Bad Order by B B Ullman
A Wrinkle in Time meets Stranger Things in an out-of-this-world fast-paced middle grade story about a sister and her special little brother fighting to save the world from an interdimensional catastrophe. Mary Day's life has always been different, because her little brother, Albie, is different. He doesn't speak, but he can communicate with Mary via mental telepathy, sending her--and her alone--mind memos. To Albie, Mary is Pearl, the person he holds most precious. Then, one snowy day, Albie transmits an alarming two-word message: Bad order. Soon after, Mary and her best friend, Brit, discover a mysterious red mist in the woods that seems to draw them in . . . and turn all their feelings negative. A visit from three extraterrestrials (hilariously trying to pass as human) reveals the truth: there's a disastrous leak in the dimensional universe--and if Albie can't repair it, angry, evil thoughts will overtake the entire population. Can Mary, Brit, Brit's brother Lars, and Albie save the world? And will Mary finally realize that she, like Albie, has something special inside herself?
“Originally sent to Earth to observe and gather data, a trio of extraterrestrial smartass-holograph-research-units (SMHRs) discovers an interdimensional tear that allows negative energy into our worldOverstepping their mission, the SMHRs go off-script and decide to intervene by erasing this ‘bad order’ and restoring the natural ‘good order’ to Earth. Ill-equipped to fix this situation—because they have no consciousness—they recruit four youngsters to save the planet: Albert, the youngest, who, when in utero, encountered the dimension that contains all positive and negative thoughts and does not speak; his compassionate sister, Mary, with whom he communicates telepathically; Mary’s clever best friend, Brit; and Brit’s brave older brother. The emphasis here is on solving the problem rather than detailing the grisly consequences of it, which include paralyzing mass pessimism and uncontrolled violence spread through a red mist. Humor, particularly surrounding the SMHRs’ appearance (their attempts to take human form are sloppily executed) breaks the tension, while short chapters with exciting cliffhangers propel the plot at a quick pace.” —The Horn Book Magazine
“When 13-year-old Mary and her best friend, Brit, discover a mysterious red mist in the woods that overwhelms those nearby with negative thoughts, they’ll need the help of Brit’s older brother, Lars; Mary’s younger brother, Albie; and three poorly disguised aliens to save their town and maybe the world from the interdimensional tear. Ultimately, their best weapon against the darkness is the light within themselves, and it’s their everyday superpowers—being brave, clever, and kind—that save the day. The ridiculous aliens are a humorous highlight . . . might be a good fit for reluctant readers with its quick pacing, silly characters, and feel-good message.” —Booklist
“Originally sent to Earth to observe and gather data, a trio of extraterrestrial smartass-holograph-research-units (SMHRs) discovers an interdimensional tear that allows negative energy into our world. Overstepping their mission, the SMHRs go off-script and decide to intervene by erasing this ‘bad order’ and restoring the natural ‘good order’ to Earth. Ill-equipped to fix this situation—because they have no consciousness—they recruit four youngsters to save the planet: Albert, the youngest, who, when in utero, encountered the dimension that contains all positive and negative thoughts and does not speak; his compassionate sister, Mary, with whom he communicates telepathically; Mary’s clever best friend, Brit; and Brit’s brave older brother. The emphasis here is on solving the problem rather than detailing the grisly consequences of it, which include paralyzing mass pessimism and uncontrolled violence spread through a red mist. Humor, particularly surrounding the SMHRs’ appearance (their attempts to take human form are sloppily executed) breaks the tension, while short chapters with exciting cliffhangers propel the plot at a quick pace.” —The Horn Book Magazine
“When 13-year-old Mary and her best friend, Brit, discover a mysterious red mist in the woods that overwhelms those nearby with negative thoughts, they’ll need the help of Brit’s older brother, Lars; Mary’s younger brother, Albie; and three poorly disguised aliens to save their town and maybe the world from the interdimensional tear. Ultimately, their best weapon against the darkness is the light within themselves, and it’s their everyday superpowers—being brave, clever, and kind—that save the day. The ridiculous aliens are a humorous highlight . . . might be a good fit for reluctant readers with its quick pacing, silly characters, and feel-good message.” —Booklist
“When 13-year-old Mary and her best friend, Brit, discover a mysterious red mist in the woods that overwhelms those nearby with negative thoughts, they’ll need the help of Brit’s older brother, Lars; Mary’s younger brother, Albie; and three poorly disguised aliens to save their town and maybe the world from the interdimensional tear. Ultimately, their best weapon against the darkness is the light within themselves, and it’s their everyday superpowers—being brave, clever, and kind—that save the day. The ridiculous aliens are a humorous highlight . . . might be a good fit for reluctant readers with its quick pacing, silly characters, and feel-good message.” —Booklist
“Originally sent to Earth to observe and gather data, a trio of extraterrestrial smartass-holograph-research-units (SMHRs) discovers an interdimensional tear that allows negative energy into our world. Overstepping their mission, the SMHRs go off-script and decide to intervene by erasing this ‘bad order’ and restoring the natural ‘good order’ to Earth. Ill-equipped to fix this situation—because they have no consciousness—they recruit four youngsters to save the planet: Albert, the youngest, who, when in utero, encountered the dimension that contains all positive and negative thoughts and does not speak; his compassionate sister, Mary, with whom he communicates telepathically; Mary’s clever best friend, Brit; and Brit’s brave older brother. The emphasis here is on solving the problem rather than detailing the grisly consequences of it, which include paralyzing mass pessimism and uncontrolled violence spread through a red mist. Humor, particularly surrounding the SMHRs’ appearance (their attempts to take human form are sloppily executed) breaks the tension, while short chapters with exciting cliffhangers propel the plot at a quick pace.” —The Horn Book Magazine
“When 13-year-old Mary and her best friend, Brit, discover a mysterious red mist in the woods that overwhelms those nearby with negative thoughts, they’ll need the help of Brit’s older brother, Lars; Mary’s younger brother, Albie; and three poorly disguised aliens to save their town and maybe the world from the interdimensional tear. Ultimately, their best weapon against the darkness is the light within themselves, and it’s their everyday superpowers—being brave, clever, and kind—that save the day. The ridiculous aliens are a humorous highlight . . . might be a good fit for reluctant readers with its quick pacing, silly characters, and feel-good message.” —Booklist
B. B. Ullman is the author of The Fairies of Nutfolk Wood and Whistle Bright Magic, a Nutfolk Tale (both HarperCollins). She lives in Western Washington State.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781454931065 |
| ISBN 10 | 145493106X |
| Title | Bad Order |
| Author | B B Ullman |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Union Square & Co. |
| Year published | 2019-06-04 |
| Number of pages | 224 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |