The Seems
Encyclopedia
The Seems is a children's novel series by John Hulme
and Michael Wexler published by Bloomsbury USA. The series follows Becker Drane, a Fixer in a world called The Seems which is in charge of making sure our World is on track. The series currently includes The Glitch in Sleep, published in 2007, The Split Second, published in 2008, and The Lost Train of Thought, published in 2009.
In the first book, Becker Drane must find and capture a Glitch wreaking havoc in the Department of Sleep. Glitches are creatures with three arms that are able to move very quickly wreaking havoc wherever they go. With the help of Briefer Simly Fyre and Fixer Casey Lake, the three try and Fix this Glitch. Through many challenges, Becker finally manages to find and capture the Glitch.
With 50 trays of Frozen Moments, The Tide has managed to construct a Time Bomb which could cause unimaginable damage to both The World and The Seems. The Fixers are not able prevent the explosion and Essence is spilled into the World. Becker Drane, Fixer #37 is sent in to recover the bomb which could still be hazardous. In the end, Tom Jackal, Fixer #7 who was thought to be dead Fixes the bomb, but dies in the process. Becker also breaks the Golden Rule which forbids anyone with access to a Case File of a person to have contact with the real person. With a Case File an employee can find many secrets of the person.
In the final book, Becker is found guilty on all counts for breaking the Golden Rule by meeting with Jenifer Kaley at the end of The Split Second. Because of this, he is suspended from duty for a year, unremembered of Jenifer and Jenifer is remembered everything about the Seems. However, before they are both unremembered, a train of Thought goes missing and Becker is called in with three other Fixers to find it.
In the end, the train is found and Becker must drive it back. However, all the extra Thought the Seems had was spent already. To get The World the Thought it needs, Becker drives through to the Inbetweener. He succeeds in getting the Thought back, but he may or may not have survived due to crashing into the dangerously low entrance. Jenifer receives a job in The Seems, but at Becker's request, she is still unremembered about Becker and the Seems.
Becker's fate is left ambiguous at the end of the book, but there are some clues that he may have survived. For one thing, the homepage of the website for The Seems features a note that is supposedly written by him. Since it mentions the books in the series about him (including The Lost Train of Thought), he must have survived to have been able to write the note. Also, the authors have said that they plan to write a fourth book, tentatively called "A Better Place", and may even currently be doing so. There have also been many people who called for a fourth book to be written, to show that Becker did survive.
on September 18, 2007. About two months later the audiobook version was released on November 1, 2007. The paperback
was released along with a new cover on August 19, 2008. On July 7, 2008 a new cover was again released as a paperback.
how "the authors use the conceit to the fullest, creating a complex and intricate world with a sometimes daunting array of gadgets, bureaucracy, vocabulary and capitalization (a glossary
is included—and welcome)" yet at the same time "these details don't become overwhelming, fortunately, thanks to the book's consistently lighthearted tone". Another review by Booklist
also praised the audiobook version and that the series is very imaginative.The New York Times
commented how the book can be read just for fun or could also be "mulled over for its implied questions about big philosophical issues". Also, in a review from School Library Journal
, the first book was called "a rollicking tale" and praised the characters while comparing it to Garth Nix's"The Keys to the Kingdom
". The second book also received many positive reviews with another review from School Library Journal praised the audiobook version, but commented that background information would be needed for new readers. Also, Booklist
praised that the second book is just as good as the first and has an "ingenious setting". However, Kirkus Reviews
criticized the predictability.
was nominated for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award and a Vermont children’s choice award. It was also chosen as one on Amazon's Best Books of the Year
(2007) along with nine other books and also named an Autumn Book Sense Children's pick in 2007. The second book ranked fifth for the 20 best books for middle schoolers in 2008 by reviewer Peter Glassman.
who also directed Night at the Museum
and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
. Levy first decided to make a movie when he read the book and loved it. He later met up with John Hulme and Michael Wexler during one of their tours to show them what the movie would look like. This story was also on the cover of the magazine Variety
. Shawn Levy said:
John Hulme (author)
John Hulme is one of the two co-authors of The Seems book series. with Michael Wexler. Books in this series are held in over 800 libraries, according to WorldCat....
and Michael Wexler published by Bloomsbury USA. The series follows Becker Drane, a Fixer in a world called The Seems which is in charge of making sure our World is on track. The series currently includes The Glitch in Sleep, published in 2007, The Split Second, published in 2008, and The Lost Train of Thought, published in 2009.
Synopsis
The books in the series follows Becker Drane, a Fixer for a world called the Seems which provides our World with resources such as Sleep, Time and Energy.In the first book, Becker Drane must find and capture a Glitch wreaking havoc in the Department of Sleep. Glitches are creatures with three arms that are able to move very quickly wreaking havoc wherever they go. With the help of Briefer Simly Fyre and Fixer Casey Lake, the three try and Fix this Glitch. Through many challenges, Becker finally manages to find and capture the Glitch.
With 50 trays of Frozen Moments, The Tide has managed to construct a Time Bomb which could cause unimaginable damage to both The World and The Seems. The Fixers are not able prevent the explosion and Essence is spilled into the World. Becker Drane, Fixer #37 is sent in to recover the bomb which could still be hazardous. In the end, Tom Jackal, Fixer #7 who was thought to be dead Fixes the bomb, but dies in the process. Becker also breaks the Golden Rule which forbids anyone with access to a Case File of a person to have contact with the real person. With a Case File an employee can find many secrets of the person.
