Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Inc.
Pages
123
Description
Juvenile Fiction. Science Fiction. Humor (Fiction.) Sixth grade is just out of this world... Susan Simmons can tell that her new substitute teacher is really weird. But she doesn't know how weird until she catches him peeling off his face -- and she realizes that "Mr. Smith" is really an alien! At first no one will believe her -- except Peter Thompson, the class brain. When Peter and Susan discover Mr. Smith's horrible plans for their classmates, they know they have to act fast. Only they can get rid of their extra-terrestrial visitor -- and save the rest of the sixth grade class from a fate worse than math tests!.
Description
Could your teacher be an alien? Do your research with this bestselling, hilarious sci-fi favorite from the author who inspired Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series.
Sixth grade is just out of this world!
Susan Simmons can tell that her new substitute teacher is really weird. But she doesn’t know how weird until she catches him peeling off his face—and realizes that “Mr. Smith” is really an alien!
At first no one will believe her except Peter Thompson, the class brain. When Peter and Susan discover Mr. Smith’s horrible plans for their classmates, they know they have to act fast. Only they can get rid of their extraterrestrial visitor—and save the rest of the sixth grade class from a fate worse than math tests!
Sixth grade is just out of this world!
Susan Simmons can tell that her new substitute teacher is really weird. But she doesn’t know how weird until she catches him peeling off his face—and realizes that “Mr. Smith” is really an alien!
At first no one will believe her except Peter Thompson, the class brain. When Peter and Susan discover Mr. Smith’s horrible plans for their classmates, they know they have to act fast. Only they can get rid of their extraterrestrial visitor—and save the rest of the sixth grade class from a fate worse than math tests!
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1989
Physical description
123 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
0439810914 / 9780439810913
Similar in this library
Lexile
650L
User reviews
LibraryThing member StormRaven
My Teacher Is an Alien is the first in a four book series, which is fortunate because by itself, it doesn't stand up very well at all. Unfortunately, I was so unexcited after reading this volume had I not read the later books in the series first, after reading this one I might not have decided to
Susan Simmons, the main character, is a fairly popular sixth grade girl, a good student, and a talented piccolo player. She has been looking forward to the spring semester of school because her teacher Ms. Schwartz always has the class prepare a play, and she wants to be an actress. She is horrified to learn that Ms. Schwartz is being replaced by a new teacher named Mr. Smith, and Mr. Smith has no intention of letting the students put on a play or do anything else that is fun.
While attempting to retrieve a note from Mr. Smith's house, Susan discovers the terrible truth about her new substitute teacher: he is an alien disguised as a human. She decided the only person she can confide in is the smart, bookish science fiction fan in her class: Peter Thompson (in one of Coville's typical asides, Peter is seen in one scene reading A Princess of Mars) who is usually bullied by the mean Duncan Dougal. Peter at first thinks she is playing a joke, but they break into Mr. Smith's house again and find Ms. Schwartz imprisoned in a force field where they learn that Mr. Smith (aka Broxholm) intends to take some students from their class away with him for study: the best, the worst and three "average" students.
The news spreads through the class, and oddly, the kids end up believing it. Even Duncan begins to help Susan and Peter as they try to foil Broxholm's plans. Except that Peter seems to decide to fall on his sword for everyone and works hard to prove he is the best student to ensure he is selected. Everything culminates in a musical finale (it turns out that Broxholm is incapacitated by Earth music) and Broxholm is forced to unmask and show his true alien nature until Peter gives Broxholm and escape route and leaves with him on his spaceship.
And then the story ends. The book has no explanation for why Broxholm needs to abduct some Earth children. There is a bit of wish fulfilment in Peter's character - he decides to leave with Broxholm to fulfil his dream of being in space, a dream likely shared with a lot of kids who will be drawn to reading this book. But without any indication of Broxholm's motivations or intentions, the book seems completely inadequate. The book starts of a decents science fiction series aimed at young readers, but on its own merits it simply falls flat.
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read the remainder of the series.Susan Simmons, the main character, is a fairly popular sixth grade girl, a good student, and a talented piccolo player. She has been looking forward to the spring semester of school because her teacher Ms. Schwartz always has the class prepare a play, and she wants to be an actress. She is horrified to learn that Ms. Schwartz is being replaced by a new teacher named Mr. Smith, and Mr. Smith has no intention of letting the students put on a play or do anything else that is fun.
While attempting to retrieve a note from Mr. Smith's house, Susan discovers the terrible truth about her new substitute teacher: he is an alien disguised as a human. She decided the only person she can confide in is the smart, bookish science fiction fan in her class: Peter Thompson (in one of Coville's typical asides, Peter is seen in one scene reading A Princess of Mars) who is usually bullied by the mean Duncan Dougal. Peter at first thinks she is playing a joke, but they break into Mr. Smith's house again and find Ms. Schwartz imprisoned in a force field where they learn that Mr. Smith (aka Broxholm) intends to take some students from their class away with him for study: the best, the worst and three "average" students.
The news spreads through the class, and oddly, the kids end up believing it. Even Duncan begins to help Susan and Peter as they try to foil Broxholm's plans. Except that Peter seems to decide to fall on his sword for everyone and works hard to prove he is the best student to ensure he is selected. Everything culminates in a musical finale (it turns out that Broxholm is incapacitated by Earth music) and Broxholm is forced to unmask and show his true alien nature until Peter gives Broxholm and escape route and leaves with him on his spaceship.
