Fat Men from Space

by Daniel Pinkwater

Book Overview

Through his radio tooth, William learns of an invasion by spacemen who are taking all of earth's supply of junk food. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440445426
• ISBN13: 9780440445425
• Release Date: July 1980
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 57 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.7" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

FAT MEN FROM OUTER SPACE

Mr. Pinkwater's book "Fat Men from Outer Space", is written too well for a young reader to understand but too short and childish for older readers, but this book is perfect for someone right in the middle who wants a light read. The author plays with science fiction where the main character, William, receives radio programs through a on-in-a-million tooth. He pulls tricks on his parents, friends and teachers. His parents want his tooth to be removed until they hear what the tooth can do! One day William tries to use a metal fence as an antenna and the channel changes and he begins to receive bulletins from outer space! In a bulletin they find out that fat spacemen in plaid sport jackets and funny looking shoes are coming toward Earth and they are going to find and take all the junk food they possibly can and eat it all! Earthlings panic but only William knows what is going to happen but he's held prisoner on a spaceburger! This novel is real weird and does not have too much depth. The other characters like William's parents seem to be stupid too. But, like I said before if you like something real light and easy, this book is for you. Andrew G.

A very silly outer space invasion

I've been a reader of Daniel Pinkwater's books since grade school, and even enjoy reading them today. Along with `The Magic Moscow', this particular tale is one of the most memorable for me. Like just about all of the author's kiddie tomes, `Fat Men From Space' has no shortage of strange & bizarre yet lighthearted and gently humorous characters & situations. What makes this particular story interesting is that there's no actual hero or heroes who save the day in the end. The main character, a boy whose new tooth filling picks up the aliens' radio transmissions, is merely a helpless witness to all of the unfortunate (yet strangely silly) goings-on. Fortunately, outside events play a part in the rotund ETs prematurely concluding their invasion, and the story ends on an upbeat & slightly sappy note.Unfortunately, some folks might nowadays see this book's titular antagonists as being somewhat un-PC. You know, that whole `FAT Men..." thing and such. Well, all I can say about it is this: if you've ever seen a picture of the author, you might be a little less squeamish about his use of the word "fat", `cause he's a fairly hefty guy himself. The way I see it: if he can deal with it, so can the reader.One more thing: `Fat Men From Space' is followed up by `Slaves of Spiegel', which I also recommend you take a look at. It too has plenty of the Pinkwater trademarks of silly situations and lighthearted & whimsical humor.`Late

HUNGRY,HUGRY,....ALIEN!!!!

This book is great. I loved it. It's about a boy who gets a radio in his teeth and he recives radio tranmisions from space!!!! Read this book to find out what happends to the boy. I recomend this book to anyone who likes children books.

The work of a genius!

Shortly after discovering such classics as Alan Mendelsohn: Boy From Mars and Lizard Music, I read Fat Men From Space. When I first picked it up, I was a bit disappointed, it seeming to be a book aimed toward children younger than me (I was twelve at the time). But I LOVED it! At several times I was laughing out loud! A short summary: a young boy, William, somehow gets radio transmissions in his tooth filling! He hears about space men coming, and no one is prepared when it actually happens....Pinkwater's humor is out of this world! I have read this to my younger sister, my mom, and the kids I baby-sit for, and they all LOVE it! This is recommended to ANYONE who needs a good laugh!

Top ten Pinkwater. Read this book.

A classic, Fat Men From Space introduced me to the world of Pinkwater over 15 years ago. Everything has been a little bit better since. Read this book, and there will be no turning back. The Snarkout Boys, Hobokenites from the Old Country...Lizard Music will beckon..