KIDZ BOOK REPORT: Pinkwater's The Neddiad

Marty let me borrow his copy of The Neddiad by Daniel Pinkwater about a month ago.  

THIS IS A GOOD KIDZ BOOK.  3.5  STARZ out of 5.

This book is narrated by an elementary school aged boy of post WWII USA.  Ned tells the story of his family's impulse move from Chicago to Los Angeles, the exciting world of LA where buildings can be shaped like giant hats or doughnuts or other things, and how he is destined to save the world from an ancient dark devolutionary Kronos-type chaos. 

Although the impending doom of civilization is the suspense tool that keeps you reading throught the book, the real strength of the book is in its simple descriptions of the world Ned encounters.  Being a kid in the 1950's and the son of what he calls "an eccentric," he finds himself meeting all sorts of stereotyped period characters, ghosts, and making great friendships.  The best part of the book is that all the adults are a little nutty, especially Ned's parents.  But by far the best characters in the book are the "shamans"  whom Ned seeks advice from to help him save the world.  But they exhibit such existential qualities such that they would much prefer to go bowling on the eve of the world's destruction then assist Ned with his destiny.  LOL hilarity.

There are also police from outer space.

The Neddiad is very easy to read as it is a children's book.  It is smart, light and, funny.  I felt like I was nine again cozying up with a Roald Dahl tale.

The sequel is the Yggessy and is the sort-of sequel and should be released this year.  It can be read for free, at least some of it at Pinkwater's website. I'm gonna start reading it now.