Science Fiction    Science Fiction; two words that encompass so many images and ideas; from spaceships and aliens, super-computers and androids, to mutants and time travel - it's all Sci-Fi. From Star Trek and Star Wars, to Stargate SG-1, science fiction is a staple of the American television and movie industries. Likewise, from H.G. Wells to George Orwell, Ray Bradbury to Frank Herbert, and the more recent Orson Scott Card and Margaret Haddix, science fiction is a thriving genre in literature that captures the imagination of all generations. For readers and those who like to be read to, from ages 4 through high school, the following books will transport children to new worlds, introduce them to new species, and encourage them to stretch their imaginations. Visit our Themed Reviews section for more space books! Reviews Akiko and the Great Wall of Trudd Mark Crilley    The reader joins this third installment in the continuing adventures of fourth grade earthling, Akiko, as she and her extraterrestrial crew encounter obstacles in their rescue attempt of the kidnapped Prince Froptoppot from the Alia Rellapor. The Great Wall of Trudd, like a supernatural Great Wall of China, appears to be impossible to go over or under, leaving Akiko and her merry band faced with having to find a way through it, only to find themselves crossing a seemingly endless bridge. Along the way they encounter the dreaded Throck. First published as a comic book series in 1995, the book follows Akiko on the Planet Smoo and Akiko and the Sprubly Islands. The cliff-hanger chapter endings tug on the reader to keep going, but it is disconcerting to have the story start mid-stride and end with the quest unresolved until, presumably, the next volume. The books will be best read as a set and in order. 2001, Delacorte Press/Random House Children's Books, Ages 8 to 12, $9.95. Reviewer: Valerie O. Patterson ISBN: 0385327277 Akiko in the Castle of Alia Rellapor Mark Crilley    Akiko must save Prince Froptoppit from his kidnapper, Alia Rellapor. Making the difficult journey over rugged terrain to Alia's castle, Akiko is accompanied by her faithful friends--resourceful Spuckler is full of surprises; robotic Gax lends his mechanical expertise at crucial moments; intellectual Mr. Beeba can be counted on for all sorts of information; and round-bodied, floating Poog communicates in a mostly unintelligible language. Capturing a huge robotic Torg, the team uses it as a Trojan horse to enter Alia's castle. They find and retrieve the Prince, but are caught. Alia, who turns out to be the Prince's mother, condemns them to die in a lava trap. Poog rescues them. As they leave the castle, they discover Alia in a trance-like state. Revived, she becomes her kind and loving self again. Throck, her half-man, half-robot chief henchman, had kept her in a drugged state and forced her to do evil deeds. Akiko disables Throck and they use his spaceship to return to the king's palace. After a huge celebration, Akiko returns to earth. Crilley's previous book, Akiko on the Plant Smoo, tells the beginning of this adventure. 2001, Delacorte Press, Ages 9 to 12, $9.95. Reviewer: Chris Gill ISBN: 0385327285 Akiko on the Planet Smoo Mark Crilley    This book is based on a comic book series that Crilley began writing in 1992. He was teaching in a Japanese school at the time, and Akiko and her adventures became the way he made the lessons exciting. Putting them in book form was a natural outgrowth of that exercise. Akiko, who lives on the seventeenth floor of her apartment building, is approached at her window by a group of aliens. They take her to the planet Smoo, and although she insists that she has no experience in being a detective, she is given the job of finding King Froptoppit's son. Her companions include--a loudmouth who is very like a human teenage boy (a combination of real bravery and bravado), an almost human middle-aged man who might easily be a teacher in Smoo's middle school, a robot named Gax WHO SPEAKS IN CAPITAL LETTERS, but softly, and a creature named Pog who is almost all eyes and who speaks a language that Akiko doesn't understand. Together, they survive being kidnapped by pirates and imprisoned. Then they're forced to fight for their lives in an arena very like Rome's Coliseum. Akiko is remarkably cheerful throughout, and only succumbs to homesickness near the end. But the end of the book is not the end of the adventure. We are left hanging as the crew, in a new spaceship, prepares for more excitement in another book. After all, they haven't found the prince yet. It is fun, but a little strained. Unfortunately, too often the dialogue sounds as if it came from a textbook. Everything is a little too explained. It is certainly fast moving, and if the characters don't seem quite human, well, they're not. It may be good for middle school. 