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It Came From the Sky
From the author of The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and As You Wish comes the unforgettable story of the one small town's biggest hoax and the two brothers who started it all.
This is the absolutely true account of how Lansburg, Pennsylvania was invaded by aliens and the weeks of chaos that followed. There were sightings of UFOs, close encounters, and even abductions. There were believers, Truth Seekers, and, above all, people who looked to the sky and hoped for more.
Only...there were no aliens.
Gideon Hofstadt knows what really happened. When one of his science experiments went wrong, he and his older brother blamed the resulting explosion on extraterrestrial activity. And their lie was not only believed by their town―it was embraced. As the brothers go to increasingly greater lengths to keep up the ruse and avoid getting caught, the hoax flourishes. But Gideon's obsession with their tale threatened his whole world. Can he find a way to banish the aliens before Lansburg, and his life, are changed forever?
Told in a report format and comprised of interviews, blog posts, text conversations, found documents, and so much more, It Came from the Sky is a hysterical and resonant novel about what it means to be human in the face of the unknown.
This is the absolutely true account of how Lansburg, Pennsylvania was invaded by aliens and the weeks of chaos that followed. There were sightings of UFOs, close encounters, and even abductions. There were believers, Truth Seekers, and, above all, people who looked to the sky and hoped for more.
Only...there were no aliens.
Gideon Hofstadt knows what really happened. When one of his science experiments went wrong, he and his older brother blamed the resulting explosion on extraterrestrial activity. And their lie was not only believed by their town―it was embraced. As the brothers go to increasingly greater lengths to keep up the ruse and avoid getting caught, the hoax flourishes. But Gideon's obsession with their tale threatened his whole world. Can he find a way to banish the aliens before Lansburg, and his life, are changed forever?
Told in a report format and comprised of interviews, blog posts, text conversations, found documents, and so much more, It Came from the Sky is a hysterical and resonant novel about what it means to be human in the face of the unknown.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2020
45 people are currently reading
3942 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea Sedoti
5 books611 followersChelsea Sedoti fell in love with writing at a young age after discovering that making up stories was more fun than doing her school work (her teachers didn’t always appreciate this.) In an effort to avoid getting a “real” job, Chelsea explored careers as a balloon twister, filmmaker, and paranormal investigator. Eventually she realized that her true passion is writing about flawed teenagers who are also afraid of growing up. When she’s not at the computer, Chelsea spends her time exploring abandoned buildings, eating junk food at roadside diners, and trying to befriend every animal in the world. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada where she avoids casinos, but loves roaming the Mojave Desert.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
August 7, 2020
This was interesting! Even though this book is over 500 pages, it was really easy to fly through because it is not only told in really short chapters, but it also has a lot of fun mixed media elements woven in that made the story fly by. I will say, while I did overall enjoy this one, there was one aspect of it that really didn't sit well with me that is keeping my rating from going any higher than a 3. About halfway through the book, there is a grooming plot-line introduced, and I just kind of feel like it was added in to further a villain narrative and didn't ever really get the time / grace that it needed to be discussed sensitively. I feel like that whole element of the book could have been completely taken out and not a single other aspect of the story would have suffered from it not being there. Overall, this book was fun and I did enjoy my time reading it, but the last little bit kind of just left a weird taste in my mouth.
TW: grooming, pedophilia, emotional manipulation
TW: grooming, pedophilia, emotional manipulation
September 4, 2020
I didn’t even know this book existed until the publisher reached out to send me an arc paperback. I knew I would love the book when I read the synopsis.
Gideon is the super smart science kid but his brother, Ishmael, is a prankster. So he set up Gideons science project to make a big boom so to speak. Then it’s off to the races about ufo’s 🤣😂
This was super fun and it got more outrageous as it went on. And there are also other things going on with their mom and the wacky company she’s with. It all comes out in the in 😉
*Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
Gideon is the super smart science kid but his brother, Ishmael, is a prankster. So he set up Gideons science project to make a big boom so to speak. Then it’s off to the races about ufo’s 🤣😂
This was super fun and it got more outrageous as it went on. And there are also other things going on with their mom and the wacky company she’s with. It all comes out in the in 😉
*Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
August 8, 2020
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Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
"Gideon, if you get caught in a lie, you don't just cave.
That only makes things worse."
"I'm fairly certain the exact opposite is true."
Reading this novel made me realize that I did not have nearly as much fun as I could have had when I was a teenager. Would it have bitten me in the end and made me regret a few things? Oh, sure. But what entertainment would I have had in the meantime!
Whenever an introverted character makes its debut among the pages of a book, I instantly feel a draw toward them. I think that's the case for quite a few of us. Gideon is quite happy with his world revolving around science and his experiments, with his lack of a desire to be among most of humanity, and being forced by family and friends to step out of that comfort zone is physically painful for him. But the beautiful thing about this type of person is that when they decide to be vulnerable before others, and push themselves so that they can experience more of life, they flourish. The moment that Gideon agrees with his brother Ishmael to prank the rest of the town into believing that aliens have made contact, he begins that journey.
It Came From the Sky is not just the tale of two brothers starting mayhem and watching the world around them go wild. It's at times heartwarming as Gideon learns more about himself; it's about emotional and mental growth; it's about family and friendships; and it's about learning that no matter what path you have set out for yourself, things don't always work out according to plan and you need to not just adapt, but find and fight for new goals.
While there are a few different stories developing at the same time along with the main plot, they all come together cohesively in the end to present a full picture for the reader. And the diary entries, private messages and interviews that accompany the regular storytelling are a nice addition. It's not just about the aliens—they're merely what sets off into motion a case of incidents that increase in drama and devilry. By the close of this tale, I don't think that Ishmael and Gideon missed pushing any buttons that they may have been able to push. And despite how different the two of them are, it was great to see how well their personalities complement each other. They have no idea at the start of things, but they eventually realize how much they care for one another and how willing they are to stand by each other through the downfall of their actions. Relationships are the core of It Came From the Sky, and they're what truly make the novel so special.
What begins as an amusing and slightly dangerous sociology experiment, turns into a young man learning who he is and what he is capable of, despite his imagined shortcomings.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
"Gideon, if you get caught in a lie, you don't just cave.
That only makes things worse."
"I'm fairly certain the exact opposite is true."
Reading this novel made me realize that I did not have nearly as much fun as I could have had when I was a teenager. Would it have bitten me in the end and made me regret a few things? Oh, sure. But what entertainment would I have had in the meantime!
Whenever an introverted character makes its debut among the pages of a book, I instantly feel a draw toward them. I think that's the case for quite a few of us. Gideon is quite happy with his world revolving around science and his experiments, with his lack of a desire to be among most of humanity, and being forced by family and friends to step out of that comfort zone is physically painful for him. But the beautiful thing about this type of person is that when they decide to be vulnerable before others, and push themselves so that they can experience more of life, they flourish. The moment that Gideon agrees with his brother Ishmael to prank the rest of the town into believing that aliens have made contact, he begins that journey.