And then the story ends. The book has no explanation for why Broxholm needs to abduct some Earth children. There is a bit of wish fulfilment in Peter's character - he decides to leave with Broxholm to fulfil his dream of being in space, a dream likely shared with a lot of kids who will be drawn to reading this book. But without any indication of Broxholm's motivations or intentions, the book seems completely inadequate. The book starts of a decents science fiction series aimed at young readers, but on its own merits it simply falls flat.
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LibraryThing member RRHowell
A good reluctant reader early chapter book. Not my favorite Coville, but filled with his wacky humor. I'd rather have kids reading Coville than R.L. Stine any day.
LibraryThing member bkwriter4life
A cleverly written book from beginning to end. Bruce Coville can write his ass off. Susan recruits Peter, the science fiction reading nerd, to help her unmask Mr. Smith as an alien. She finds out he wants to kidnap and examine the best and average students of her school, she concocts a plan. Peter
Full of chuckle worthy moments, as a throwback book, it delivers.
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creates Plan B, where he motivates himself and has Mr. Smith take him because he wants to learn about the other intelligence.Full of chuckle worthy moments, as a throwback book, it delivers.
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LibraryThing member adamjohn
Susan and her friend Peter found out that their teacher, Mr Smith, is really an alien. They go spying in Broxholm's house. Broxholm is the name Susan heard when "Mr. Smith" was talking into the mirror, to an alien friend. Peter and Susan tell every one at school that Mr. Smith is an alien. Mr.
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Smith wants to take away five students! Peter and Susan have to do something, and fast! Show Less
LibraryThing member tiger417
i think this was a very interesting book.i would recomend i
LibraryThing member JanaRose1
Everyone was looking forward to the beginning of sixth grade, after all they were going to have the best teacher in the school. But when Mr. Smith shows up, his strict rules and behavior make everyone realize that their perfect year has been ruined. Susan, spying on Mr. Smith, watches him peel off
I remember fondly reading this series as a child, and when I saw a used copy for sale at the library I jumped on it. Needless to say, I found the book just as interesting and endearing now as I did then. I can't wait to pass it on to my nieces and nephews to read!
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his face, uncovering that he is an alien. I remember fondly reading this series as a child, and when I saw a used copy for sale at the library I jumped on it. Needless to say, I found the book just as interesting and endearing now as I did then. I can't wait to pass it on to my nieces and nephews to read!
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I remember reading this as a kid and really liking it. Last week I had a kid come in for a short fifth grade book for a book report that was due yesterday (yesterday as in the day before he came into the library not yesterday the day I started listening to it. I decided that I should give it a
This is still a fun book. Susan and Peter are still really smart and spunky kids. I really didn't notice the lack of cell phones and computers. There's no way the kids would get away with sneaking around the way they do in the book too. The world is very different and I think the story is holding up well.
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listen for old times sake.This is still a fun book. Susan and Peter are still really smart and spunky kids. I really didn't notice the lack of cell phones and computers. There's no way the kids would get away with sneaking around the way they do in the book too. The world is very different and I think the story is holding up well.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I remember reading this as a kid and really liking it. Last week I had a kid come in for a short fifth grade book for a book report that was due yesterday (yesterday as in the day before he came into the library not yesterday the day I started listening to it. I decided that I should give it a
This is still a fun book. Susan and Peter are still really smart and spunky kids. I really didn't notice the lack of cell phones and computers. There's no way the kids would get away with sneaking around the way they do in the book too. The world is very different and I think the story is holding up well.
Show More
listen for old times sake.This is still a fun book. Susan and Peter are still really smart and spunky kids. I really didn't notice the lack of cell phones and computers. There's no way the kids would get away with sneaking around the way they do in the book too. The world is very different and I think the story is holding up well.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I remember reading this as a kid and really liking it. Last week I had a kid come in for a short fifth grade book for a book report that was due yesterday (yesterday as in the day before he came into the library not yesterday the day I started listening to it. I decided that I should give it a
This is still a fun book. Susan and Peter are still really smart and spunky kids. I really didn't notice the lack of cell phones and computers. There's no way the kids would get away with sneaking around the way they do in the book too. The world is very different and I think the story is holding up well.
Show More
listen for old times sake.This is still a fun book. Susan and Peter are still really smart and spunky kids. I really didn't notice the lack of cell phones and computers. There's no way the kids would get away with sneaking around the way they do in the book too. The world is very different and I think the story is holding up well.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I remember reading this as a kid and really liking it. Last week I had a kid come in for a short fifth grade book for a book report that was due yesterday (yesterday as in the day before he came into the library not yesterday the day I started listening to it. I decided that I should give it a
This is still a fun book. Susan and Peter are still really smart and spunky kids. I really didn't notice the lack of cell phones and computers. There's no way the kids would get away with sneaking around the way they do in the book too. The world is very different and I think the story is holding up well.
Show More
listen for old times sake.This is still a fun book. Susan and Peter are still really smart and spunky kids. I really didn't notice the lack of cell phones and computers. There's no way the kids would get away with sneaking around the way they do in the book too. The world is very different and I think the story is holding up well.
Show Less
LibraryThing member avarisclari
I know these books are mean for younger readers, but it doesn't change the fact that they are genuinely fun reads. Bruce Coville knows how to write for a younger audience without downplaying it for an older audience either.
LibraryThing member mutantpudding
Goofy alien book that is deff not meant for me as I am an adult. But whatever.
Subjects
Awards
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 1992)
Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 1991)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 1993)
Nēnē Award (Nominee — 1992, 1993, 1994)
Nevada Young Readers' Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 1991)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 1993)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1991)
Prix des Incorruptibles (Winner — 1995)
Call number
J3G.Cov