Emperor of the Universe

Launching a planned trilogy, this screwball space odyssey from Lubar (the Weenies series), written as an homage to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, opens as seventh grader Nicholas V. Landrew witnesses his beloved gerbil, Henrietta, and a package of hamburger meat sequentially disappear in a flash of light. A third flash transports the boy to a spaceship, where he discovers his pet and the burger meat strapped to a table. They’re about to be dissected by a team of scientists resembling tentacled caterpillars, until Nicholas impulsively stomps on them. Then he learns that, thanks to the aliens’ GollyGosh! device, Henrietta and the hunk of meat (which Nicholas names “Jeef”) have suddenly attained “self-awareness” and can speak. The banter among the three hilariously unlikely besties—the beleaguered yet bold boy; glib, self-assured Henrietta; and pontificating Jeef, who reminisces about life as a cow raised on a Mennonite farm—powers much of the story’s humor. Intergalactic calamities multiply as the trio, aided by fantastical technology, careens through galaxies in the company of wildly eccentric aliens, inadvertently annihilating planets while dodging space pirates. It’s a riotous ride best suited to kids who gravitate toward spiraling plots and offbeat comedy. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 9–11. (July)