2000, Delacorte, Ages 8 to 12, $12.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman ISBN: 0385327242 Alien and Possum: Friends No Matter What Tony Johnston Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi Possum and Alien couldn't be more different. Alien is made of smooth metal. Possum is hairy. Alien is rainbow-colored. Possum is just one color--gray. Alien thinks high voltage is yummy. Possum's favorite snack is trash. Can these two ever be friends? You bet. They meet when Alien crash-lands his spaceship on a moonlit night, right into Possum's back yard. Despite a rocky start, the two new friends have some pretty funny adventures together. Underlying the action in the chapters is a wonderful idea that speaks to kids of all ages--a friend is someone who likes you, no matter what. Tony Johnston is a renowned author of more than thirty books for young readers. These "Alien and Possum" stories are reminiscent of Arnold Lobel's much-loved Frog and Toad tales. The type-style, page layout and sentence structure are perfect for beginning readers. Tony DiTerlizzi's full-color illustrations in watercolors, colored pencil and gouache paints add a gentle, lyrical tone. The book is the first title in a series that beginning readers are certain to become hooked on. 2001, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $15.00. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree ISBN: 0-689-83835-2 Alien & Possum Hanging Out Tony Johnston Illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi    The familiar format of an easy-reader friendship story gets a pleasingly bizarre twist when the two friends are this unlikely pair: fluffy, furry Possum, dressed in rolled-up overalls or striped nightshirt, with his tail poking out the back; and shiny, metal Alien, dressed in his spacesuit, with an incongruous, tiny black top hat perched on his head. In three short free-standing stories, the two discover that each is special in his own way ("There are trillions and kazillions and kerbillions and skadillions of possums. But there is only one possum like you"), that you don't need to have an actual day-you-were-born birthday to have a birthday party, "where you eat too much frosting and sing the birthday song and dance all over the place," and that friends can have fun together even if one hangs from tree branches upside down and one hangs from tree branches right side up. The messages are both offbeat and profound, presented in a way that is lighthearted rather than heavy-handed. Author Tony and illustrator Tony have come up with a delightful duo here. 2002, Simon & Schuster, $15.00. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Claudia Mills ISBN: 0-689-83836-0 Alien Lifesearch: Quest for Extraterrestrial Organisms David Jefferis    With 100 billion galaxies and 100 billion stars in each galaxy, it is easy to understand why scientist believe life as we know it exists somewhere else in the universe. There are numerous theories about how life began on earth. One is that life started under thick ice, a second is that life developed in warm water like small ponds or lakes, and a third is that life started in hot places like geysers or volcanic areas. Another theory is that life forms were brought to the earth by comets or meteor. Scientists have many ways of exploring the universe for life. In 1997 the United States sent a small vehicle to Mars, the Sojourner. Mars has long been a focus of interest in extraterrestrial life. Astronomers also use radio telescopes to listen for signals from other life in the universe. Scientists are also sending signals into deep space in an attempt to make contact. Some believe that aliens have already visited the earth in UFO's. There are many questions and not too many definitive answers yet. Part of the "Megatech" series. 1999, Crabtree, $20.60 and $8.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Kristin Harris ISBN: 0778700496 ISBN: 0778700593 Among the Betrayed Margaret Peterson Haddix    The first two parts of Haddix's "Population Police" sequence were tight, exciting, futuristic problem novels. For the third book her premise remains the same--all third-born children are in peril of their lives in a society governed by fears of famine. Haddix extends the premise by picking as her heroine Nina, a thirteen-year-old illegal who was a minor figure in the last story. So far, so good. Then Nina is arrested and coerced into spying on and potentially betraying a group of three very young illegals. As the story focuses on moral issues, paranoia becomes its overriding emotion. A rational development, true, yet Nina is a difficult heroine to like, and the convolutions of the plot become increasingly labyrinthine until it's hard to sort out good from bad, hero from villain. Close, but no cigar. 