Pi in the Sky by Wendy Mass

Title: Pi in the Sky
Author: Wendy Mass
Hardcover: 256 pages
Pub Date: June 11, 2013
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Rating: +++++

Summary from pub:

Joss is the seventh son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe, and all he gets to do is deliver pies. That’s right: pies. Of course these pies actually hold the secrets of the universe between their buttery crusts, but they’re still pies.

Joss comes from a family of overachievers, and is happy to let his older brothers shine. But when Earth suddenly disappears, Joss is tasked with the not-so-simple job of bringing it back. With the help of an outspoken girl from Earth named Annika, Joss embarks on the adventure of a lifetime and learns that the universe is an even stranger place than he’d imagined.

Review:

Wendy Mass should be officially named the Queen of Middle Grade. How many amazingly perfect middle grade books must she write before we just give her this title?

And not only does this book have amazing characters, a perfect plot, and fantastic writing, but it also teaches you about space! I am a grown person and I want to go look up all the great things Carl Sagan said about the universe and watch everything Neil deGrasse Tyson has ever said. This should be required middle school reading just because it can make even the most non-science student want to learn more about science. The kids who already love science will also love this book. Even the ones that aren’t crazy about books!

Even ignoring the awesome science in it, it is still a fantastic book. Joss is incredibly likable and so funny, especially when he didn’t mean to be funny with his observations of humans. He really grows up in this book – surprising for someone over a billion years old. He is always putting himself down because he feels like he is the least of his siblings, but soon he, and even sooner the reader, figure out that isn’t true.

Annika is another fantastic character. She is so smart, she is inquisitive and she made me laugh. She wants to be heard and is assertive, which is awesome. All of JOss’ brothers are great, but my favorite “character” is a very famous scientist. I don’t want to spoil it, but it is someone everyone has heard of and many have been inspired by this person.

I am so excited for others to read this phenomenal book and get so excited about the characters and science!