MR. CORBETT IS IN ORBIT!

The popular My Weird School chapter-book series gets a graphic revamp.

At Ella Mentry School, puns and goofiness reign supreme. Narrator A.J.—who dislikes zombies and broccoli as well as school and coffee—truly abhors know-it-all Andrea. Their class takes a field trip to NASA, and while on a space shuttle, a comic mishap finds a peckish A.J. pushing the “launch” button instead of the “lunch” button, propelling the class into the cosmos. Tour guide Mr. Corbett faints, leaving the class’s launch in a lurch when they must figure out how to pilot the vessel. However, when an alien spaceship appears and seems to be nearing the shuttle, what will the class do? 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. Most chapters end with the incantatory cliffhanger “that’s when the weirdest thing in the history of the world happened,” urging readers onward. Gutman briefly touches upon climate change, interspersing a few factoids here and there, and as the plot comes to a close, a zany solution is offered. The issue is addressed with greater seriousness in both an afterword and list of resources. Established fans should be at home here, and the story stands alone well enough to entice new readers, though those new to the rampant jokiness may be overwhelmed by the combined narrative and visual busyness. Most characters present White save for a select few adults (including the titular Mr. Corbett, who is Black) and students.

Catnip for those who relish silliness.