It Came From the Sky is not just the tale of two brothers starting mayhem and watching the world around them go wild. It's at times heartwarming as Gideon learns more about himself; it's about emotional and mental growth; it's about family and friendships; and it's about learning that no matter what path you have set out for yourself, things don't always work out according to plan and you need to not just adapt, but find and fight for new goals.
While there are a few different stories developing at the same time along with the main plot, they all come together cohesively in the end to present a full picture for the reader. And the diary entries, private messages and interviews that accompany the regular storytelling are a nice addition. It's not just about the aliens—they're merely what sets off into motion a case of incidents that increase in drama and devilry. By the close of this tale, I don't think that Ishmael and Gideon missed pushing any buttons that they may have been able to push. And despite how different the two of them are, it was great to see how well their personalities complement each other. They have no idea at the start of things, but they eventually realize how much they care for one another and how willing they are to stand by each other through the downfall of their actions. Relationships are the core of It Came From the Sky, and they're what truly make the novel so special.
What begins as an amusing and slightly dangerous sociology experiment, turns into a young man learning who he is and what he is capable of, despite his imagined shortcomings.
May 23, 2021
I still have a smile on my face when I'm thinking about this book.
Written in short chapters, the author added text messages, collected data entries and various articles that put a new perspective on the subject. It is quite a long book, but it didn't feel long.
I loved how the hoax took a life on its own and how many people were drawn into it. Like you never know what will happen when you think something is without consequences... Everything has consequences, and the brothers learn it.
As a parent, I probably would have reacted the same way as Gideon and Ishmael parents, thinking the hoax wouldn't get far. But would've I acted differently when everything developed this quickly? I honestly don't know....
It's an enjoyable book that I recommend without a doubt.
Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Written in short chapters, the author added text messages, collected data entries and various articles that put a new perspective on the subject. It is quite a long book, but it didn't feel long.
I loved how the hoax took a life on its own and how many people were drawn into it. Like you never know what will happen when you think something is without consequences... Everything has consequences, and the brothers learn it.
As a parent, I probably would have reacted the same way as Gideon and Ishmael parents, thinking the hoax wouldn't get far. But would've I acted differently when everything developed this quickly? I honestly don't know....
It's an enjoyable book that I recommend without a doubt.
Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 25, 2020
This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed seeing the story progress and seeing Gideon and Ishmael get sucked further and further into their lie, and I was so intrigued to see how everything turned out. There was a lot of this book that I struggled with Gideon. He could be really irritating at times, but I think it was also partially because I could see a lot of myself as a teenager in him, and so it was also just kind of hard seeing the parts of myself that I didn't like. I do love how much his character grew, and I think that seeing his transformation throughout the book really added to it. I also loved how this was a mixed format book, and how the narrative was 'interrupted' with interviews, texts, diagrams, etc. Overall I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2020
Sixteen-year-old Gideon Hofstadt prefers an orderly life and an orderly future. In his schoolwork, he excels in the sciences, but struggles with the vagaries of the humanities. It is the same way he struggles with his relationships with his family, friends, and his maybe boyfriend, Owen. Gideon cares about Owen, but as the only other gay student in his school, Gideon fears that Owen really doesn’t care about him, as there aren’t any local alternatives for either of them. When he creates a seismograph and wants to test it, he allows, against his better judgement, his older brother Ishmael to help him with the experiment. Of course, as Gideon fears, Ishmael doesn’t follow his instructions and the resulting explosion, which is supposed to be much, much smaller, creates a crater on his family’s farm.
When the boys are questioned by their parents about what caused the crater, Ishmael claims that its origin is extraterrestrial in nature. Later, when Gideon objects, Ishmael convinces him that this is the perfect opportunity for their differing motivations to align: it provides Ishmael the chance for a marvelous prank, and Gideon the opportunity for a sociological study on how their town responds. Intrigued, Gideon agrees. But as the brothers layer additional lies on to their claims of alien experiences to perpetuate the hoax, something unexpected happens: the town wholeheartedly accepts their tales. Not only that, but their story takes on a life of its own and begins to manifest itself in ways neither Gideon nor Ishmael could have expected. Now, both boys begin to wonder, how will this end?
In this recent novel, Chelsea Sedoti (author of The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and As You Wish) tells a tale of control lost and, if not exactly regained, at least the protagonist adjusts to living without complete control. The character of Gideon is a fascinating one. He is a bit like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, only younger and not quite as brilliant. Almost nothing comes easily for Gideon, whether it is his knowledge, his grades or his relationships with others, which are a continual struggle. In sharp contrast, the one thing for which Gideon doesn’t have to work is the acceptance of others. His family and friends all seem to accept him as he is. While the relationships portrayed are not simple or easy, no one in the book tries to overtly change Gideon into someone he is not, and that is refreshing. The other characters in the story are interesting, diverse and nicely drawn.
The hoax is just believable enough to propel the plot along. While it is a bit of a stretch to believe that a hoax of this size and magnitude could be perpetrated by two high school students, it is so much fun to join the adventure that readers will overlook any reservations they encounter. Honestly, history has examples of some equally outrageous hoaxes that were fully embraced by the general public, which seems to be part of the point Sedoti is making. And one can only hope that, somewhere, there is a town with a sixty-three foot lava lamp, functioning or not, in their town center.
It Came From the Sky is an entirely earthbound, but out-of-this-world adventure! Check out the this interview with the author, Chelsea Sedoti.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library
When the boys are questioned by their parents about what caused the crater, Ishmael claims that its origin is extraterrestrial in nature. Later, when Gideon objects, Ishmael convinces him that this is the perfect opportunity for their differing motivations to align: it provides Ishmael the chance for a marvelous prank, and Gideon the opportunity for a sociological study on how their town responds. Intrigued, Gideon agrees. But as the brothers layer additional lies on to their claims of alien experiences to perpetuate the hoax, something unexpected happens: the town wholeheartedly accepts their tales. Not only that, but their story takes on a life of its own and begins to manifest itself in ways neither Gideon nor Ishmael could have expected. Now, both boys begin to wonder, how will this end?
In this recent novel, Chelsea Sedoti (author of The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and As You Wish) tells a tale of control lost and, if not exactly regained, at least the protagonist adjusts to living without complete control. The character of Gideon is a fascinating one. He is a bit like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, only younger and not quite as brilliant. Almost nothing comes easily for Gideon, whether it is his knowledge, his grades or his relationships with others, which are a continual struggle. In sharp contrast, the one thing for which Gideon doesn’t have to work is the acceptance of others. His family and friends all seem to accept him as he is. While the relationships portrayed are not simple or easy, no one in the book tries to overtly change Gideon into someone he is not, and that is refreshing. The other characters in the story are interesting, diverse and nicely drawn.
The hoax is just believable enough to propel the plot along. While it is a bit of a stretch to believe that a hoax of this size and magnitude could be perpetrated by two high school students, it is so much fun to join the adventure that readers will overlook any reservations they encounter. Honestly, history has examples of some equally outrageous hoaxes that were fully embraced by the general public, which seems to be part of the point Sedoti is making. And one can only hope that, somewhere, there is a town with a sixty-three foot lava lamp, functioning or not, in their town center.
