Only You Can Save Mankind Synopsis

Johnny Maxwell is just an ordinary boy - not smart, popular or rich. But he does love video games. And as his parents argue themselves out of a marriage, Johnny plays at becoming humanity's' last hope, shooting invading aliens out of a pixelated sky. Then comes a message from the last remaining alien spaceship: We Wish to Talk. And suddenly Johnny is thrust into the very real world of the video game, and comes face to face with an alien race that needs his help. Only Johnny can save them. And this isn't a game any more . . . The first book in the Johnny Maxwell trilogy.

Only You Can Save Mankind Reader Reviews

In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Lovereading4kids Reader Review Panel members were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can read their full reviews by clicking here.

• Emily Golding, age 10 ½ - 'If you don't know who Terry Pratchett is, here's a brief summary of how EPIC he is: he if fabulous, funny and totally WICKED!!! Seriously, you're missing out on a whole lot of funniness!'
• Ethan Watkin, age 10 - 'I loved Only You Can Save Mankind as it mixes my favourite things, books and video games.This a great comedy action book and my favourite character was Big Mac who is funny. Great book. Loved it!'
• Issie Ford, age 10 - 'It’s an exciting book, chock to the brim full of characters who can literally pop out of nowhere.'
• Toby Little, age 10 - 'Since the book was first published, video games have become a lot more realistic, but it would still be cool if you could just jump into one.'
• Charlotte Dunn, age 10 - 'A thoughtful, yet funny story which reflects upon modern life for children.'
• Oliver Lonsdale, age 10 - 'A great book for computer game lovers.'
• Toby Nicholson, age 9 - 'I liked that this book started as a computer game in normal life but then it turned into a real-life adventure.  It was a real page turner and I would definitely recommend it.'
• Jessica Holmes, age 11 - 'Only You Can Save Mankind is a very good book. Johnny Maxwell lives an unusual life helping aliens, but with help from old and new friends, they manage it.'
• Seren Daly, age 11 - 'This book is exciting and adventurous.'
• Rob Anderson, age 8 - 'A very weird, but funny book.'
• Ethan, age 7 - 'This book is really funny, with lots of jokes, and lots of funny spellings (Mummy says this is typically Pratchett!), it's really exciting and you can't wait to find out what happens next.'
• James, age 11 - 'I think that Terry Pratchett is a good, reliable author as he can mix scary into funny while also including good morals for young children.'
• Oscar Smith - 'Only You Can Save Mankind is a hilarious and gripping novel by well-known author Terry Pratchett...Guaranteed cries of laughter and joy ensue in this must have essential for bookshelves.'
• Libby Bridgeman, age 10 - 'This is a good book for kids who like computer games.'

Only You Can Save Mankind Press Reviews

An impressively original book with its thrills and spills, its inventiveness, its wit and continuous readability  Daily Telegraph

A wonderful new Pratchett-style fantasy: funny and thrilling enough for anyone who can read fluently  Daily Mail

Funny and exciting    Spectator

Terry Pratchett's funny, fast-moving story makes provocative reading for all computer game players . . . Makes a serious point out of a ridiculously comic example    Children's Books of the Year

Everyone should read Terry Pratchett. Maybe it should be part of the National Curriculum?     Families

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All versions of this book

ISBN: 9780552576796
Publication date: 22/02/2018
Publisher: Corgi Childrens an imprint of Random House Children's Publishers UK
Format: Paperback

Book Information

About Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett (1948 - 2015) was born in 1948 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. He had his first story published when he was just thirteen, and after leaving school at seventeen to become a journalist he continued writing, publishing his first novel, The Carpet People, in 1971 and going on to produce the phenomenally successful Discworld and his trilogy for young readers, The Bromeliad. His first Discworld novel for children, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents was awarded the 2001 Carnegie Medal. Terry Pratchett as well as numerous other books, winning many awards and becoming the UK’s bestselling author. He was appointed OBE ...

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