Peter Nelson (2) (1953–)

There were some parts of this book that made me laugh out loud. Here are two of my favorite passages: 1. Alex asks Herbert how his jungle gym turned into a prehistoric jungle."Wormhole," Herbert said.Alex's eyes narrowed. "Call me that again," he said. "I dare you."2. The authors are describing how ugly the G'daliens are:"There is a saying that people say, which goes, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.". The following two pages are blank except for three little show more crickets down in the bottom right corner, with the tiny words, "Chirp, chirp.". Both of these passages cracked me up, and I found the mix of text and art to be a fun way to break this book up. However, I had a couple of issues with this book. I think it is inappropriate to give the G'Daliens a name and an accent that clearly pokes fun at Australians. I could not help picturing an Australian student feeling uncomfortable and targeted while reading this book. I also had a problem with how much this book glorified video games. There were some points when I thought the authors might be sending the opposite message, but then Herbert, Alex and Sammi saved the world by playing a video game! I enjoyed reading this book, but I think I would be cautious with regard to recommending it to students. show less

A clever, funny and totally engaging book for the 8-12 year old set; could be enjoyed by both the reluctant and avid reader alike. Features many relatable ingredients that will appeal to kids, particularly boys, including the comic book style illustrations, language style, humor, etc. Appealing aspects of the book include: Relationship references (zealous parents, super smart and scientifically-savvy neighbor), outer space possibilities (do space aliens really exist? Can we really travel show more through time?), advanced scientific concepts combined with good old fashioned fun (cops and robbers space style), good guy versus bad (will Alex and Herbert evade the gooey doings of GOR-DON?), sports fun (baseball without gravity,) etc.
There are many platforms for discussion in a classroom, including issues of judgement, acceptance of others as well as one’s own self and our interests: Herbert’s older self (he continued inventing, and became rich) is responsible for the final plan to avoid an alien takeover. Video game lovers won’t miss that the whole story begins when Alex unthinkingly promises mom and dad that he’ll put away all games for the rest of the summer - if he could just have the latest AlienSlayer2 game and slay the last alien.
Minor concern: some longer scientific explanations and words. show less

Alex Filby loves video games. But as the summer before sixth grade began, he promised his parents that as soon as he had mastered AlienSlayer 2, he would play outside. Unfortunately, just as he zapped the last Alien Invader, AlienSlayer:3-D! arrived in stores. Alex reluctantly kept his promise however, and even kept the “play date” his mom made with the neighbor boy, nerdy Herbert Slewg.

Herbert is an inventor, and he came up with a way to turn Alex’s jungle gym into a time machine. show more The boys go through a wormhole, and get to fight aliens “for real” in the future. These “G’daliens” speak with an Australian accent (would kids get the joke?), exercise mind control, and exhibit the usual array of menacing evil traits. Needless to add, Alex and Herbert must "zap" these aliens and save the world (and get home before their moms miss notice them missing).

I was disappointed with this book. Herbert’s patter was abstruse and confusing. The future seemed to be a bit overdone – The Jetsons on steroids, one might say. The characters, especially the aliens, lacked the slightest degree of complexity. The humans were also way too stereotypical.

On the positive side, the book showed imagination, and the drawings were charming. But frankly, I lost interest less than halfway into the book. show less

Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

Alex wants to spend his summer playing video games, but his parents have other plans. They've built a (babyish) jungle gym and set up a play date with nerdy science kid, Herbert.

Herbert has spent his summer building a Negative Energy Densifier Suit. When the suits are worn by the boys on Alex's new jungle gym, they open a wormhole to the future. Only in this future, aliens called G'daliens have taken over. They all seem show more friendly enough, except for GOR-DON, who wants the boys destroyed. Now it's up to Alex and Herbert to save the future.

I loved HERBERT'S WORMHOLE. It's the perfect blend of cartoons and novel that readers of all ages will be sure to enjoy. The story is fast-paced and reads like an adventure/science fiction novel, but even if you're not typically a fan of those genres, I would try picking this one up. It's so full of humor, you'll be laughing the whole time.

I would give this to any reader who is looking for something to hold them over until the next DIARY OF A WIMPY KID book is released. Soon, they'll be asking for more adventures of Herbert and Alex. show less