The True Meaning of Smekday
 | |
| Author | Adam Rex |
|---|---|
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Hyperion |
Publication date | 2007 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 423 |
| ISBN | 978-0-7868-4900-0 |
| OCLC | 156912803 |
| LC Class | PZ7.R32865 Tr 2007 |
The True Meaning of Smekday is a children's book by Adam Rex that was highly recommended by The New York Times.[1] It was adapted into the 2015 animated feature film Home.
An audiobook edition, read by Bahni Turpin, was released on March 8, 2011.
Plot summary
The story is told in essay format, to be sent to a committee and put in a time capsule, to be opened in 100 years.
The protagonist is twelve-year-old Gratuity "Tip" Tucci in seventh grade, who must survive on her own after her mother is abducted by aliens. The aliens, called the Boov, arrive and take over the Earth, which they call Smekland after their leader, Captain Smek. Christmas, the day of the Boov's arrival on Earth, is renamed "Smekday".
On "Moving Day", all humans are required to relocate to Florida. Tip decides to drive instead of being transported by the Boov. She soon makes friends with a Boov, who calls himself J.Lo., and is actually very friendly. The two journey to Florida, but discover the Boov like oranges and told the humans to go to Arizona instead. They travel across the United States, running into all kinds of problems and adventures, and the fact that J.Lo. accidentally summoned the Gorg, a more evil group of aliens. The Gorg have taken the Boov's old planet, Boovworld, and are looking to conquer Earth also. They want to eat their planet and enslave the humans. It is up to Tip and J.Lo. to find Tip's mother, Lucy, and save the world.
Website
The author, Adam Rex, created a website for the book to enhance the book experience. Included is a short video to help humans understand the invasion, which explains changes to the calendar (simplified to three months: Boovember (329 days), Humanuary (5), and Mitch (31) and the new Boov-approved Smekland holidays, Smekday (replacing Christmas), Smeksgiving (Thanksgiving), and Boov Passover.
Sequel
A sequel, titled Smek for President, was released on February 10, 2015, by Hyperion.[2]
Film adaptation
In 2008, DreamWorks Animation optioned the book's rights to adapt it into an animated feature film. On his blog, Adam Rex announced that DreamWorks renewed the option of the adaptation in 2011.[3][4]
It was announced on June 20, 2012 that Tim Johnson was set to direct the film, with Rihanna and Jim Parsons voicing the lead roles, and the film would be released in fourth-quarter 2014.[5] Chris Jenkins and Suzanne Buirgy would be producing, and writers Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember were to adapt the novel into a screenplay.[5] The title of the film was announced as Happy Smekday!; the project was retitled Home a year later.[5][6]
In September 2012, 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation announced the release for November 26, 2014.[7] The release of Home was later delayed to Spring 2015 in order to avoid competition with Penguins of Madagascar.[8]
Released on March 27, 2015, Home grossed $386 million worldwide.[9]
References
- ^ Von Drasek, Lisa (2007-11-11). "Sunday Book Review". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Smek For President". Hatchette Book Group. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
- ^ Herreras, Mari (September 23, 2010). "T Q&A Adam Rex". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ Rex, Adam (November 16, 2011). "@delzey Yes, Dreamworks optioned SMEKDAY 3 yrs. ago, and renewed the option this year. If they make it I expect it'll be CGI. #kidlitchat". MrAdamRex. Twitter. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Jim Parsons and Rihanna to Voice DreamWorks Animation's Happy Smekday!". DreamWorks Animation. ComingSoon.net. June 20, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ "Movie Title Changes". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ DreamWorks Animation (September 9, 2012). "New Distributor Twentieth Century Fox Unveils DreamWorks Animation's Release Slate Through 2016". DreamWorks Animation. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ "DreamWorks Animation Moves Up 'Penguins Of Madagascar' Bow, Moves 'Home' To 2015". Deadline Hollywood. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ^ "Home (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
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