In the final book, Becker is found guilty on all counts for breaking the Golden Rule by meeting with Jenifer Kaley at the end of The Split Second. Because of this, he is suspended from duty for a year, unremembered of Jenifer and Jenifer is remembered everything about the Seems. However, before they are both unremembered, a train of Thought goes missing and Becker is called in with three other Fixers to find it.
In the end, the train is found and Becker must drive it back. However, all the extra Thought the Seems had was spent already. To get The World the Thought it needs, Becker drives through to the Inbetweener. He succeeds in getting the Thought back, but he may or may not have survived due to crashing into the dangerously low entrance. Jenifer receives a job in The Seems, but at Becker's request, she is still unremembered about Becker and the Seems.
Becker's fate is left ambiguous at the end of the book, but there are some clues that he may have survived. For one thing, the homepage of the website for The Seems features a note that is supposedly written by him. Since it mentions the books in the series about him (including The Lost Train of Thought), he must have survived to have been able to write the note. Also, the authors have said that they plan to write a fourth book, tentatively called "A Better Place", and may even currently be doing so. There have also been many people who called for a fourth book to be written, to show that Becker did survive.
Themes
In the first book, "suffering and its purpose in the world" serves as one of the themes The review notes how although many of the older kids will not buy the Bed Bugs, they serve a meaningful purpose. The Bed Bugs can show how suffering is still necessary just like how the Nightmare like qualities of the dream needed a scary moment before jumping into the happy parts. Then, in the second book, a themed noted is how "the Seemsians, especially our protagonist Becker Drane, have strong ethics, remain true to their goals and doing the right thing, and they understand and buy into doing your part for society and following the rules that accompany life."Publication history
The first book, The Glitch in Sleep, was first published in the US and UK as a hardcoverHardcover
A hardcover, hardback or hardbound is a book bound with rigid protective covers...
on September 18, 2007. About two months later the audiobook version was released on November 1, 2007. The paperback
Paperback
Paperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...
was released along with a new cover on August 19, 2008. On July 7, 2008 a new cover was again released as a paperback.
Reception
The series has been well reviewed. It has been praised by Publishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
how "the authors use the conceit to the fullest, creating a complex and intricate world with a sometimes daunting array of gadgets, bureaucracy, vocabulary and capitalization (a glossary
Glossary
A glossary, also known as an idioticon, vocabulary, or clavis, is an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with the definitions for those terms...
is included—and welcome)" yet at the same time "these details don't become overwhelming, fortunately, thanks to the book's consistently lighthearted tone". Another review by Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
also praised the audiobook version and that the series is very imaginative.The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
commented how the book can be read just for fun or could also be "mulled over for its implied questions about big philosophical issues". Also, in a review from School Library Journal
School Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
, the first book was called "a rollicking tale" and praised the characters while comparing it to Garth Nix's"The Keys to the Kingdom
The Keys to the Kingdom
The Keys to the Kingdom is a fantasy–adventure book series written by Garth Nix, published in seven books between 2003 and 2010. The series chronicles the adventures of Arthur Penhaligon, an asthmatic 12-year-old boy who is chosen to become the Rightful Heir of the House, the epicenter of the...
". The second book also received many positive reviews with another review from School Library Journal praised the audiobook version, but commented that background information would be needed for new readers. Also, Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
praised that the second book is just as good as the first and has an "ingenious setting". However, Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...
criticized the predictability.
Awards
The first book, The Glitch in SleepThe Glitch in Sleep
The Glitch in Sleep is the first novel in The Seems children series, released as a hardcover on September 18, 2007 by Bloomsbury Publishing. It was written by John Hulme and Michael Wexler. The book follows Becker Drane, a Fixer for The Seems on his first Mission to find and capture a Glitch...
was nominated for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award and a Vermont children’s choice award. It was also chosen as one on Amazon's Best Books of the Year
Amazon's Best Books of the Year
Amazon's Best Books of the Year is a list of best books created yearly by Amazon.com. It is a list of best books picked by Amazon editors and customers. It began in 2000. Customer favorites are ranked according to the number of sales made through October, for books published in that calender year...
(2007) along with nine other books and also named an Autumn Book Sense Children's pick in 2007. The second book ranked fifth for the 20 best books for middle schoolers in 2008 by reviewer Peter Glassman.
Movie adaption
Film rights to the first book have been acquired by Twentieth Century Fox, but no release has been yet planned. The movie will be directed by Shawn LevyShawn Levy
Shawn Adam Levy is a Canadian-American actor, director and producer who directed the comedy films Big Fat Liar, Just Married, Cheaper by the Dozen, The Pink Panther, Night at the Museum, Date Night, and the sci-fi movie Real Steel...
who also directed Night at the Museum
Night at the Museum
Night at the Museum is a 2006 fantasy adventure-comedy film based on the 1993 children's book The Night at the Museum by Milan Trenc. It follows a divorced father trying to settle down, impress his son, and find his destiny...
and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is an American adventure comedy film directed by Shawn Levy, and starring Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, and Steve Coogan. The film is a sequel to Night at the Museum...
. Levy first decided to make a movie when he read the book and loved it. He later met up with John Hulme and Michael Wexler during one of their tours to show them what the movie would look like. This story was also on the cover of the magazine Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
. Shawn Levy said:
"This is such a visually original and fresh world, where memory, weather, sleep and things like that are created.I've been working with Fox to find the next major all-audience franchise, and we feel that if we nail the screenplay, this has the potential to fit that bill, with the same humor, family friendliness, and lack of condescension."
External links
- The Seems Official site