It Came From the Sky is an entirely earthbound, but out-of-this-world adventure! Check out the this interview with the author, Chelsea Sedoti.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library
October 11, 2020
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and Edelweiss for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
It Came From The Sky
By: Chelsea Sedoti
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
I want to note that the formatting on my Kindle made this book hard to read.
I loved Chelsea Sedoti's As You Wish, and I expected much the same from It Came From The Sky. I did enjoy the story, but I would have liked it more in an easier to read format. This type of story is not suited for a Kindle. I like the style of the story with interviews and data, etc. because it's just more interesting this way.
Although the alien hoax premise is nothing new, it is well done with its own spin, and it doesn't feel repetitive or boring. I found it humorous, quirky and insightful. The lengths the characters go to in order to cover up something is crazy, but it's also relatable. When a little lie takes on a life of its own, the liar can certainly get caught in an embarrassing mortifying situation. Young adult readers will enjoy this book, but adults can read it, too. It's a nice break from the everyday!
It Came From The Sky
By: Chelsea Sedoti
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
I want to note that the formatting on my Kindle made this book hard to read.
I loved Chelsea Sedoti's As You Wish, and I expected much the same from It Came From The Sky. I did enjoy the story, but I would have liked it more in an easier to read format. This type of story is not suited for a Kindle. I like the style of the story with interviews and data, etc. because it's just more interesting this way.
Although the alien hoax premise is nothing new, it is well done with its own spin, and it doesn't feel repetitive or boring. I found it humorous, quirky and insightful. The lengths the characters go to in order to cover up something is crazy, but it's also relatable. When a little lie takes on a life of its own, the liar can certainly get caught in an embarrassing mortifying situation. Young adult readers will enjoy this book, but adults can read it, too. It's a nice break from the everyday!
March 14, 2021
I loved the way this book was written! The interviews and collected data interspersed throughout made it interesting and fast to read despite it being a 500 page book. The characters are fun and feel very real. The family dynamic is perfect, I love that the parents know from the beginning that their kids are up to something, but decide to let them learn their own lessons. Even if they start to regret that decision along the way 😂 And Maggie quietly causing her own trouble in the background of the main story was hilarious. There's a lot going on here, but it all works together so well! :)
July 16, 2021
4 stars
Enjoyed it a lot more than I had anticipated.
RTC
Enjoyed it a lot more than I had anticipated.
RTC
June 12, 2021
a minha maior surpresa do ano até então (possivelmente será até o fim do ano). AMEI!
May 14, 2020
A hoax that gets out of hand, potential extraterrestrials on the loose, first love, what more could a reader possibly want?
I’m a fan of Sedoti’s work, but this is my favorite of hers so far. The characters were so well developed and I was absolute gripped by the story itself and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next. This is such a fun summer read! Definitely recommend!
I’m a fan of Sedoti’s work, but this is my favorite of hers so far. The characters were so well developed and I was absolute gripped by the story itself and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next. This is such a fun summer read! Definitely recommend!
August 10, 2020
I enjoyed my previous reads by Sedoti and this one was no exception. I was absolutely amazed at how well the situation in this book (two teen boys creating a hoax about an alien invasion in order to avoid getting caught doing something illegal) translates to what is going on in the world today. The conspiracy theories, the mass hysteria, the skeptics--all of it is applicable to many situations and this book, whether accidentally or on purpose, shines a bright light on them.
I adored the snarky sense of humor and the realistic portrayal of relationships. It's refreshing to see a variety of relationship storylines, from Gideon and Owen to Gideon and Ishmael's parents explore different facets of starting and maintaining a romance despite varying issues, both internal and external.
This is a great book for young adults and adults alike.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I adored the snarky sense of humor and the realistic portrayal of relationships. It's refreshing to see a variety of relationship storylines, from Gideon and Owen to Gideon and Ishmael's parents explore different facets of starting and maintaining a romance despite varying issues, both internal and external.
This is a great book for young adults and adults alike.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
July 1, 2020
Well that was a whole heap of fun. Great plot - tick. Interesting premise - tick. Unique (diverse representation) character voice - tick. Writing style that mixes character narration with document files and interviews with other characters - tick. Laugh out loud funny and with a touch of lgbt romance - tick tick. Seriously It Came From The Sky has it all and is an enjoyable, make-you-smile kind of story.
When a science experiment causes a larger than expected explosion and creates a massive crater on their family farm, Gideon and his brother Ishmael decide to create the most epic prank/sociology research experiment by trying to convince their town that the crater was caused by aliens. Neither of them expect how big the hoax gets, drawing attention nationally and having far reaching consequences.
I loved so much about this book. It’s easy to read - the narrative is all written from Gideon’s perspective broken up by files, text conversations, interview transcripts and other asides. The book is meant to represent Gideon’s research case notes, but it makes for some funny insights.
While the plot is fun and there is never a dull moment as the hoax gets wilder and more complex, my favourite thing about It Came From the Sky is the characters.
Let’s start with Gideon. Gideon knows he isn’t like other kids and he is absolutely okay with that, he wouldn’t want to be like them. He’d much rather experiment in his lab than attend social gatherings. He only trusts his one friend. He approaches life through a scientific lens. He is in a romantic relationship with Owen, a fellow student at school and coworker at the ice cream parlour. And while he is out as gay, he’d rather not have anyone know he and Owen are dating. He looks upon the actions of his brother with disdain, but he also wishes he could have that same ‘easy among other people’ thing, that ease in his own skin. Alongside Owen, who is a wonderful love interest but doesn’t get a huge amount of page time, is Gideon’s best friend Cat, who is dramatic and lots of fun, and side friend Arden, who hangs on the periphery of their group and who Gideon isn’t sure he can trust. While he is pranking (aka studying) the world, Gideon has a lot to learn about people, friendships and relationships. It’s great to see him grow a little, but I also totally relate to his viewpoint and I love how he stays uniquely him.
I also really loved Gideon’s family. His mother, father, Gram, brother and sister all each bring so much to the story. There are so many sides to this story and each of the characters are so well developed. Sometimes, we readers only got a glimpse of these extra characters, like Gideon’s sister Maggie, yet it was so easy to feel her. And she is scary awesome.
This is going to be one of those books where I just smile as I push it into a readers hands and say, yes, it’s kind of about aliens, but just read it. I know you’ll love it. And I’m pretty sure you will. Because who doesn’t love a funny, crazy story about aliens, family, brothers, giant lava lamps, pyramid schemes, avoiding arrest from the FBI and basically pranking the whole nation.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
When a science experiment causes a larger than expected explosion and creates a massive crater on their family farm, Gideon and his brother Ishmael decide to create the most epic prank/sociology research experiment by trying to convince their town that the crater was caused by aliens. Neither of them expect how big the hoax gets, drawing attention nationally and having far reaching consequences.