2002, Simon & Schuster, Ages 9 to 14, $15.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0689839057 Best Books: Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2003; American Library Association-Booklist-YALSA; United States Among the Impostors Margaret Peterson Haddix    Luke is a "third child" in a society whose laws forbid having more than two children. All of his life Luke's family has hidden him from the Population Police, a story that was introduced Haddix' previous book, Among the Hidden. In this sequel, Luke enrolls under a fake name at Hendricks School for Boys where he is confused, hazed and terrified, until he finds an unlocked door to the outside. Luke was raised on a farm and loves gardening and the outdoors, unlike others in his prison-like new home, where he can trust no one. The disquieting message of governmental control of population due to food shortages creates a suspense-filled plot that should fully engage readers in Luke's plight and outrage at being estranged from the world. In the end, Luke's strength of conviction to defy the odds bursts through the complex web of secrecy and deceit he finds at the school. Luke is heroic as he finds the solution to his dream--helping other third children like himself to live a more meaningful life. This is a real page-turner; one that may challenge young readers to look at the odds as they try to make a difference in their own world. 2001, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 10 to 14, $16.00. Reviewer: Elaine Wick ISBN: 0689839049 Best Books: Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2002; American Library Association-Booklist-YALSA; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Golden Duck Awards-Hal Clement Award for Young Adults Honorable Mention 2001 United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Lone Star Reading List, 2002-2003; Texas Ancient Fire Mark London Williams    Eli Sands is a time traveler. His dad is a physicist and his experiments have had a pretty dramatic impact on his family. His wife has disappeared and his son is yanked around, or rather tangled up in time. As Eli travels back in time he ends up on the space ship of Clyne, a Saurian dinosaur boy. This causes the ship to go off course and they end up in Alexandria, Egypt in 415 AD. They are hovering over a tower that is being attacked by an angry crowd. Thea and her mother are in the tower. Thea's mother is the last librarian of Alexandria. She had been accused of being a witch, and that makes life difficult for them. As the city is burning and they are trying to escape, Clyne and Eli appear in the space ship. This adds fuel to the rumor that Thea and her mother are witches. Before this adventure is over, Thea is rescued and travels with the dinosaur boy and Eli to each of their worlds. Each character has distinct chapters that tell the story from their point of view. 2001, Tricycle Press, Ages 7 to 12, $5.95. Reviewer: Kristin Harris ISBN: 1582460337 ISBN: 1582460329 Awards, Honors, Prizes: Golden Duck Awards-Eleanor Cameron Award for Middle Grades Honorable Mention 2001 United States Aria of the Sea Dia Calhoun    Thirteen-year-old Cerinthe Gale is the high-spirited heroine of this YA novel from the author of Firegold, and her quest to be a dancer is the moving force in the quick-stepping story. Hope lies in every action of young Cerinthe's even as it lay in the stitches her mother sewed into her dancing garments. Calhoun sketches her impulsive young heroine with grace. The story moves along at a comfortable pace, culminating in a satisfying conclusion in which Cerinthe achieves a goal nearly in danger of going unrealized and, more importantly, achieves a sense of self. The fantasy world of this story is rendered in a tapestry-like manner, barring only a few places where narrative seemed mildly anachronistic. 2000, Winslow Press, Ages 10 to 14, $15.95. