Book Review: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches from Outer Space

Reviewed by Haley Perry

A hilariously twisty adventure involving two families, peanut butter and jelly sandwich aliens, and FBI agents

Violet Wilson has a goal this year: to start a hard-hitting newspaper to combat the “cult of ignorance” growing in her school. 

Armed with a notebook, her best friend Pamela, and the annoying little brothers her mom forced her to watch, Violet sets out on a hike to decipher the necessary steps to make the newspaper succeed. 

Ironically, it is on this hike that they discover a headline that could not only ensure the school newspaper’s success but could also go down as a transformative moment in history. Wedged in a cave, they find a flying saucer that, once removed, spins, floats, flashes, and ultimately reveals a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 

Violet and Pamela make the executive decision to seal off the scene and return to better document it. However, the sandwich proves just too tempting for her six-year-old brother, Willys, who is convinced that eating it will grant him superpowers. 

Trouble quickly arises when a much larger alien spacecraft descends over Oregon, and an alien species known as the Goobexes ask for help in locating this very sandwich. This kicks off a twisty adventure starring Violet’s and Pamela’s families in a race to uncover the mysteries of this sandwich. Together, the families must face a series of obstacles including but not limited to snooty FBI agents, self-propelling office chairs, a pack of sniffer dogs, and the unnamed U.S. president with “artificially tanned skin the color of cheddar cheese.”

The sheer randomness of this story makes it an incredibly engaging and delightful read. At no point is this story predictable. While the premise itself is funny, the book is made even more hilarious through slapstick humor and witty banter.

While the book may be presented as comically unserious, it also deftly touches on important issues such as sexism and media illiteracy, which leads to miseducation especially in relation to politics. Having both loving families work side-by-side creates a strong dichotomy that gets us thinking about the parentification of children and the social factors contributing to it.

But it’s the characters who really bring the story to life. Whether it’s Violet’s business-owning father or freshman gamer Brad, each character is fleshed out with a strong voice. We get access to the private thoughts of each of the family members which allows us to explore their characters even more. Although, it can be difficult sometimes to discern whose point of view a particular moment is being told from.

What a fun and enjoyable middle grade read! It’s funny and creatively suited for its audience, but it’s also poignant in a way that parents will appreciate. 

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches from Outer Space! would be a great choice for parents and teachers looking for something light and creative. With its addictive plot, this novel will show young readers just how fun reading can be. 

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