I loved so much about this book. It’s easy to read - the narrative is all written from Gideon’s perspective broken up by files, text conversations, interview transcripts and other asides. The book is meant to represent Gideon’s research case notes, but it makes for some funny insights.
While the plot is fun and there is never a dull moment as the hoax gets wilder and more complex, my favourite thing about It Came From the Sky is the characters.
Let’s start with Gideon. Gideon knows he isn’t like other kids and he is absolutely okay with that, he wouldn’t want to be like them. He’d much rather experiment in his lab than attend social gatherings. He only trusts his one friend. He approaches life through a scientific lens. He is in a romantic relationship with Owen, a fellow student at school and coworker at the ice cream parlour. And while he is out as gay, he’d rather not have anyone know he and Owen are dating. He looks upon the actions of his brother with disdain, but he also wishes he could have that same ‘easy among other people’ thing, that ease in his own skin. Alongside Owen, who is a wonderful love interest but doesn’t get a huge amount of page time, is Gideon’s best friend Cat, who is dramatic and lots of fun, and side friend Arden, who hangs on the periphery of their group and who Gideon isn’t sure he can trust. While he is pranking (aka studying) the world, Gideon has a lot to learn about people, friendships and relationships. It’s great to see him grow a little, but I also totally relate to his viewpoint and I love how he stays uniquely him.
I also really loved Gideon’s family. His mother, father, Gram, brother and sister all each bring so much to the story. There are so many sides to this story and each of the characters are so well developed. Sometimes, we readers only got a glimpse of these extra characters, like Gideon’s sister Maggie, yet it was so easy to feel her. And she is scary awesome.
This is going to be one of those books where I just smile as I push it into a readers hands and say, yes, it’s kind of about aliens, but just read it. I know you’ll love it. And I’m pretty sure you will. Because who doesn’t love a funny, crazy story about aliens, family, brothers, giant lava lamps, pyramid schemes, avoiding arrest from the FBI and basically pranking the whole nation.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
July 5, 2020
I enjoyed every minute of this crazy, bizarre, hilarious book and the brothers who engineered this quirky town's biggest hoax.
Gideon, a science genius, and Ishmael, his Hawaiian shirt-wearing brother who prefers to coast through life, are polar opposites in almost every way and go into this hoax with different objectives. Ishmael is looking to top his record for practical jokes at their high school. Gideon, with a lifelong goal of working for NASA, visualizes it as a way to distinguish him from thousands of other applicants for MIT and ensure his acceptance. Obviously, everything about this is a bad idea, but watching the story unfold and spiral out of control makes for such a pleasurable read.
In the midst of all this, Gideon is also learning to navigate a relationship with his first boyfriend. Being science-oriented, he prefers to deal in facts and rules, so personal relationships and the emotions and nuances that come with them are difficult for him to understand. His character arc is strong, heartfelt, and one of my favorite things about this novel.
As the description indicates, the narrative is broken up by interviews, blog posts, footnotes, etc., and while some readers felt them a distraction, I thought they worked well with the tone of the story. Some of them also caused me to burst out laughing.
Along with the hijinx, supposed alien abductions, a giant pink lava lamp, and a runaway cow named Muffin are incredibly supportive friendships, strong family bonds, and powerful life lessons on acceptance and self-worth. If you're looking for a light-hearted, entertaining read, grab a copy of It Came From the Sky.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Gideon, a science genius, and Ishmael, his Hawaiian shirt-wearing brother who prefers to coast through life, are polar opposites in almost every way and go into this hoax with different objectives. Ishmael is looking to top his record for practical jokes at their high school. Gideon, with a lifelong goal of working for NASA, visualizes it as a way to distinguish him from thousands of other applicants for MIT and ensure his acceptance. Obviously, everything about this is a bad idea, but watching the story unfold and spiral out of control makes for such a pleasurable read.
In the midst of all this, Gideon is also learning to navigate a relationship with his first boyfriend. Being science-oriented, he prefers to deal in facts and rules, so personal relationships and the emotions and nuances that come with them are difficult for him to understand. His character arc is strong, heartfelt, and one of my favorite things about this novel.
As the description indicates, the narrative is broken up by interviews, blog posts, footnotes, etc., and while some readers felt them a distraction, I thought they worked well with the tone of the story. Some of them also caused me to burst out laughing.
Along with the hijinx, supposed alien abductions, a giant pink lava lamp, and a runaway cow named Muffin are incredibly supportive friendships, strong family bonds, and powerful life lessons on acceptance and self-worth. If you're looking for a light-hearted, entertaining read, grab a copy of It Came From the Sky.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 24, 2020
A fascinating, character driven, and family focused story that includes 1 big hoax, 2 brothers on a mission, adults aplenty doing things they’ll have to atone to, and 0 actual aliens. Told through a series of prose, documents, journal entries, and more, this contemporary story is one to pick up this fall!
Read
January 10, 2021DNF
[read as an arc]
The plot of this book simply didn't interest me, I was getting very annoyed with the characters' actions, and I also despise stories where the entirety of the plot is driven forward by everyone's absolute incompetency.
[read as an arc]
The plot of this book simply didn't interest me, I was getting very annoyed with the characters' actions, and I also despise stories where the entirety of the plot is driven forward by everyone's absolute incompetency.
September 26, 2021
This is an imaginative book about circumstances getting out of hand, people having the best intentions but not communicating well enough to understand each other, and a vulnerable hope about our place in the universe. If you are skeptic about MLM schemes, wonder about lights in the sky, or just want boys who so clearly like each other to just get along already, this book is worth a read.
My thoughts about this book are in this wrap up video.
My thoughts about this book are in this wrap up video.
July 6, 2022
Another book that's been on my TBR for a while...and finally got around to it. It was told in interview style (kind of similar to World War Z)
A fun read with good characters.
A fun read with good characters.
August 23, 2020
Wow this was a REALLY long book. I did enjoy it, when I picked it up it was something that I just kept turning the pages as I read to get through the story, and see how it would all turn out. Honestly, there was a lot in this book. Not only did we have just your regular story parts, there were pages of the extra documentation that you find in a lot of books now. Interview transcripts, website posts with their comments, text conversations, and even little interludes where our main narrator gave us kind of extra thoughts or expansions of the thoughts we got within the story parts.
I am a huge fan of the TV show, The Big Bang Theory, and so there were a lot of things in here that totally connected to that. First, our main character Gideon, is totally a Sheldon type of character. Except for he is more like the actor who plays Sheldon in that he is gay. And then, Gideon’s last name is Hofstadt, which is part of the character Leonard on TBBT’s last name, Hofstadter.
There were a lot of different things going on the story thought besides just the UFO hoax that Gideon was working on. There was his younger sister and her sudden obsession with cults. There was his father not being happy with what he’d been doing the last so many years of basically being a stay-at-home dad. His mother’s myTality business and the crazy leader of that group. Gideon’s best friends at school, learning to trust the new member of his group. Gideon worrying about having a relationship with Owen, the only other openly gay boy in the town. Wanting to get into his first choice school, M.I.T., but other things in his life dragging him down from being the valedictorian. So yeah, pretty much what a teenager feels like their life is.