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami ISBN: 1890817252 Best Books: Amelia Bloomer Project, 2002; American Library Association-SRRT; United States Best Books for Young Adults, 2001; American Library Association-YALSA; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States Teachers' Choices, 2001; International Reading Association; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Garden State Teen Book Awards, 2003; New Jersey Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2001-2002; Kentucky Lone Star Reading List, 2002-2003; Texas Michigan Reader's Choice Award, 2003; Michigan Baloney, Henry P. Received and decoded by Jon Scieszka Visual recreation by Lane Smith    When Henry P. Baloney arrives late for school once too often, the teacher tells him he will have lifelong detention unless he has "one very good and very believable excuse." Henry lives up to his name and impresses her with his account of blasting off into space and landing on the planet Astrosus. Fortunately, he had his zimulis (pencil) with him and with its help, he was able to escape and finally arrive at school, seven minutes late. Borrowing words from several languages such as Finnish, Polish, Swahili, Dutch and Estonian, as well as a few transpositions and spoonerisms, Scieszka has put a new twist on a familiar problem. Smith has created an expressive and likeable green alien. There is plenty of movement and action in the drawings. Aliens, space rockets and imaginative constellations are all part of the whimsical illustrations. Text and pictures come together to help the reader decipher the foreign words. The words Scieszka has selected have wonderful sounds. Such a fun way to play with words and sounds, and this is sure to elicit giggles from the primary grade crowd while stimulating the imagination. 2001, Viking/Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, $15.99. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo Baloney, Henry P. Received and decoded by Jon Scieszka Visual recreation by Lane Smith    Outrageous spins on familiar themes are this team's specialty. Here Henry must come up with an excuse for being late to tell his teacher, Miss Bugscuffle. and so he begins his wild narration, filled with words whose meanings we must guess. Blasting off from a launch pad to a strange planet, he encounters, charms, then enrages the inhabitants, finally surviving a rough return. The Afterword informs us that this is a transmission from outer space, in many Earth languages, while a Decoder page gives us the original language and translation. A wild romp in few words, with new ones to learn as a bonus, this zany narrative demands appropriate visuals. Smith obliges with very large type set in capitals appearing in boxes, while other boxes of varying sizes attempt to show us Henry's out-of-this-world adventures. The mechanical look of everything, including our hero, appears produced with electronic help. Don't miss the shiny paper jacket over a textless cover, or the knock-out endpapers. A CD with the book includes a screen saver, wallpaper and a great game to practice the new vocabulary, along with information about the creative pair and their other publications. 2001, Viking/Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, $15.99. Ages 5 to 11. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0670892483 Best Books: Children's Book Sense 76 Picks, Fall 2001; Book Sense 76; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States New York Times Notable Books, 2001; New York Times; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, April 2001; Cahners; United States Reading Magic Awards, 2001; Parenting; United States State Reading Lists: Colorado Children's Book Award List, 2003; Colorado Beatnik Rutabagas from Beyond the Stars Quentin Dodd    This book is a wacky takeoff on adult science fiction. In the same spirit as Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, it provides a unique vision of what life is like in outer space. Walter Nutria is a sci-fi movie buff and has rented every movie from his local store. One afternoon Walter is confronted by a flying saucer with a huge baseball mitt (the grip actuator on the saucer is broken.) The ship is owned by the Lirgonians, aliens that look like middle-aged men in red footie pajamas. They are in the midst of a war and need a commander. His best friend (and secret crush) Yselle has been recruited by the Wot-wots, the giant alien rutabagas of the title and the archenemies of the Lirgonians. When the ships of the two species get stuck together, Walter and Yselle get a tour of the galaxy they will never forget. This is a silly book. The characters are bizarre, the settings are unrealistic and the plot unbelievable. That is exactly what makes this book a joy to read. Hard core sci-fi buffs probably won't like it, but for the rest of us space tourists, it is an extremely enjoyable read. 2001, Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00. Ages 11 to 16. Reviewer: Heather Robertson ISBN: 0374305153 Before Wings: A Novel Beth Goobie    This beautifully written novel follows fifteen-year-old Adrien for one summer, when she works at her Aunt Erin's summer camp. A survivor of a brain aneurysm two years before, Adrien is haunted by visions of life after death and lives in fear of another aneurysm. Throughout the summer, Adrien gradually learns to accept the pleasures of life as she meets and falls in love with a local youth, Paul. Her new commitment to life is challenged by a mystery with supernatural overtones that threatens her life with Paul. Goobie weaves the natural and supernatural together effortlessly in this novel, which features a truly engaging protagonist. 2001, Orca Book Publishers, Ages 12 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph ISBN: 1551431610 Best Books: Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States Capitol Choices, 2001; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Teens' Top Ten List, 2001; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Saskatchewan Book Awards Children's Literature Winner 2000 Saskatchewan, Canada Young Adult Canadian Book Award Winner 2001 Canada State and Provincial Reading Lists: Saskatchewan Book Awards Children's Literature, 2000; Saskatchewan, Canada Blueprint Charlotte Kerner Translated by Elizabeth D. Crawford    It's the not too distant future, and the world has its first human clone. Her name is Siri, which is the backward spelling of Iris, Siri's mother/twin. Iris, a thirty-year-old concert pianist, is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She decides that the only way to ensure her immortality is to make a genetic copy of herself. A brilliant doctor helps Iris conceive and deliver the child, Siri. Being a clone, or blueprint, as Siri prefers to be called, is like having an identical twin, a twin that is thirty years older than you. As Siri grows into her adolescent years, so do her conflicting emotions about herself and her relationship to her mother/sister. Inevitably, Siri has to make a break from Iris, but she does not finally feel free until Iris succumbs to her illness. Inspired by recent advances in science and genetics, this modern-day morality tale was originally published in Germany. 2000 (orig. 1999), Lerner Publications Company, Ages 12 to 16, $16.95. Reviewer: Christopher Moning ISBN: 0822500809 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Children's Choices, 2001; International Reading Association; United States Boltzmon! William Sleator    In his room, away from the teasing and tormenting of his older sister Lulu, Chris creates the mythical world of Arteria on his computer. It is a safe refuge when he wants to escape. On the night of his sister's slumber party, Chris comes into possession of a spherical blob, a Boltzman. Highly unstable, this remnant of a black hole from the future tells Chris that there is a real world called Arteria. It is a parallel universe, forty years ahead of Earth. The Boltzman warns Chris that he must reach the Time Temples on Arteria in order to prevent his own death in a few days. Flipped back and forth between the two worlds by the powerful creature, Chris knows that only on Arteria can he confront his sister and put an end to their deadly rivalry. With suspense and the perverse humor of the alien sustaining an intricate plot, Sleator has created an absorbing sci-fi novel with an engaging hero and a thoroughly unpleasant villain. Reminiscent of The Green Futures of Tycho and Interstellar Pig, this is Sleator at his best. 1999, Dutton, $15.99. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey ISBN: 0525461310 Best Books: Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Bridging Beyond Kathleen Benner Duble    This suspenseful and intriguing book successfully blends elements of horror, romance and science fiction into the well-woven tale of a young woman fighting the demons of both her present and her past. Anna Kelts is suffering from tremendous guilt over her role in a car accident that put her best friend, Jessica, in a coma. Just a month later, Anna learns that her beloved great-grandmother, Mimi, has died. Anna's mother decides to leave their home in Boston and move with Anna and her sister, Jess, to Mimi's home in Illinois. Upon their arrival in Illinois, Anna begins to have frightening and realistic dreams and visions, ones that seem to overlap reality with memory. Anna and her mother work with a doctor to determine the cause of the dreams, only to learn the Anna's memories and her great-grandmother's are genetically intertwined. With determination and desperate