The Nine Lives of Alexander Baddenfield

(Hardback)

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Description

Alexander Baddenfield is a horrible boy-a really horrible boy-who is the last in a long line of lying, thieving scoundrels. One day, Alexander has an astonishing idea. Why not transplant the nine lives from his cat into himself Suddenly, Alexander has lives to spare, and goes about using them up, attempting the most outrageous feats he can imagine. Only when his lives start running out, and he is left with only one just like everyone else, does he realize how reckless he has been. With its wickedly funny story and equally clever illustrations, this is dark humor at its most delicious.

Reviews

"Deliciously wicked." Booklist

Blackall's characteristically knowing illustrations and dramatic design decisions reinforce Marciano's gleefully morbid humor . . . [an] envelope-pushing bonbon."Kirkus Reviews

"Fun for a sophisticated reader, with puns, anagrams, and good-natured satirical potshots." The Horn Book

"The amusing, if macabre, premise is abetted by Blackall's slightly creepy gray and black-toned illustrations . . . Good fun."School Library Journal

Author Bio

John lives in Brooklyn, where he shares an art studio with Sergo Ruzzier, Brian Floca, and Sophie Blackall. Sophie Blackall is also a New York Times best-selling illustrator. She is originally from Australia and has illustrated over 25 books for children. Her books Include the Ivy and Bean series, as well as BIG RED LOLLYPOP, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year. Sophie also lives in Brooklyn, where she also shares an art studio with Sergio Ruzzier and Brian Floca. She sits close enough to John Bemelmans Marciano to throw her eraser at him, but she hardly ever does.