Science-fiction buffs who want a good laugh will thank you for this zany book. Readers will beg for more from this first-time author. - The Salem Statesman Journal
…very funny… Henry Clark is a longtime contributor to MAD magazine, and it shows in his sassy wordplay. But there’s also smart plotting: this adventure to outwit a dictator who plans to enslave humanity is both an intricate love letter to sussing out clues and the realities that underpin kid-hood. - The Austin American-Statesman
Clark's fresh sense of the absurd makes What We Found in the Sofa and How It Saved the World a hilarious tale of attempted world domination and mind control through cellphones and junk food… and it's all good. - Newsday
...the book is a magnificent example of the outrageous tale. There is heroism, villainy, and goofiness galore in this highly readable adventure. - FanboyNation.com
“This clever story self-consciously and irreverently follows in the footsteps of classic quest tales, quietly dropping homages to The Lord of the Rings and A Wrinkle in Time along the way ... compelling backstories make readers root for the characters, and the gang’s good-natured bickering and sharp perception will make budding science fiction fans feel like they’ve been welcomed into a circle of friends for this whirlwind adventure.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
With subtle winks and nods at Madeleine L’Engle, the plot and well-developed characters successfully reconcile science fiction and realistic middle-school drama in a way that will satisfy readers of both genres. - Booklist
Clark’s debut is refreshingly bonkers. It offers thinking kids humor that is neither afraid of the potty nor confined to it. Most of the characters (and some of the furniture) have their quirks, but there is a realism at the core that readers will respond to.Puns and wordplay abound in this droll science-y/fantasy adventure that’s sure to please...and is, one hopes, the first of many from Clark. - Kirkus Reviews
Fast paced and entertaining, this sci-fi novel strains credulity but is still an exciting, suspenseful adventure with many unexpected twists. Commentary on both corporate interests and middle-school social dynamics adds depth without seeming heavy-handed ... those willing to take a chance on something odd will be rewarded. - School Library Journal
The kids’ uncertainty about who to trust and the novel’s swift pace create unyielding suspense... for those destined to become Douglas Adams fans it will be hilarious and gripping. - Publishers Weekly
Clark’s ideas are wonderful! The premise of the book makes for a wacky sci-fi adventure with quite a few clever details. There is a real intelligence to the story, too, that readers of all ages will appreciate. The action is fast-paced and both funny and heart-stopping... This is an author with a vivid imagination and unique vision and one whose future books are sure to be even better than this entertaining debut. - KidsReads
A Selection of the Junior Library Guild
A 2013 ABC Best Book for Children
An American Booksellers Association New Voices Pick