courage, Anna faces both her own past and that of her great grandmother. It is only after fighting her way through these memories that she and her family can begin to heal. 2002, Philomel Books, Ages 12 to 17, $17.99. Reviewer: Catherine Campbell Wright ISBN: 0399236376 Best Books: Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Can Of Worms Kathy Mackel    Thirteen-year-old computer geek, Mike, is a social misfit among the jocks of his junior high school. Tormented and convinced that he, himself, is really an alien, he uses his technological skills to send out an S.O.S. to space and beyond for rescue from Earth. To his amazement, other life forms overwhelm him--everything from intergalactic lawyers to the dastardly Jong--just as he discovers that he isn't as much of a nerd as he'd originally thought. Humor and hope for outcast teens provides a much needed laugh in these dark days. However, in light of recent Colorado events, this book takes on an ironic edge. 1999, Avon Camelot, $15.00. Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross ISBN: 0380976811 Best Books: Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, June 1999; Cahners; United States The Circus Lunicus Marilyn Singer    Part mystery, part fantasy and part comical coming-of-age tale, The Circus Lunicus will no doubt be compared to the Harry Potter books. But this wildly entertaining tale has its own place in the universe--the kind of universe in which many kids would like to live. Magic is afoot when the Circus Lunicus, a mysterious and otherworldly performing group, returns to Mintzville. It exerts a particularly strange and strong pull on Solomon Yanish, a misunderstood boy with an absent father, a crabby stepmother and two bullying stepbrothers. Potter-esque, to be sure, but author Singer takes her story in a different, though just as fantastic, direction. As he figures out the mysteries of the circus, Solly learns that everyone has a reason for acting the way he does, which lets him understand--if not accept--the circumstances of his own life. Kids will be relieved, however, that Solly does get the chance to exact a little harmless revenge. Singer's dialogue is masterful, veering effortlessly from the talk of preteen boys to the unctuous voice of the Ringmaster to the feeble-speak of a recently reanimated lizard. 2000, Henry Holt, Ages 9 to 12, $17.00. Reviewer: Donna Freedman ISBN: 0805062688 Best Books: Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Georgia Children's Literature Awards, 2003; Georgia The Clones Gloria Skurzynski    Fifteen-year-old Corgan, a war hero with amazing abilities, lives on the tropical island, Hiva. Life seems ideal. All is about to change with frightening speed. It is the year 2081, Earth has been hit with terrorism, plague, disease and nuclear war. Nature is devastated and all human life is relegated to few domed cities (book one: Virtual War) plus a few Pacific islands which include Hiva. Corgan's friend--girlfriend? --Sharla arrives unexpectedly with an infant cloned from Brig, their late fellow hero of the virtual war. The baby, Seabrig, has a clone-twin named Brigand; both are genetically engineered to grow rapidly. As unsettling as their quick aging is to Corgan, he finds the difference in their personalities more so: Sebrig's is sunny, Brigand's downright malevolent. This a skewed, high tech time when teenagers aren't allowed time to mature, friendship must be sneaked and human life is valued only for its practical abilities. Skurzynski has crafted a world of tropical vegetation and barren cityscapes, relationships and jealousies, primitive danger and high tech suspense. Remarkable! This second volume contains an introduction with background material so students who haven't read the first volume can get up to speed. Hand this book to a reader who likes suspense, adventure and science, yet is still figuring out what life's values really are. 2002, Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Crowder ISBN: 0689842635 Company's Coming Arthur Yorinks Illustrated by David Small    This popular 1988 title has been reissued in a slightly larger format, with a new cover and slightly revised artwork by illustrator, David Small. A humorous and satirical tale of aliens who come to dinner, the entertaining dialog is fun to read aloud. Shirley and Moe have invited relatives to dinner, but the party is crashed by a couple of aliens who land a space ship in the backyard. While Moe panics, expecting the world to be destroyed, Shirley politely directs them to the bathroom and then invites them to come to dinner. "'Moe, Moe, take it easy. They look like nice boys,' Shirley said. 