kid. Tip and J. Lo get into a great deal of trouble, many silly things happen, and then finally, all is resolved and Tip is grounded like all get-out.

It is all ridiculously fun. I'm sad that the movie based on the first book has the utterly boring name of "Home", but I hope it's worthy of the book, and that it will bring readers to the sequel. The world needs more romps with clever characters. Enjoy.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I KNOW Adam Rex is an amazing illustrator and that this series includes fantastic illustrations, and yet I STILL feel compelled to listen to the talking book version.

This narrator is THAT good.

Go Bahni Turpin!

That said, I wasn't QUITE as charmed by this sequel to The True Meaning of Smekday (basis of the feature film "Home") as I was by the first.

Lots of action, and yay Tip!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What, authors are going around writing sequels without notifying me? Scandalous!

This one was almost as fun as I remember the first one. The Boovs are goofy but powerful, and J. Lo and our protagonist had me in fear for their life even as I was smirking every few pages at the humor, which came in situational, pun-sized, wordplay, and other varieties. And it has heart as well -- there are real emotions to be dealt with by both humans and Boov, sometimes with lots of foreshadowing and sometimes sneaking up on you.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kids and I opted not to finish this one, as much as we enjoyed The True Meaning of Smekday.

This one had much less JLo in it, and a lot more randomness that was hard to follow on audio. Maybe the experience would have been different if we could have seen the illustrations of New Boov World instead of trying to picture how it all fit together in our heads, but all in all, it didn't quite keep our interest like the other one.

[beatricks]

despite Bahni Turpin's lovely narration, this felt as gratuitous (oh no accidental wordplay) and un-grabbing as the first book was instantly fun and exciting. bailed after an hour or more of "meh."

[Sunil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tip and J.Lo saved planet Earth in The True Meaning of Smekday , but now they have to save an even more ridiculous homeworld: New Boovworld, which is actually a moon, not a planet. It's a wise move by Adam Rex, as it keeps this sequel from feeling too similar to the first book, which is one of my favorite books. (The first book is helpfully recapped in an amusing comic called "Previously on My Stupid Life.") Traveling to New Boovworld offers a whole lot of opportunities for zany humor, and Rex will take all of them.

As the title implies, the plot, as it were, revolves around an election, as Captain Smek seeks reelection. But, like all politicians, his platform is built on lies: neither New Boovworld nor Earth recognizes Tip and J.Lo's role in saving both of their species from the Gorg. Instead, that responsibility is fallaciously claimed by Dan Landry and Smek. But Tip and J.Lo are going to set things right! They're going to tell the TRUTH!

This goes over about as well as you might expect.

What follows is really a series of misadventures without the benefit of a clear, strong narrative goal like "Find Tip's mother." Tip encounters some bizarre allies and finds herself in wacky situations because the Boov are, well, the Boov. She is a humansgirl out of planet (Boovish, as always, remains terribly amusing). The backdrop of the election ties things together, but the major strength of the book is Tip and J.Lo's relationship: not only their silly banter but also their very real conflicts. J.Lo, weirdo alien that he is, gets some more depth in this book, and Tip sees him in a new light. I do wish there'd been more time to explore Tip's relationship with her mom as well, given that she spent the whole last book trying to get to her.

While Smek for President! doesn't reach the heights of The True Meaning of Smekday (and this book was already at a disadvantage because I was reading it rather than listening to Bahni Turpin's wonderful voices, though this did mean I could appreciate the comics much better), it's a fun ride. I really do love the way Rex incorporates the comics into the narrative, especially as ways to show events from J.Lo's perspective that Tip couldn't witness; the occasional illustrations by Keeli McCarthy also add to the experience. Like the first book, it can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

[Wandering Librarians · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tip is frustrated. She and J.Lo saved the world but no one knows it. Her mom has finally decided to start acting like a mom when Tip has been taking care of herself her whole life. So when J.Lo suggests visiting the Boov's new home planet, New Boovworld, Tip agrees, even though her mom told her no. The two pack up Slushious (their flying car) and head to New Boovworld to clear up the whole misunderstanding about J.Lo letting the Gorg know where the Boov were and all. Things do not go as planned.

I loved The True Meaning of Smekday and was very excited for a sequel I didn't even know was coming. It did not disappoint. Maybe it wasn't quite as delightful as the first one, but it was still pretty delightful.

We are reunited with all our old friends, Tip, her mom, J.Lo, Dan Landry, who's taken all the credit for conquering the Gorg, and meet lots of fabulous new characters. We are finally introduced to the legendary Captain Smek, who's having some trouble on New Boovworld. It seems that some of the Boov are calling for the first presidential election the Boov have ever had! Captain Smek is in trouble. But capturing Public Enemy Number One (who happens to be J.Lo) might make him look a bit better. When J.Lo is arrested and put in prison on New Boovworld, Tip teams up with a friendly flying billboard she names Bill to try and set things right.

Like the first book, beneath all the hilarity and silly antics of the Boov, it's a story about family and friendship. Tip is struggling with some growing pains and the relationship with her mom, who she knows loves her but won't get off her back. And as much as Tip says she doesn't care if no one knows she saved the world, she does, in fact, really care that no one knows she saved the world! I mean, SHE SAVED THE WORLD!

The story was funny, sweet and had some great twists and surprises. And lots of hilarious Boovian accents.

Smek for President! comes out February 10, 2015.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I LOVED The True Meaning of Smekday and recommend it all the time to a variety of age ranges. This, however, is nowhere near the quality, insight, or fun of that book.

