Cold Cereal audiobook

Read the complete and original review at Word SpelunkingMagical creatures (leprechauns, rabbit-men, fay, a might be bigfoot), clever young characters, wicked baddies, and an action packed, wildly fun and funny story…Cold Cereal by Adam Rex has everything you could ever want in an MG fantasy…and a heck of a lot that you never even knew you wanted!SUMMARY ON BACK OF ARCScottish Play Doe—aka Scott—is used to being a little different, and not just because of his name. Sometimes he hallucinates things no one else can see: mermaids. Unicorns. A talking rabbit-man in tweed pants.But then one of these hallucinations tries to steal Scott’s backpack, and he comes face-to-face with an honest-to-goodness leprechaun in a tiny red tracksuit. Mick not only claims that Scott must be part faerie, but desperately needs his help—Mick’s on the run from, of all things, the Goodco Cereal Company.With the help of his friends Erno and Emily (who have their own weird connection to Goodco), and their enormous and suspiciously hairy housekeeper, Biggs, Scott and Mick uncover Goodco’s sinister plans—and take the first steps in saving the world from the evil cereal company.~~~~If asked to describe this book in one sentence, I’d go with: It’s deliciously kooky and slightly twisted.To me, this description best conveys the awesomeness of Cold Cereal. With this book, Rex offers readers an exciting and captivating story full of imagination and originality.This is a longer MG book, at over 400 pages, but it’s easy to devour in one or two sittings. Fast paced, the story flows quickly but efficiently, and will hold the attention of even younger readers from beginning to end. The writing is smart and perfect for its intended audience.The storyline itself follows a well-known and used, basic MG outline (new kid moves to town, befriends outsiders, discovers some strange, evil plan, goes on a crazy adventure to stop the bad guys) just enough to give readers a sense of familiarity, but mixes things up by stepping outside the (cereal) box. One of the aspects I love best about this book is that expected things happen in sensationally unexpected ways. The twists, turns, and surprises never stop coming!So, what makes this story so deliciously kooky (and I use the term “kooky” in the most complimentary way)? Well, there are the fantasy elements which are enchanting, fantastical and odd…or as I like to put it- enchantastically (I will be trademarking this totally boss new word) odd. Now, for many older readers the words “kooky” and “odd” may be a deterrent, but for younger readers these words are like marshmallows in cereal- they pretty much guarantee awesomeness. Then there’s the satirical Goodco Cereal Company. Older readers will find the satirical look at consumerism amusing and maybe even thought-provoking, but younger readers will get it too…but I’ll discuss this notion more in a bit. And of course, there’s the humor, the wildly over the top (but in the best way possible) situations, and the eclectic, eccentric characters…all of which add to the overall wondrous kookiness.But what about the slightly twisted part, you ask? Rex takes his story to some very surprising places and not just surprising as in not expected, but surprising as in Oh snap! Did they really just Go There in a MG book?!. I love a book and author who isn’t afraid to Go There and Cold Cereal definitely goes there.And of course, among all this kooky twistedness are some wonderful characters. The characters in this book are superbly written and developed, and are all engaging and compelling. Our three main younger characters, Scott, Erno and Emily, are endearing; likable; relatable; and easy to root for. Emily is an especially intriguing character that is delightfully unstable…and having written a character that I am compelled to describe as such is, on its own, enough of a reason to be impressed with author Adam Rex.Like a lot of MG books, the younger characters in Cold Cereal kind of run the show, which I love and I think many younger readers do as well. They are the ones who outsmart the baddies, take the dangerous risks, and save the day. And like the clever young characters in the story, I think younger readers will appreciate the fact that Rex doesn’t over simplify his story and plot because he believes that his young readership will simply “get” his story. And they will. They’ll get (and totally dig) the kookiness and they’ll handle and be fascinated by the twistedness.The ending sets up future books nicely, but also offers a satisfying stand-alone conclusion.***Important Update Because I Forget To Mention This***There is a Goonies reference in this book....!!!!!!!.....that is all.MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Adam Rex’s Cold Cereal offers a colorful and tasty reading experience. Readers of all ages will be captivated by this book and crave seconds. A definite MUST read!

Q: Is this book funny? A: Well, don’t read it while you are actually trying to eat cold cereal, or you run the risk of blowing milk out your nose and possibly getting a blue candy marshmallow lodged in your sinus cavity.Q: Does this book illuminate important social issues? Can it be read within the marxist critical framework?A: Yeah, sure.Q: Does it have lots of vampires?A. Not really, no.

I have to give this book five stars for its utter originality. It is strange and funny and compelling at the same time. Adam Rex really had his work cut out when he devised this bizarre story, and he managed somehow to make every element plausible. I was really engaged. It's a book about an evil breakfast cereal company run by a crazy cult, and yet I was able to buy in completely. That's an imppressive piece of writing. I look forward to the sequel.

This book has everything: non-stop action, a host of interesting and well-developed characters, complex and creative world-building, tons of humor but many touching parts as well, and charming illustrations. Also, a unicat.

