{"product_id":"oddballs-9780140374384","title":"Oddballs","description":"The author of such reliably offbeat sf thrillers as Strange Attractors (1990) radically changes pace for ten hilarious, semi- autobiographical stories. With affection and a splendid sense of comic timing, Sleator drags forth incidents from his family closet's darkest recesses--the time young Tycho was hypnotized and then made to drink from the toilet; an indignant skit that laid bare the failings of certain parents, to their vast amusement; rough-and-tumble car games; and deliciously horrifying pranks played on unsuspecting passersby. Vivid characterizations (sister Vicky   had always enjoyed making dolls fight with each other; when the dolls wore out, she ripped off their arms and legs. Now she is a nurse'') always balance foibles with saving graces; embarrassment is eased by laughter, while painful circumstances always come right in the end. Sleator shows how, in a loosely run household presided over by indulgent working parents, he and his three siblings developed confident, independent spirits. Though he admits to making up a few things, his dedication is telling -   To my family: Please forgive me ''\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e- Kirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Puffin Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/01\/1995\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780140374384\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 144\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.21lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.34h x 4.40w x 0.39d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader Quiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e10294 \/ Oddballs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 6.2 \/ \u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Upper Grade \/ \u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 3\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"William Sleator","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43643935752373,"sku":"9780140374384","price":5.94,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_179d6cf2-b6a0-4cbd-ae55-5670883ee912.jpg?v=1708444921","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/oddballs-9780140374384","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}