It was a good story, just maybe a bit overlong, I can see some things that didn’t necessarily need as much time as they got, but that’s just my opinion. Nothing was not a part of the story, nothing didn’t fit. All in all a really good contemporary story since as we’re told from the synopsis, it is just a hoax.
Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
I am a huge fan of the TV show, The Big Bang Theory, and so there were a lot of things in here that totally connected to that. First, our main character Gideon, is totally a Sheldon type of character. Except for he is more like the actor who plays Sheldon in that he is gay. And then, Gideon’s last name is Hofstadt, which is part of the character Leonard on TBBT’s last name, Hofstadter.
There were a lot of different things going on the story thought besides just the UFO hoax that Gideon was working on. There was his younger sister and her sudden obsession with cults. There was his father not being happy with what he’d been doing the last so many years of basically being a stay-at-home dad. His mother’s myTality business and the crazy leader of that group. Gideon’s best friends at school, learning to trust the new member of his group. Gideon worrying about having a relationship with Owen, the only other openly gay boy in the town. Wanting to get into his first choice school, M.I.T., but other things in his life dragging him down from being the valedictorian. So yeah, pretty much what a teenager feels like their life is.
It was a good story, just maybe a bit overlong, I can see some things that didn’t necessarily need as much time as they got, but that’s just my opinion. Nothing was not a part of the story, nothing didn’t fit. All in all a really good contemporary story since as we’re told from the synopsis, it is just a hoax.
Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
September 28, 2020
As many of you who follow my blog regularly already know, I read a lot with my 12-year-old son. He's a very advanced reader and we've been reading together since he was a baby. These days, he's usually reading something on his own, something for school and something out loud with me. It Came From the Sky is a book that he chose from my ARC collection (Thank you, Sourcebooks!) to read as his 'choice' book for 8th Grade Enriched English. I usually try to read along (seperately) so we can discuss the book together and so that I can spot any tricky topics or confusing bits that I might need to help clarify. Most of the time, I must admit, I enjoy the books he chooses. Occasionally, I don't enjoy the school-assigned books (I'm thinking Call of the Wild and Treasure Island here...call me a philistine!) but between the great characters and the emotional content in the Middle Grade and YA selections he makes, I'm generally pretty pleased to read along with him.
It Came From the Sky did not disappoint. I had previously read Chelsea Sedoti's As You Wish on my own and found myself charmed and intrigued by her work. I wasn't surprised to find the It Came From the Sky was similarly intriguing and contained lots of lovable characters and surprising plot points.
In general, It Came From the Sky focuses on two brothers, Ishmael and Gideon, who find themselves the masterminds of biggest hoax ever played on their town. Their family, Mom, Dad and sister, Maggie, are all portrayed as part of the story in different ways and each has a unique story trajectory that both contributed to the overall plot and stood alone in keeping me interested in this amusing book.
A few of my favorite things about this YA novel:
Gideon is portrayed as a gay, science-minded junior in high school who probably registers somewhere on the autism spectrum. The great part about his character, however, is that neither his sexual preference nor his neuro-atypicality, while germain to the story, are treated as particularly noteworthy. That's just who Gideon is. The fact that he has a boyfriend was actually so minimally highlighted at the beginning of the book that my son (who had never heard the name Gideon before) assumed heterosexuality and thought he was a girl for a couple of chapters.
The Hofstadt family feels real. Mom and Dad have inherited some money and a family farm and aren't pressed to have careers outside of the home so Dad stays home with the kids while Mom is incredibly involved in a multi-level marketing business/scheme. The dynamic that occurs between them and between them and their children is believable, heartwarming and amusing. It didn't surprise me at all that, in the midst of this major hoax, Mom and Dad are aware that Gideon and Ishmael are in over their heads but refuse to acknowledge the situation to 'teach them a lesson.' I could relate to that kind of parenting and loved Sedoti made that editorial choice.
This is primarily a story about two brothers but the women are not afterthoughts in this story. Sister Maggie has her own basket of cats that she is wrangling throughout the story (much to her brothers' surprise) and Gideon's closest friends Cassie and Arden are strong, determined young women who are very different in their approaches to life. Their relationships with Gideon as well as their 'stories' outside of his hoax are integral to the plot and to the ultimate resolution of Gideon and Ishmael's big mess!
This story is told in an interesting format: journal notes, online stories, blog comments, etc. make the story move along quickly and kept me intrigued and entertained by the whole cast of characters. There's a little folk tale that runs underneath that main plot and ties the whole thing together. It never took my attention away from the story of Gideon and Ishmael but it left me smiling at the end when I saw was Sedoti was able to do!
The book is 452 pages start to finish but I was flabbergasted when I actually went back to look up that number. It reads so quickly - very short chapters punctuated by interviews, text messages, etc. keep it moving and the plot thickens with every page you turn.
While it may never qualify as 'serious literary fiction,' there's something to be said for an interesting, amusing story told in such a way that you come to care about the characters and the story's outcome. I highly recommend this book for young men and women who are looking for a fun romp of a read that will leave them amused, educated and feeling satisfied at the end of the book! And, if you happen to be the parent of one of those young men or women, by all means, read along! You won't regret it!
https://mamapandabear.com/2020/09/28/...
It Came From the Sky did not disappoint. I had previously read Chelsea Sedoti's As You Wish on my own and found myself charmed and intrigued by her work. I wasn't surprised to find the It Came From the Sky was similarly intriguing and contained lots of lovable characters and surprising plot points.
In general, It Came From the Sky focuses on two brothers, Ishmael and Gideon, who find themselves the masterminds of biggest hoax ever played on their town. Their family, Mom, Dad and sister, Maggie, are all portrayed as part of the story in different ways and each has a unique story trajectory that both contributed to the overall plot and stood alone in keeping me interested in this amusing book.
A few of my favorite things about this YA novel:
Gideon is portrayed as a gay, science-minded junior in high school who probably registers somewhere on the autism spectrum. The great part about his character, however, is that neither his sexual preference nor his neuro-atypicality, while germain to the story, are treated as particularly noteworthy. That's just who Gideon is. The fact that he has a boyfriend was actually so minimally highlighted at the beginning of the book that my son (who had never heard the name Gideon before) assumed heterosexuality and thought he was a girl for a couple of chapters.
The Hofstadt family feels real. Mom and Dad have inherited some money and a family farm and aren't pressed to have careers outside of the home so Dad stays home with the kids while Mom is incredibly involved in a multi-level marketing business/scheme. The dynamic that occurs between them and between them and their children is believable, heartwarming and amusing. It didn't surprise me at all that, in the midst of this major hoax, Mom and Dad are aware that Gideon and Ishmael are in over their heads but refuse to acknowledge the situation to 'teach them a lesson.' I could relate to that kind of parenting and loved Sedoti made that editorial choice.
