Graphic novel fans, prepare for liftoff! New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman and illustrator Jim Paillot have brought you an all-new series of My Weird School graphic novels! In this first book, A.J. and his friends at Ella Mentry School are headed on a field trip to NASA headquarters. But their tour guide, Mr. Corbett, is a total space cadet! And what happens when A.J. accidentally launches the whole class into outer space?!  Full of visual gags, space aliens, and hilarious full-color illustrations, this is the weirdest graphic novel in the history of the world! With more than 30 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! Gr 2-4-Gutman's "My Weird School" series transitions into graphic novel format. A.J., Andrea, and their classmates at Ella Mentry School seem to take everything in stride, always ready with a joke or sarcastic observation. A teacher in a superhero outfit or another speaking in secret code is simply par for the course. When a lesson on climate change includes a surprise visit to NASA, everyone's excited, and the students launch themselves into space on a shuttle in no time. Characters consistently face readers, inviting them to absorb the many puns, self-aware punch lines, and obliteration of the fourth wall. Chapters are named after their placement in sequence ("The Beginning," "After the Beginning"), and a survey asks how readers are enjoying the book. Adding to the inviting atmosphere is the simple layout with generous wide panels and full-page cartoons. This is a silly, no-stakes adventure that will increase reader familiarity with changing voices and perspectives, and let kids feel like active participants. A.J. is brown-skinned, Andrea is white, and both students and teachers are a diverse group. Back matter includes a list of websites with more information about climate change, as well as a note encouraging children to convince their parents to support politicians endorsed by the Sierra Club and Greenpeace. VERDICT From the opening warning about scenes of "graphic violins," it's clear that weirdness extends to all parts of this out-of-this-world field trip.-Thomas Maluck, Richland Lib., SCα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. “Gutman’s trademark punning panache is instantly recognizable alongside longtime series illustrator Paillot’s vibrant full-color cartoon art, giving this just the right feel of being both new and familiar. Established fans should be at home here, and the story stands alone well enough to entice new readers…Catnip for those who relish silliness.” - Kirkus Reviews “Barely a panel or clever aside goes by without a chuckle or belly laugh. Fans will be absolutely delighted and newcomers no less so.” - Booklist Dan Gutman is the New York Times bestselling author of the Genius Files series; the Baseball Card Adventure series, which has sold more than 2 million copies around the world; and the My Weird School series, which has sold more than 37 million copies. Thanks to his many fans who voted in their classrooms, Dan has received nineteen state book awards and ninety-two state book award nominations. He lives in New York City with his wife. You can visit him online at dangutman.com. Jim Paillot lives in Arizona (another weird place) with his weird wife and two weird children. Isn’t that weird? You can visit him on his weird website at jimpaillot.com.