The Human Kaboom: 6 Explosively Different Stories with the Same Exact Name!

by Adam Rubin

The author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Dragons Love Tacos and The Ice Cream Machine returns with another hilarious, irresistible collection of six totally different stories with the same exact name.

Adam Rubin is back with this companion to The Ice Cream Machine , inviting you into six thrilling new worlds filled with daring and danger, mystery and mayhem—not to mention explosions! In a swanky New York City hotel, a reclusive guest appears to have spontaneously combusted. On a school field trip to a human anatomy museum in space, two kids try to pull off the greatest prank in history. Somewhere on a deserted island, three siblings try to make a life for themselves after the rest of the planet has been decimated by gigantic rock monsters. And then there's the small, quaint fishing town where a boy visiting his sister stumbles across an ancient curse; the traveling circus where a young girl becomes the assistant to a death-defying human cannonball; and the rugged wilderness where one kid with superpowers just can't seem to find some peace.

Each story is illustrated by a different artist, including Marta Altés, Daniel Gray-Barnett, Rodolfo Montalvo, Daniel Salmieri, Adam de Souza, and Gracey Zhang, with black-and-white artwork that practically explodes off the page. So put on a helmet and hang on tight, because this unpredictable book will blow you away!

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Humor

416 pages, Hardcover

Published February 21, 2023

About the author

Adam Rubin is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of ten critically-acclaimed picture books, including the Those Darn Squirrels trilogy, Dragons Love Tacos, Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel, Secret Pizza Party, Robo-Sauce and El Chupacabras (winner of the 2020 Texas Blue Bonnet award). In between writing projects, he designs and collects optical illusions, puzzles and games. His favorite color is blue, his favorite food is fried chicken, and his favorite animal is the otter. Adam currently lives in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Catharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked some of the stories more than others. Most were playful, but on more than one I thought the ending was a let down. Also there were a few curse words that didn't really add anything to the story and were enough to steer me away from purchasing the book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little collection of short stories! I think my favorites were one, two, and four. This was such a cool concept to think of and I want to try something similar in my own writing. The villain in the first being a Russian who was just upset about looking at a giant tushie just killed me. I loved Edna and her detective skills. The circus one was so heartbreaking. I felt so bad for Zuzanna losing everyone she loved twice, both her family and Hugh. I think I will check out Rubin’s first collection of stories now. Also basically finished this in one sitting if you don’t count the break I took to drive home from work and make dinner before finishing.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with any collection of stories, some resonate with me more than others. I love the idea of one title for six completely different stories. The challenge at the end is fun, too.

[Lauren Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough stories but much less lighthearted than Ice Cream Machine.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This was very similar to The Ice Cream Machine, in that is had novella length stories had different treatments on one theme. Highly illustrated, by a variety of illustrators. Very much in the style of Daniel Pinkwater, with unusual names and quirky characters and plots.

https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my 6th grader. We both enjoyed Adam Rubin's previous collection, The Ice Cream Machine, and this was an equally quirky, fun read. Like The Ice Cream Machine, this collection includes six short stories with the same title. As expected, some stories resonate more than others, but that's part of the point--stories with the same title can be vastly different. My son and I had different favorites, which made for great discussions about reading, writing, and creative inspiration.

A quick heads up: 6th grader and I both noted that this collection was darker than Ice Cream Machine and dealt with heavier topics. It was fine for him, but I might have waited on this one if he were a few years younger. Despite the heavier material, we both laughed out loud many times, and appreciated the funny, complex, 100% human characters woven in these pages. A great read!

[Jj]

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six illustrated stories, each titled, “The Human Kaboom” will have readers laughing and waiting anxiously for the explosion.

[Jonna VanWienen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cool concept- 1 title, 6 stories. Great author’s note