This is primarily a story about two brothers but the women are not afterthoughts in this story. Sister Maggie has her own basket of cats that she is wrangling throughout the story (much to her brothers' surprise) and Gideon's closest friends Cassie and Arden are strong, determined young women who are very different in their approaches to life. Their relationships with Gideon as well as their 'stories' outside of his hoax are integral to the plot and to the ultimate resolution of Gideon and Ishmael's big mess!
This story is told in an interesting format: journal notes, online stories, blog comments, etc. make the story move along quickly and kept me intrigued and entertained by the whole cast of characters. There's a little folk tale that runs underneath that main plot and ties the whole thing together. It never took my attention away from the story of Gideon and Ishmael but it left me smiling at the end when I saw was Sedoti was able to do!
The book is 452 pages start to finish but I was flabbergasted when I actually went back to look up that number. It reads so quickly - very short chapters punctuated by interviews, text messages, etc. keep it moving and the plot thickens with every page you turn.
While it may never qualify as 'serious literary fiction,' there's something to be said for an interesting, amusing story told in such a way that you come to care about the characters and the story's outcome. I highly recommend this book for young men and women who are looking for a fun romp of a read that will leave them amused, educated and feeling satisfied at the end of the book! And, if you happen to be the parent of one of those young men or women, by all means, read along! You won't regret it!
https://mamapandabear.com/2020/09/28/...
May 10, 2020
Gideon is a serious student who aspires to attend MIT and eventually work for NASA. When a science experiment goes wrong (Gideon blows up part of his family farm thanks to his prank-loving older brother, Ishmael), the two brothers decide to pull an even bigger prank and convince their town of Lansburg, PA and the world that extraterrestrials are to blame. At first Gideon is conflicted, but soon he becomes invested in prolonging the hoax as a sociological experiment that will surely get him noticed by MIT. UFO sightings, alien abductions, lights in the sky...as more and more people in town claim to have seen evidence of aliens, the hoax begins to take on a life of its ownl. When a multi level marketing guru tries to cash in on the excitement about the extraterrestrials, things really spin out of control. Meanwhile, Gideon’s relationship with his secret boyfriend (Gideon’s choice), as well as his family’s happiness is threatened. How much will the brothers risk for their prank?
Readers will laugh out loud, particularly at Ishmael’s efforts to help the hoax grow. The format is lots of fun with text messages, blog posts, interview excerpts, and scientific interludes to move the plot along. Gideon’s neuroatypical nature (he’s probably on the spectrum, but never identifies as such), as well as the LGBTQ relationship are welcome additions to this fun story, as well.
I personally had a hard time connecting with the main character, Gideon. It may have been because he was so socially awkward, but I think it was mostly because he acts pretty arrogant through most of the book. I also thought the book was longer than it needed to be and dragged in the middle.
Readers will laugh out loud, particularly at Ishmael’s efforts to help the hoax grow. The format is lots of fun with text messages, blog posts, interview excerpts, and scientific interludes to move the plot along. Gideon’s neuroatypical nature (he’s probably on the spectrum, but never identifies as such), as well as the LGBTQ relationship are welcome additions to this fun story, as well.
I personally had a hard time connecting with the main character, Gideon. It may have been because he was so socially awkward, but I think it was mostly because he acts pretty arrogant through most of the book. I also thought the book was longer than it needed to be and dragged in the middle.
July 29, 2020
For a more in-depth review watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIm5_...
Gideon has always dreamed of going to MIT but he knows he’s application may not be enough to get him noticed. Gideon plans to cause a seismic event that will get the prestigious school to notice him. However, when his brother, Ishmael gets involved what was supposed to be a small event turns into a large explosion. The brothers tell one little lie to cover up what they did and that lie grows into something that neither of them could control.
I had a very mixed reaction to this book. On the surface, the book lacked character development and was in no way realistic. However, in another way, this book was just really entertaining. The book is very quirky with silly moments that will make you laugh out loud. Also, the plot verges on the ridiculous to the point that it is almost a farce. Yet, those are the reasons that it is so much fun to read. Gideon and Ishmael hatch a far fetched plot without any real plans that unravel in a way that was just really entertaining. Readers looking for a serious book should avoid this one but if you just want a fun story told in a unique way then you should definitely read it.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Gideon has always dreamed of going to MIT but he knows he’s application may not be enough to get him noticed. Gideon plans to cause a seismic event that will get the prestigious school to notice him. However, when his brother, Ishmael gets involved what was supposed to be a small event turns into a large explosion. The brothers tell one little lie to cover up what they did and that lie grows into something that neither of them could control.
I had a very mixed reaction to this book. On the surface, the book lacked character development and was in no way realistic. However, in another way, this book was just really entertaining. The book is very quirky with silly moments that will make you laugh out loud. Also, the plot verges on the ridiculous to the point that it is almost a farce. Yet, those are the reasons that it is so much fun to read. Gideon and Ishmael hatch a far fetched plot without any real plans that unravel in a way that was just really entertaining. Readers looking for a serious book should avoid this one but if you just want a fun story told in a unique way then you should definitely read it.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2020
*arc from Netgalley*
This book was a surprise. I didn't expect to be this involved in Gideon and Ishmael's life, but I was, I was committed! What started as a "simple" explosion, turned into alien hoax, turned senior year prank, became a national sensation that totally blew up out of proportion and changed the lives of a little town's citizens forever!
The mc is gay, definitely neurodiverse even if not clearly specified, a science nerd, space enthusiast, and is a ball of anxiety. I wanted to protect him from page 1. The book is about an alien hoax/prank Gideon and his brother start, and it's about the sibling bond, family, friendship, a bit about relationship, expressing emotions, the power of persuasion, about the fear of the future and feeling like you're a starfish in a world where they're usually forgotten. It gave me tons of feelings, from laughter to heartbreak. It's told in reports, interviews, blog posts, texts, etc. I definitely recommend it!
This book was a surprise. I didn't expect to be this involved in Gideon and Ishmael's life, but I was, I was committed! What started as a "simple" explosion, turned into alien hoax, turned senior year prank, became a national sensation that totally blew up out of proportion and changed the lives of a little town's citizens forever!
The mc is gay, definitely neurodiverse even if not clearly specified, a science nerd, space enthusiast, and is a ball of anxiety. I wanted to protect him from page 1. The book is about an alien hoax/prank Gideon and his brother start, and it's about the sibling bond, family, friendship, a bit about relationship, expressing emotions, the power of persuasion, about the fear of the future and feeling like you're a starfish in a world where they're usually forgotten. It gave me tons of feelings, from laughter to heartbreak. It's told in reports, interviews, blog posts, texts, etc. I definitely recommend it!
August 12, 2020
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: Branding/Mutilation, Pedophilia (teenager)
4
Gideon's science experiments haven't always gone right, but they've never gone this wrong before. Or, gotten this gigantic. When a lie to save their skin turns into a rumor about aliens, Gideon and his brother Ishmael have to figure out a way to quiet it all down again. Or... do they? It could be a social experiment powerful enough to get Gideon into his dream school, if he can control it. But controlling something this big is harder than creating a rumor is, especially when people begin to claim "abduction", and the charming leader of a pyramid scheme finds himself in town, apparently due to alien messages. It's just a few lies, right?
