I disliked the first chapter but loved the second, then kept see-sawing through the book. Why did he make the other planet so unknowable? He kept piling the other culture's lore, names & facts up into such a heap that I stopped caring & began skipping. We never are supposed to understand them, so what's the point? Metaphor, okay but of what? I did like Tommy & his family, but not enough to save the book. I keep asking myself, why did Schmidt write this?
I could not honestly recommend this book to any of my patrons. ( )

Fantasy (not SF: note the writing style, and the emphases on magic, warriors, golems, travel by Thought) mixed with a 'realistic' story about a family who lost the mom and is dealing with two generations of bullies. Mom's death a convenience. Epilogue ridiculous. Short (which is the only reason I finished it), with nothing actually developed. More 'fun' than 'heart.' The characters were all icons; except maybe for Zwerger, the principal. I guess there was supposed to be some sort of theme about parallels between the two worlds, but nothing was done with it.

One star except I know some kids will read this who never read anything else, and it might even prompt them to pick up another book. ( )

I didn't get very far before I was bored out of my skull. Sorry, Mr. Schmidt. Maybe I'll try the audiobook later. ( )

An exciting adventure for a young boy when a mysterious chain arrives from another galaxy and lands in his lunchbox. ( )

When a chain necklace falls from the sky and into Tommy’s lunchbox, of course he puts it on. What he doesn’t expect is the strange knowledge and skills he suddenly possesses. And what’s up with the eerie weather and the rash of break-ins in his small town of Plymouth, Massachusetts? As if Tommy didn’t already have enough to handle – a sister who hasn’t spoken in over a year, a dad who’s trying to save their house from a pushy real estate developer, and his own guilt over his mom’s death.

Meanwhile, far away in outer space, a brave warrior called Younger Waeglim – the very last of the Valorim race – is imprisoned by the evil Lord Mondus, trying to determine a way to save the Ethelim people from Mondus’s heartless rule.

But what does Tommy’s life have to do with Waeglim’s?

Find out in this latest novel from Newbery alum Gary D. Schmidt.

The chapters about Waeglim’s world can be a little confusing because everything has a different name and there isn’t really any exposition before the plot begins. I recommend starting at the back of the book, where there is a glossary and a short history of Waeglim’s planet. Then you’ll be more prepared to understand the story, and you can keep referring back to those appendices as you read. ( )