The Christmas Genie

October 26, 2009
So what does a genie have to do with Christmas? Plenty, in Gutman's goofy middle-grade novel. After a genie emerges from a meteorite that has crashed into Chase's fifth-grade classroom, Chase (a personable, funny narrator) and his classmates must decide on one wish. Most chapters are devoted to a single potential wish—Chase's is “I wish I had all the money in the world”—as the kids weigh their options. Despite the ample silliness, Gutman works in discussion of topics like war and divorce as well as the ethical and global ramifications of the various wishes. Ages 8–12.

January 1, 2010
Right before winter vacation, a meteorite crashes into a fifth-grade classroom. Out pops a genie who will grant one wish within an hour's time. The kids' suggestions range from thoughtful (peace in the Middle East) to frivolous (a truck full of candy). Gutman's trademark humor and glimmers of thought-provoking subject matter camouflage a slight plot and a bromidic ending.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

December 1, 2009
Grades 3-6 Rising out of a meteorite that lands in Chases fifth-grade classroom, a genie offers the class a Christmas wish if they can all agree on one in 40 minutes. They suggest everything from a wall-sized TV to peace on earth, but they cant settle on one choice. The suspense mounts as Chases classmates wishesdrawn one by one from a bowlbecome more and more preposterous, the arguments against them become louder, and the clock ticks. Structurally easier to follow than Gutmans The Homework Machine (2006), the first-person narrative here moves chronologically and inexorably to a surprising climax. Supposedly kind of into science stuff, Chase makes a basic mistake about the winter solstice on the third page that savvy middle-grade readers will catch, but that shouldnt lessen their enjoyment of the story. Two lessons are clearly stated: think now about your goals and dreams, and be careful what you wish for. Readers may be laughing too hard to notice. Illustrations not seen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

October 1, 2009
Gr 3-5-When a genie named Bob pops out of a meteorite after crashing through the window of Mrs. Walterss fifth-grade classroom, he grants the students a collective wish as reward for his release. Theres just one hitchthey have only an hour to decide what that wish will be (Bob is cranky after being cooped up for thirteen million light years). What follows is a lively, thought-provoking, and hilarious discussion of the merits and drawbacks of each of their wishes as they attempt to arrive at a decision democratically. Snarky Bob interrupts their provocative and often-heated banter with audacious quips, including digs at Santa Claus, with whom he allegedly grew up. Gutman packs plenty of history, science, and ethics lessons in this fun, well-paced fantasy that happens to take place at Christmas, but will be enjoyed at any time of year. This book is laugh-out-loud funny from page one."Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.