I really didn't think I'd like this book when I started it. Gideon is the "boy genius" trope, from his lab to his stilted, formal way of speaking, and I was sick of him immediately. I also was completely annoyed and disgusted by his decision to turn the rumor into an experiment. However, I'm glad I stuck it out because Sedoti's storytelling isn't nearly as straight forward as I was expecting, and she adds more nuance than I originally gave her credit for.
The story of this book is more expansive than I thought it would be. There's plenty of details that really lend to the hectic yet put together quality of it all- the additional manipulations like the radio scrambler, the brain storming, the weird pyramid scheme cult itself. The point of this whole thing is that things branch off and become messy and complicated, and you see that in the layering of the story as well, which I really appreciated. I started this book not caring much about any of it, and by the mid-point I couldn't put it down. You get sucked in, and you can feel Gideon get sucked in, and you become allies in a way.
Gideon's relationship was a big plus for me from its introduction. This is the first moment where he shows more depth than just a Science-y trope, and even though his boyfriend doesn't get that much spotlight, and so not much room to show his own depth, it compliments Gideon well enough for you to feel like it's there. He is a vivid character in contrast with Gideon, and also makes it easier to see Gideon's 3-dimensional self. Also, as well as adding a needed perspective to Gideon, it's a cute side plot to see Gideon actually working through his feelings and trying to show Owen how he feels about him.
Gideon's motivation that drives him to manipulate the entire town could have easily been something over dramatic, like revenge, and I'm so happy that it wasn't. It is a clear character flaw, perpetuated by the encouragement of people pushing him for their own gain. Gideon needs to be seen, he needs to prove his own abilities and importance to himself and to others, and he is obviously putting a lot of weight on this whole ordeal, so you can see why he would slip further and further.
Gideon is a really great character, and he 100% proved me and my expectations wrong. He begins this story, as I said, as a fairly flat, boy genius, emotionless character, but as the book goes on you get to see him, not just grow (as many Boy Genius characters grow a conscience or a heart), but you are allowed to see the layers peel away and actually see more of him than he presents the world with. This is the first time I have seen a character connected to this trope that actually had a good reason to be that way. At every turn you're confronted, both subtly and less so, of how much he relies on other people's image of him. The way you learn about his low self esteem and the sheer size of that, little by little, both through the context of his situation and as he himself begins to confront it, his self doubt and fear over his identity and role in the world, it's all very organic and genuine. And the stubborn anxiousness of acting out of spite or pride is really human and relateable, where even though you're frustrated with him, I think most readers can completely understand why he can't just back down, at least not with the way that he's looking at things. Gideon is actually one of the realest characters I've seen in a long time.
Also, side note, I appreciate that the difference between school intelligence, wisdom, and other types of intelligence are shown to be different (though all important), and Gideon understands that he only really has one of them, and doesn't always play into his Smart image.
As for what didn't work for me, I'm not really a fan of novels made up of notes and/or interviews, so the aspects of that weren't really enjoyable for me, but that's a completely personal opinion. Also, the jokes about "cow mutilation" made me really uncomfortable.
Mostly, I think issues arose where things didn't find proper conclusions or their place in the narrative. For example, the cult Gideon's sister was creating never fit into the story or added anything to it. I truly don't see the point of this side story. I also wish there could have been more of an arc with their parents, particularly with the mom. There is technically an ending there, but it didn't feel like it was quite what it was meant to be. Finally, Cass is clearly a character Sedoti likes, and she is interesting and unique from the other characters, but she doesn't get any time of her own, and I spent a lot of the second half waiting for something to happen there.
"Go out and find your glory."
I've been thinking about this book a lot since I read it, which is an endorsement in itself. Gideon is such a dynamic, layered character, and the emotion of this book is captivating, so that it keeps a hold on you.
TW: Branding/Mutilation, Pedophilia (teenager)
4
Gideon's science experiments haven't always gone right, but they've never gone this wrong before. Or, gotten this gigantic. When a lie to save their skin turns into a rumor about aliens, Gideon and his brother Ishmael have to figure out a way to quiet it all down again. Or... do they? It could be a social experiment powerful enough to get Gideon into his dream school, if he can control it. But controlling something this big is harder than creating a rumor is, especially when people begin to claim "abduction", and the charming leader of a pyramid scheme finds himself in town, apparently due to alien messages. It's just a few lies, right?
I really didn't think I'd like this book when I started it. Gideon is the "boy genius" trope, from his lab to his stilted, formal way of speaking, and I was sick of him immediately. I also was completely annoyed and disgusted by his decision to turn the rumor into an experiment. However, I'm glad I stuck it out because Sedoti's storytelling isn't nearly as straight forward as I was expecting, and she adds more nuance than I originally gave her credit for.
The story of this book is more expansive than I thought it would be. There's plenty of details that really lend to the hectic yet put together quality of it all- the additional manipulations like the radio scrambler, the brain storming, the weird pyramid scheme cult itself. The point of this whole thing is that things branch off and become messy and complicated, and you see that in the layering of the story as well, which I really appreciated. I started this book not caring much about any of it, and by the mid-point I couldn't put it down. You get sucked in, and you can feel Gideon get sucked in, and you become allies in a way.
Gideon's relationship was a big plus for me from its introduction. This is the first moment where he shows more depth than just a Science-y trope, and even though his boyfriend doesn't get that much spotlight, and so not much room to show his own depth, it compliments Gideon well enough for you to feel like it's there. He is a vivid character in contrast with Gideon, and also makes it easier to see Gideon's 3-dimensional self. Also, as well as adding a needed perspective to Gideon, it's a cute side plot to see Gideon actually working through his feelings and trying to show Owen how he feels about him.
Gideon's motivation that drives him to manipulate the entire town could have easily been something over dramatic, like revenge, and I'm so happy that it wasn't. It is a clear character flaw, perpetuated by the encouragement of people pushing him for their own gain. Gideon needs to be seen, he needs to prove his own abilities and importance to himself and to others, and he is obviously putting a lot of weight on this whole ordeal, so you can see why he would slip further and further.
Gideon is a really great character, and he 100% proved me and my expectations wrong. He begins this story, as I said, as a fairly flat, boy genius, emotionless character, but as the book goes on you get to see him, not just grow (as many Boy Genius characters grow a conscience or a heart), but you are allowed to see the layers peel away and actually see more of him than he presents the world with. This is the first time I have seen a character connected to this trope that actually had a good reason to be that way. At every turn you're confronted, both subtly and less so, of how much he relies on other people's image of him. The way you learn about his low self esteem and the sheer size of that, little by little, both through the context of his situation and as he himself begins to confront it, his self doubt and fear over his identity and role in the world, it's all very organic and genuine. And the stubborn anxiousness of acting out of spite or pride is really human and relateable, where even though you're frustrated with him, I think most readers can completely understand why he can't just back down, at least not with the way that he's looking at things. Gideon is actually one of the realest characters I've seen in a long time.