I loved Adam Rex's first foray into middle grade books, the award-winning THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY. COLD CEREAL, unlike SMEKDAY, doesn't begin with an alien invasion and thus takes a bit longer to get off the ground. Instead, we're introduced to the Cold Cereal Trilogy's rather large ensemble which includes Erno and Emily Utz, twins who look nothing alike and live with their foster father and giant nanny, and Scottish Play Doe, the new kid in school who sees strange things. One of those things being Mick, a clurichaun who claims that local company Goodco is capturing magical creatures.But once COLD CEREAL gets going, it's a terrific ride. There's a variety of things being mocked, from the claims made on the side of children's cereal boxes to mystical cults. Even symbolism takes a hint. And it isn't just leprechauns and pooka's running around Goodborough - there's many unexpected legends waiting to make their appearances.There are lots of riddles to solve, which I always loved in books as a child. There's nothing like trying to play along. I really enjoyed the two sibling relationships. Scott and his little sister Polly get on each other's nerves and Erno and Emily are forced into false competition, but both are obviously loving. I think Biggs might be my favorite side character, if only because his scenes were always hilarious.The ARC didn't contain all of the illustrations, but the ones I could see were terrific. Adam Rex's illustrations are detailed and I love the comics done to illustrate Goodco's commericals. (It's a wonder Goodco ever rose to prominence considering one of they sold "Burlap Crisp" with a surly magical spokesman.) You can see some of the illustrations on his blog, as well as download yourself a Mick paper doll.Today it seems like many trilogies take that as an excuse to leave the first book open-ended. While the evil Goodco still exists, COLD CEREAL does have an actual climax. Scott, Erno, Emily, and their friends prove to be a formidable opposition to the cereal corporation. I look forward to the next book in the trilogy!

Have you ever picked up a book on a sheer whim? Maybe it wasn't a whim exactly which led me to read, "Cold Cereal" but the book's odd brand of whimsy radiated from the moment I laid eyes on the cover.In a plot that might delight fans of Terry Pratchet, Lemony Snicket and Monty Python, a clash of fairies, knights and breakfast cereals come together in a hodgepodge of humor and adventure that makes up the first in what appears to be a new series. Scottish Play Doe (Scott) is the son of a movie star father and a physicist mother who had split years ago. Since then, Scott's mom has collected boyfriends, jobs and new addresses. This would be stressful enough if Scott didn't seem to suffer from delusional visions of mythical creatures. When Scott and his sister (Polly AKA Polly Esther Doe) relocate to accommodate their mother's new job at the Goodco cereal company, Scott's delusions begin to spiral out of hand. On his way to his first day of school he encounters a Rabbit-Man wearing pants who begs Scott to hide him from some mysterious enemy. Scott ignores what he believes to be a figment of his imagination (especially since the Rabbit-Man is followed by the vision of a unicat. Sort of like a unicorn but a cat) which somehow seems even more insane than the talking Rabbit.However when Scott rescues a lephrechaun from capture while on a field trip who suggests Scott himself may be a changeling the story surges forward at a madcap pace with grins and action at every turn. Along with orphaned twins Erno Utz (genius) and Emily Utz (super genius and mysterious outcast) who have been wards of Goodco as long as they can recall, Scott and his magical companions uncover a mystery which began in the days of King Arthur. I will be recommending this one to my avid readers who adore a little oddness with their brand of fantasy.

Yet another fabulous audio book penned by Adam Rex. At this rate, I'm not sure I would enjoy reading the physical book as much on my own as hearing them read in such fabulous voices. This was a different narrator than "The True Meaning of Shmeckday", but the range was equally as impressive! The story had an excellent blend of characters, contemporary culture, mythology and advertising/consumption as a means to take over the world. A truly enjoyable read/listen, the only pro AND con was realizing that there were more books in the series and everything was not about to just wrap up nicely. Looking forward to the installment!

I read "Cold Cereal" after immensely enjoying "The True Meaning of Smekday" series and found Adam Rex had stayed true to form: it was a well-crafted and hilariously fun book. I can't wait to read the rest of the series! Keep it up, Adam Rex!

Just what I expected from Adam Rex: funny, witty, and lots of satire coupled with memorable, three-dimensional characters. This book was a lot of fun! I’d say I liked “The True Meaning of Smekday” more, but that’s because I’m an adult. I think kids might enjoy this one more than Smekday because it moves a little bit faster and has more of the “evil-bad-guys-plotting-things-and-magical-things-happening-but-you’re-not-sure-what” going on. Here’s what it’s about in a nutshell:Scott Doe is a seemingly ordinary kid who just moved to a seemingly ordinary town called Goodborough— home of the Goodco Cereal company that produces delicious cereals for kids. (Adam Rex has a lot of fun with the cereal company and quietly makes fun of real-life cereal products and their mascots like the Trix Rabbit, Lucky the Leprechaun, and Snap, Crackle, and Pop. It’s good fun.) When Scott begins seeing unusual things like rabbit men and unicats, the plot begins to thicken. What are the “good people” at Goodco really up to? Why is Emily Utz super smart? Why does Erno’s and Emily’s dad make up difficult games for them to solve all the time? And WHY is there a little man with a wrinkly face running around that only Scott can see? For the answers to these questions and more, you’ll need to pick up Cold Cereal! Available now at a library near you! It’s magically delicious! *TM

Deep issues cloaked in a kids' story. Absent parents, issues of ethics, understanding that a "glamour" isn't just for magic things... Strong story with a little more violence than I expected but ultimately very easy to get into. The narrator did a fantastic job with all the different voices and accents and had great pacing and expression. Will definitely continue the series.

At first when I got into this book, I thought that it was a bit too much fantasy for me to handle, but then as the story evolved, it really wrapped things together to entice me more into this book. I think that the ending was great because it left a few unanswered questions. but was also satisfying to watch end.

A good book I want my kids to read when they are a little older. It covers corporations, truth in advertising, Arthurian Legend, unnatural food ingredients, and mind control. Overall, very thought provoking. Though, it definitely makes me not want to eat cereal for awhile.

I’m more than a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this - it has all the hallmarks of juvenile garbage and all the makings of an excellent story; it’s good fun and good hearted, and I think both of those are invaluable in a book.