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  • Published: 1 June 2010
  • ISBN: 9780440869245
  • Imprint: Yearling
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $26.00

Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved the World



Alexander saves the world from alien invasion, armed only with the faded underpants of a scientific genius! Hilarious, exciting and original writing from a highly acclaimed author.

A stinking alien commander.
Eight freaky kids.
And a pair of faded Y-fronts.

When crazy Uncle Otto warns of imminent invasion from outer space, his maths geek nephew Alexander takes on the task of saving the world. He recruits a ragged crew of school superheroes to help him, including Tortoise Boy, armed with Cedric the tortoise, the Human Hurricane, who possesses untold power in his bottom, and Really Annoying Girl. But with only a pack of cards, some toy ray-guns and a pair of old pants for help, can they do it? Find out in this nail-bitingly scary but hilarious story by a prize-winning author.

  • Published: 1 June 2010
  • ISBN: 9780440869245
  • Imprint: Yearling
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $26.00

About the author

Anthony McGowan

Date: 2004-06-24
Anthony McGowan was born in Manchester. Educated at a Catholic comprehensive, he won't say that his characters' schooldays are exactly based on his own, but he certainly writes from experience. Before turning to writing full-time, Anthony gained a PhD in Philosophy, worked as a nightclub bouncer, an Open University tutor, a journalist and a civil servant. He is married with two children.

His first book, Hellbent, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award. He won the Teenage Booktrust Prize for Henry Tumour, which was also shortlisted for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, the Lancashire Children's Book of the Year Award, the Redbridge Teenage Book Award and the Catalyst Award. The Knife that Killed Me was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Anthony is also the writer behind the Donut Diaries books.

Anthony McGowan is a multi-award-winning author of books for adults, teenagers and younger children. He has a life-long obsession with the natural world, and has travelled widely to study and observe it. He has also written feature articles and travel journalism for The Times, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard and Mail on Sunday.

Also by Anthony McGowan

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Praise for Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved the World

It's dirty, inventive and made me laugh aloud . . . Any kid into Andy Griffiths or the Astrosaurs series will be in ecstasy

Amanda Craig, The Times

I loved Einstein's Underpants. It strikes the perfect balance between wacky wahey pants-based fun, and a top quality, energetic sci-fi romp . . . The writing style is dramatic, punchy, and is perfectly pitched at its audience. Anthony McGowan is always excellent, and this is no exception. Highly recommended.

Keith Dudhnath, The Bookbag

Einstein's Underpants is zany, irreverent and downright absurd - children will love it

Independant on Sunday

Entirely genius

Toby Clements, Daily Telegraph

If your nine year old has not yet discovered the world of Anthony McGowan, then now might be the time

Rachel Carlyle, Sunday Express