The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex

OK, so this book is my newest favorite kid's book (before this it was The Phantom Tollbooth which I first read over 40 years ago!). The True Meaning of Smekday is the story of Gratuity "Tip" Tucci and her Boov alien friend, J-Lo, who must save Earth from another group of aliens -- the Grogs (or Nimrogs) who invaded after the Boovs. It's a buddy, road trip adventure, but along the way are hilarious indictments on everything from TV (the Boov have millions of channels, and the programming has gotten so ridiculous that each Boov spends time watching him or herself on TV constantly), to politics, to the US treatment of Native Americans, to yes, even Disneyland (the "Happy Mouse Kingdom"). But the best part of this book is the dialogue -- snappy, witty, and just plain hilarious. Even though the hero of this book is a girl, I think boys will like it too, since there is plenty of action, danger, shoot-outs, and car crashes. Rex has created a truly unique book and I can't wait to read more of them!