Smek for President is confusing with no real advancement of plot but serious overkill in the "action" department. No kidding, at least 3/4 of the book reads like this (from p. 175):

"Whap, he smacked into the side and held fast to the ledge of one of the porthole windows, the wind whipping him around. I watched him aim a pistol with his free hand and had a moment to tackle J. Lo before the beam cut through the bus where his head had been. Funsize began climbing int the hole he'd made, so I rolled onto my side and kicked, knocking the gun out of his hand. But he had plenty more guns. Holsters held five more eraser pistols and a trombone rifle across his back and something that might have been a samurai sword. I tried to kick again, but Funsize grabbed my leg and used it to pull himself up."

And then...., and then...., and then.....

Quite tiresome. And very disappointing. Just let them watch the movie.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of the same Tip and J.Lo hijinks from The True Meaning of Smekday. The Boov have made Saturn's moon Titan their new homeworld, and have got it in their squishy heads that they need a "modern leader for a modern age." But who is that running for president against the glorious HighBoov, Captain Smek?

Smekday's sequel is shorter, not as deep, and less compelling. All of the previous story's characters are back (save the Gorg, alas) but there no memorable additions, unless you count a mildly entertaining Boov billboard. Adam Rex has fewer moments of comic genius, though there are some good chuckles, and his interspersed artwork and cartoons are as usual fantastic. The best part of the whole book is the X-Files "bonus deleted scene" at the end.

I give the text 3 Hoverbutts, but the audiobook version adds one more. Smekday narrator Bahnie Turpin returns triumphantly for the sequel; hers will always be the voice of J.Lo for me.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always skeptical about the sequel to a much-loved book, and I knew that it would be hard to live up to the precedent of The True Meaning of Smekday, which was extremely funny but also had a lovely friendship between a young girl and an alien. Smek! follows Tip and J.Lo as they go to New Boovworld so J.Lo can meet with Smek, the High Boov, and clear his reputation. It’s also a chance to put Tip in a fish-out-of-water situation, reversing J.Lo’s funny responses to human civilization. They find themselves in the middle of power struggle over the government of the new colony, and of course chaos ensues with a series of hilarious episodes, quirky new characters, and unlikely but perfect plot twists. This doesn’t quite reach the heights of Smekday because it lacks the gradual buildup of a beautiful friendship, but it’s still worth a read and will definitely cause some laugh-out-loud moments.

[Tahleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I love Adam Rex. This book had me laughing out loud just like the first one, but because I read an e-galley, a lot of the artwork wasn't included. It's too bad, because a lot of the actual plot happens within the comics interspersed throughout the book, so I had to infer what happens without actually being able to experience it. I look forward to seeing a finished copy, since I very much enjoyed what I was able to read, though I will say it isn't as good as the first. It is shorter, and Tip and J.Lo are really the only characters of note--I would have liked to see more of the secondary characters, like Funsize. The whole thing just felt rushed to me, though again, this might be because of my limited experience with the e-galley.

I am seriously hoping Bahni Turpin records the audio of this one too! I'd love to get my hands on that.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably half (three quarters?) of the reason I loved this book as much as I did has to do with the amazing Bahni Turpin, the narrator of the audiobook. She is just the best, you guys. Her voice-characterization of the Boov is just spot on hilarious, and her Gratuity is expressive and sassy and amazing. I think I'm at the point where I'm going to just go seek out everything she has narrated and listen to it ASAP.

All that being said, this is a great continuation of The True Meaning of Smekday. Tip and J. Lo's friendship is tested in meaningful ways, and the adventure is non-stop. I didn't like the story as much as the first book, but anyone who read and enjoyed the first book won't find anything to dislike about this one. Hooray for Adam Rex :)

[LibraryLaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love, love, love The True Meaning of Smekday and was so happy to see that a sequel was coming! And thanks to NetGalley, I got to read it. Yay for another adventure with Tip and J.Lo. I will definitely have to get my hands on an actual copy of the book when it is published since much of the art was not final, and I was a little confused since there were some missing comic panels that moved the plot along. But thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to get a sneak peek.

[Heather Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "The True Meaning of Smekday" so much that when I found out "Smek for President" was coming out I knew I wouldn't be able to wait for it. I read this awesome sequel in a single sitting (even though I shouldn't have), and then read it aloud to my daughter. She loved it and insisted that her teenage brother read it immediately. My best friend (a 30 year old male) heard us talking about it and asked to borrow it. We all loved the continued adventures of Tip and J Lo and Tip's new friend Bill. Kids will love this book!

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

More action and less nuance, character development, and political commentary than The True Meaning of Smekday (which I love). This feels like it was written for people who saw Home and liked it, as it reads more like a movie. I was very excited to spend more time with J-Lo and Tip, but had trouble getting into the story. Definitely has kid appeal with funny action sequences and over the top characters.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

After loving The True Meaning of Smekday so much, I was thrilled to see a sequel. While not as absolutely perfect and wonderful as the first, it was still a pleasure to travel again with J. Lo and Tip. Be prepared for a lot of ridiculumness and chase scenes.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, I would pretty much listen to Bahni Turpin read the phone book. I'd recommend starting with The True Meaning of Smekday because I think a lot of my enjoyment of this audiobook came from knowing and loving the characters from their previous adventures.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros: It's a fun audiobook, with a sprightly narrator who really MOVES.

Cons: This story is way way too wacky for me, and I felt it was either off the rails most of the time or in danger of going there.

Might just not be to my taste.

[Amy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH MY GOD A SEQUEL

[Cecily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still love these characters, can't wait to listen to the audio book as well since it's read by the same fabulous Bahni Turpin.

[Shira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be generous here and give this five stars. Not sure if it's exactly five, but i gave the first book four and this is better than the first one.