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Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
21 posts | 14 read | 7 to read
The Blythes are a big, warm, rambunctious family who live on a small farm and sometimes foster children. Now Prez has come to live with them. But, though he seems cheerful and helpful, he never says a word. Then one day Prez answers the door to someone claiming to be his relative. This small, loud stranger carries a backpack, walks with a swagger and goes by the name of Sputnik. As Prez dithers on the doorstep, Sputnik strolls right past him and introduces himself to everyone in the household. Prez is amazed at the response. The family pat Sputnik on the head, call him a good boy and drop food into his mouth. It seems they all think Sputnik is a dog. It's only Prez who thinks otherwise. But Prez soon finds himself having to defend the family from the chaos and danger unleashed by Sputnik, as household items come to life - like a TV remote that fast-forwards people: 'Anyone can do it, it's just that people don't read the instructions properly'; and a toy lightsaber that entertains guests at a children's party, until one of them is nearly decapitated by it - and Prez is going to have to use his voice to explain himself. It turns out that Sputnik is writing a guidebook to Earth called Ten Things Worth Doing on Earth, and he takes Prez on a journey to discover just those ten things. Each adventure seems to take Prez nearer to the heart of the family he is being fostered by. But they also take him closer to the day that he is due to leave them forever . . .
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Balibee146
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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I'll admit I only picked up this middle grade on Audible for Peter Capaldi narrating (have loved him since being obsessed with the film Local Hero in the 80s).....not far in but shaping up to be a great listen.

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mandarchy
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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Pickpick

This is my book talk stack. I love Sputnik's guide for so many reasons. If you like Scotland, weird visitors that could be aliens or hallucinations, and middle grade fiction this book might be for you.

Johanna414 Some of my favorites are in this stack! Sputnik's was soooo fun! 3y
Tamra My kids really enjoyed the Ghost series 3y
mandarchy @Tamra I need to check. I don't think my library has the whole series. It is really good. 3y
Tamra @mandarchy I should also say I really enjoyed the series too - we read it aloud. Definitely check! 3y
59 likes4 comments
quote
jkraynak
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce

“...instead, a column of blinding, buzzing, red lights sliced through the air.” “....I am the Sputnik,” said Sputnik.

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jkraynak
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce

I like how Sputnik, the dog, has lots of fun super powers. He can fly and levitate stuff. Superheroes and powers are usually interesting topics for elementary students.

review
jkraynak
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
Pickpick

This is another book I skimmed through that I want to read all of. It seems very witty and cheerful, but also strange and intriguing. Sputnik, is a mysterious creature, but looks and seems like a dog to most. I think kids would find this humorous and an interesting idea for a story.

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abbychlosta
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce

“The whole history of your wee planet is nothing but people looking for a home.“

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abbychlosta
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce

I only read the summaries of this book and a small snippet of a chapter, but from what I read it seems like a super interesting book and an intriguing storyline. I think children would really enjoy this book.

review
abbychlosta
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
Pickpick

Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Boyce is a piece of modern fantasy. It was written in 2017. This book is about a family that adopts children. One day they adopt Prez and he is a happy boy, but he does not say any words. Later something appears on their doorstep claiming to be Prez's relative, their name is Sputnik. Sputnik rocks this whole families world and Prez has to protect them from it. Wish I had time to read this it seems so good!

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rabbitprincess
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
Pickpick

The first audiobook I've ever read twice! Peter Capaldi does an excellent job with this wonderful book. I was nearly constantly smiling while listening to it. And occasionally shedding a tear. Highly recommended.

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NovelNancyM
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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Pickpick

Prez is adrift - he doesn't have parents & his grandpa has Alzheimer's. He's at a foster home farm for the summer. One night he hears a knock at the door & meets Sputnik - a kilt and goggle wearing kid who hears Prez's thoughts and talks to him. Everyone else sees Prez as a dog. Sputnik is from outer space & has come to save Earth by discovering the 10 best things on it. Everything is an adventure with Sputnik who can time travel through space.

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rabbitprincess
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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October 2018 recap: 19 books.
Fave: Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth, by Frank Cottrell Boyce (audio read by Peter Capaldi)
Least fave: A Bridge Too Far, by Cornelius Ryan (a DNF)

Crazeedi Fabulous job! 5y
zsuzsanna_reads Does it fart looks like a classic 😂 5y
32 likes3 comments
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rabbitprincess
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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After enjoying the audio edition of this book (Peter Capaldi 😍😍😍), I borrowed the print edition from the library to enjoy all over again! And to find out how to spell Stramoddie.

26 likes1 stack add
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rabbitprincess
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
Pickpick

I love, love, loved this book, which I read in the audio edition narrated by Peter Capaldi ❤️❤️ He did an excellent job reading this funny and touching story that I will definitely have to read again.

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curnard
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
Pickpick

I read this to my son. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was touching, human and at times laugh out loud funny. A good yarn about saving yourself while saving the planet along the way.

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Johanna414
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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Pickpick

This was such a fun middle grade novel! I‘ll definitely be reading more by Boyce!
Prez ends up in foster care on a farm after his grandfather starts to exhibit signs of dementia. One evening a strange little man shows up at the house claiming to be from space- except that to everyone except Prez, he looks like a dog. All sorts of fun, heartwarming adventure ensues.

rabbitprincess I have the audio of this! 😊 6y
JillR My son loves Frank Cottrell Boyce :) 6y
36 likes1 stack add2 comments
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rabbitprincess
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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Why yes I DID just buy a children's audiobook simply because Peter Capaldi narrates it 😁
($2.99 on Audible if you do that thing. Although it might be UK Audible. I just heard about it from Frank Cottrell Boyce's Twitter and downloaded it through iTunes.)

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Bookgoil
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this book! Puts foster care, Alzheimer's disease and sci fi elements into one book.

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Bookgoil
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth | Frank Cottrell Boyce
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So this is Zeus and he's our newest family member. We just adopted him Tuesday. He's full of energy so we take long walks to wear him out. 😊 love that I'm reading Sputnik's guide which also has a dog in it- sort of...

OrangeMooseReads 🐶 he's cute 7y
CouronneDhiver Yay, welcome Zeus! 7y
Blaire Adorable! 7y
Bookzombie So cute! 💕🐶 7y
27 likes5 comments