Also, side note, I appreciate that the difference between school intelligence, wisdom, and other types of intelligence are shown to be different (though all important), and Gideon understands that he only really has one of them, and doesn't always play into his Smart image.
As for what didn't work for me, I'm not really a fan of novels made up of notes and/or interviews, so the aspects of that weren't really enjoyable for me, but that's a completely personal opinion. Also, the jokes about "cow mutilation" made me really uncomfortable.
Mostly, I think issues arose where things didn't find proper conclusions or their place in the narrative. For example, the cult Gideon's sister was creating never fit into the story or added anything to it. I truly don't see the point of this side story. I also wish there could have been more of an arc with their parents, particularly with the mom. There is technically an ending there, but it didn't feel like it was quite what it was meant to be. Finally, Cass is clearly a character Sedoti likes, and she is interesting and unique from the other characters, but she doesn't get any time of her own, and I spent a lot of the second half waiting for something to happen there.
"Go out and find your glory."
I've been thinking about this book a lot since I read it, which is an endorsement in itself. Gideon is such a dynamic, layered character, and the emotion of this book is captivating, so that it keeps a hold on you.
July 4, 2022
4.25 stars
So much fun! Loved the mixed media elements and the whole premise of a hoax.
Would have been cool to see more science-y hoax stuff rather than letting the townsfolk imagine it all.
Semi spoilers about the villain -
I kinda feel like they just... Skipped over the fact that the baddie was a paedo!? Like... He was in sexual relationships with under 16s and they were kinda just like 'oh she's only young, that's not ok' then went back to whatever they were doing. They didn't even tell the police til the very end. That felt a bit icky.
So much fun! Loved the mixed media elements and the whole premise of a hoax.
Would have been cool to see more science-y hoax stuff rather than letting the townsfolk imagine it all.
Semi spoilers about the villain -
I kinda feel like they just... Skipped over the fact that the baddie was a paedo!? Like... He was in sexual relationships with under 16s and they were kinda just like 'oh she's only young, that's not ok' then went back to whatever they were doing. They didn't even tell the police til the very end. That felt a bit icky.
December 21, 2019
Received an arc from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about two brothers who made their whole town believe it was invaded by aliens. How they did it? See for yourself.
It began with an explosion. The explosion was intentional. The events that followed were not.
For me the characters felt really relatable. Especially Gideon and Arden. They felt real and while there wasn’t that much development for some characters I still felt like it was enough. I definitely loved to see a healthy brother-brother relationship, because I don’t feel like we see that portrayed very often.
The plot in this book is great. There might be a thing or two that I would’ve changed but I immensely enjoyed the story. I liked how the book was built and how it was fast paced. The town Lansburg was perfectly made and if I would’ve lived there I would’ve believed in those aliens too.
If you like reading about extraterrestrials or just a really really good hoax than this book is for you! For me it was definitely a can’t-put-it-down book!
This book is about two brothers who made their whole town believe it was invaded by aliens. How they did it? See for yourself.
It began with an explosion. The explosion was intentional. The events that followed were not.
For me the characters felt really relatable. Especially Gideon and Arden. They felt real and while there wasn’t that much development for some characters I still felt like it was enough. I definitely loved to see a healthy brother-brother relationship, because I don’t feel like we see that portrayed very often.
The plot in this book is great. There might be a thing or two that I would’ve changed but I immensely enjoyed the story. I liked how the book was built and how it was fast paced. The town Lansburg was perfectly made and if I would’ve lived there I would’ve believed in those aliens too.
If you like reading about extraterrestrials or just a really really good hoax than this book is for you! For me it was definitely a can’t-put-it-down book!
April 9, 2020
Chelsea Sedoti’s last novel for young adults was As You Wish,which was a humorous take on a small-town life… if the people of your small town get three wishes when they turn eighteen. It was a really fun “what if” kind of book. All the really fun “what if” kinds of books seem to disappear from the shelves of my high school library. As You Wish disappeared last year and hasn’t been seen since.
So I was really excited to hear that Sedoti was coming out with another “what if” kind of book set in a small town inhabited with lots of quirky characters who have a way of choosing to do their own thing. It Came From the Skydoes not disappoint.
Super geek Gideon Hofstadt convinces his older brother Ishmael to help him out in a science experiment to see whether or not his homemade seismometer actually works. They need to create a small explosion at their family farm. This explosion leaves a crater, which the boys choose to explain away by blaming it on an alien landing.
There are many in the town that choose to believe this story and Ishmael is also eager to turn this into the best senior prank that the school has ever seen. Reluctant Gideon goes along because he thinks that this could become a great sociology experiment that might just seal his application to MIT.
What they don’t bargain on are the alien truthers out there who descend upon their small town in tents and RVs and a “messianic” founder of a multi level marketing scheme who needs to use the alien story for his own purposes.
Truth gets twisted around in this story, which can be lots of fun, especially when the reader is trying to figure out which characters are buying into the story and which aren’t.
What is believable is Gideon. He’s the real deal. He likes people and has some really great friends, including a handsome secret boyfriend, but he also needs his privacy and his time away from people, which frustrates his friends and definitely his mom, who doesn’t get his introverted side at all. He’s really a likable character.
The ending is unexpected, but also satisfying. Lots of readers will want to try out this one.
So I was really excited to hear that Sedoti was coming out with another “what if” kind of book set in a small town inhabited with lots of quirky characters who have a way of choosing to do their own thing. It Came From the Skydoes not disappoint.
Super geek Gideon Hofstadt convinces his older brother Ishmael to help him out in a science experiment to see whether or not his homemade seismometer actually works. They need to create a small explosion at their family farm. This explosion leaves a crater, which the boys choose to explain away by blaming it on an alien landing.
There are many in the town that choose to believe this story and Ishmael is also eager to turn this into the best senior prank that the school has ever seen. Reluctant Gideon goes along because he thinks that this could become a great sociology experiment that might just seal his application to MIT.
What they don’t bargain on are the alien truthers out there who descend upon their small town in tents and RVs and a “messianic” founder of a multi level marketing scheme who needs to use the alien story for his own purposes.
Truth gets twisted around in this story, which can be lots of fun, especially when the reader is trying to figure out which characters are buying into the story and which aren’t.
What is believable is Gideon. He’s the real deal. He likes people and has some really great friends, including a handsome secret boyfriend, but he also needs his privacy and his time away from people, which frustrates his friends and definitely his mom, who doesn’t get his introverted side at all. He’s really a likable character.
The ending is unexpected, but also satisfying. Lots of readers will want to try out this one.
February 3, 2021
Fast-paced coming-of-age story with fake aliens and real charlatans. This novel was pretty amusing and light-hearted, a good stress-free read.
January 2, 2023
This was very far from what I thought I'd be getting. I expected more media content and a focus on the (fake) sci-fi aspect. But somehow we got an MLM subplot and a romance that was quite prominent.
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