Trondheim, Lewis. A.L.I.E.E.E.N.

TRONDHEIM, Lewis. A.L.I.E.E.E.N. First Second Books. 96p. illus. c2006. 1596430958. $12.95. J

A.L.I.E.E.E.N. stands for Archives of Lost Issues and Earthly Editions of Extraterrestrial Novelties. It was "discovered" by the author, Lewis Trondheim, when he was camping with his family in the Adirondacks, and purports to tell us what alien kids read. This graphic novel is entirely visual; the aliens talk, but in an unknown alphabet. These beasties live in a world Salvador Dali would love, and come in all shapes and colors. Many resemble deformed M&Ms brought to life. There is a plot of sorts, which involves an alien creature that gets its eyes poked out and then proceeds to bury the rest of the characters in a poop flood.

A.L.I.E.E.E.N. isn't for everyone; if there's a moral to this story, it escapes me. There is scatological material and quite a bit of violence, much of it surprisingly intense for a children's book. Of course, little kids love violence and poop jokes, but this is still a difficult graphic novel to classify: I doubt older kids will like it, and the violence may be a bit intense for younger grades. Twelve-year olds may like it. A.L.I.E.E.E.N. contains scatological material and violence, and is an optional purchase for middle school library collections. George Galuschak, YA Libn., Montvale PL, Montvale, NJ

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.