'Come, help me make the potato salad.'" Moe sneaks upstairs and calls the FBI, which calls the Pentagon, which calls the Army, the Air Force and the Marines. By the time the aliens return carrying an ominous large box, the house is surrounded by tanks, guns and helicopters. Depending on whether you side with Shirley or Moe, the ending may or may not be a surprise. 2000 (orig. 1988), Hyperion, $15.99. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Linnea Hendrickson ISBN: 0786805005 ISBN: 0786824336 Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Redbook Children's Picturebook Awards Winner 1988 United States Seal of Approval Winner Holiday 2000 Children's Books United States The Copper Elephant Adam Rapp    In Rapp's unrelentingly dismal post-apocalyptic world, acid rain falls constantly, children under twelve are rounded up, tattooed with numbers and taken to the pits where they are made to do hard labor until they drop dead, and those who manage to avoid the pits must elude the ditch dogs, the brutish syndicate members, and Blackfrost disease. Not a fun place to live, and not much fun to read about either. The tale is told in the first person by Whensday, an eleven-year-old girl who has escaped the pits through the kindness of an old coffin builder named Tick Burrowman. Whensday lives with Tick in his lifehole (home) until she learns that he is planning to sell her to a woman in Top Town. She flees Tick's lifehole and meets Honeycut, a retarded teenager, and Oakley Brownhouse, an eleven-year-old boy. The three attempt to survive in this nightmarish world called the Shelf. Whensday is a memorable character, tough, honest and observant, and she tells her tale in a dialect of poor grammar and new words that express the horror of this raw world. But despite her powerful voice, the novel's flaws outweigh its strengths. Constant scatological detail, too many unexplained questions about the nature of this new world, and vague, confusing descriptions of the setting will frustrate all but the most avid readers of post-apocalyptic literature. 1999, Front Street, Ages 12 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Maggie Meacham ISBN: 1886910421 Best Books: Not Just for Children Any More, 2000; Children's Book Council; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Fifteenth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States Digging to the Center of the Earth Michael Anthony Steele    Wishbone the book-loving terrier of the popular television series, recreates Jules Verne's, A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Wishbone and his friends try to solve the meaning of a gold medal unearthed when digging a hole in the Talbot's yard. This also leads Wishbone to cast himself in the role of Professor Lidenbrock searching to reach the center of the earth. Professor Lindebrock and his skeptical nephew, Axel, travel to Iceland to an underground adventure that includes giants, monsters and raging waters. Simultaneously, Wishbone's friends and family discover that the gold medal belonged to Colonel Noah Johnstone, a local Civil War hero. A simple writing style, pen and ink drawings in every chapter, as well as large print make this an accessible read for elementary school students. Wishbone fans will enjoy the story recreation based on the teleplay, however this series will only be popular and circulate as long as the television series continues, the book series is not strong enough to appeal long term on its own merits. 2000, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $21.27 and $3.99. Reviewer: Wendy Pollock-Gilson ISBN: 1570643938 The Doomspell Cliff McNish Illustrations by Geoff Taylor    On a calm, Saturday morning, an evil witch kidnaps Rachel and her younger brother, Eric. The children are taken to the witch’s bizarre planet, Ithrea, replete with bizarre mutations of animals and humans created by the witch’s power. The witch wants to use the children to return to Earth to punish the wizards who banished her to this forsaken place. A few creatures on Ithrea have learned to overcome the witch’s ability to control the minds of her subjects. They have united and wait for the arrival of a hope-child, one who will have enough magic to defeat the witch and free the enslaved victims. Rachel, they hope, will fulfill this role. With their help, Rachel learns gradually of her powers and begins to develop them with surprising speed. Eric, too, discovers his ability to perform anti-magic, or the undoing of cast spells. Although the witch comes close to defeating the children and the rebels on several occasions, good triumphs over evil. The witch is destroyed, her prisoners are freed, and the planet becomes anything the inhabitants imagine it might be. This novel is fast-paced, engaging, and fun to read. McNish’s tale takes us into a haunted castle, on the wings of creatures high above the clouds, through underground tunnels, and amid forests of enchanted trees. The imaginative, and often vivid, details bring to life a land that exists only in our minds. The witch is a frightening composite of all that is grotesque and terrifying, and the children and rebels are determined and brave despite their underdog status. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy suspense and love to imagine. 2002, Phyllis Fogelman Books, Ages 11 to 15, $17.99. Reviewer: Wendy Glenn ISBN: 0-8037-2710-0 Earthborn Sylvia Waugh    Author of the delightfully bizarre Mennym stories, Sylvia Waugh took the next logical step in creating the aliens of Space Race. Earthborn is a companion to that effort at earth-bound science fiction. Almost thirteen-year-old Nesta Gwynn is different in ways that are hard to explain. When events precipitate the necessity of an early return to her parents' native planet of Ormingat (a name obviously inspired by Mervyn Peake's quirky Gormenghast Trilogy,) Nesta is told the true facts at last. Refusing to accept her alien nature, she decides to disappear long enough to miss the ride home. It's an interesting story layered with just enough subtle, otherworldly overtones--the half-remembered planet; the monumental frog hiding a tiny spaceship--to simultaneously suggest belief and doubt. One roots for Nesta's success in keeping her birth world, yet the child hasn't half the life of her Mennym doll cousins. 2002, Delacorte, Ages 10 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0385729642 ISBN: 0385900600 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 2002; Cahners; United States School Library Journal: Best Books, 2002; Cahners; United States Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big Fully explained by Fannie Fudwupper (with Berkeley Breathed helping slightly)    From the creator of "Bloom County" comic strip and numerous acclaimed children's books comes a hilarious cautionary tale about the consequences of telling lies. According to Fannie, the narrator of this story, Edwurd (her big brother) has a slight fibbing problem. Actually, he is the biggest fibber in town. He cooks up outlandish tales and unleashes them on anyone who crosses his path. One day, however, his superior lying abilities land him in a heap of trouble. After breaking his mother's ceramic pig with a carelessly hit baseball, he tells his father that two passionate pigs from outer space are responsible for the mishap. When a hysterical neighbor, Lorna-Mae Loon, overhears the story, she blames the space pigs for her friend's mysterious disappearance and calls in the troops to get to the bottom of the situation. Much to everyone's surprise, the ruckus on earth awakens a large, three-eyed alien from two galaxies away, who shows his discontent over the deafening noise and threatens to strike down the fibber. Before Edwurd's identity can be revealed, Fannie steps forward and takes the blame for her brother's lie. Touched by the girl's devotion, the galactic creature returns home and lets the humans sort out the rest for themselves. Edward soon discovers that his little sister is definitely a valuable ally to have around in sticky situations. The author's amusing illustrations and rhyming text really tickle the funny bone. In fact, this laugh-out-loud picture book is one of the funniest volumes I've ever read. I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up, and that's no lie! 2000, Storyopolis/Little Brown and Company, $15.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Debra Briatico ISBN: 0316106755 Best Books: Not Just for Children Any More, 2001; Children's Book Council; Unites States The Eeakness K.A. Applegate    A teenage alien girl named Rachael inhabits the earth in many forms. She and four of her alien friends are capable of changing their forms at will to any animal by contracting their DNA. Morphing is the phase in which they change from their original form to an animal form. These five teenagers are on a mission to conquer the Yeerks, a plasma that enters the bodies of humans and takes over their minds. Rachael morphs into a cheetah to try to conquer the Yeerks and quickly learns a lesson in leadership and courage. Reader will relate to the intense bond that is created between the teens as they carry out their mission in conquering the Yeerks, and Rachael's quest to be a leader. 2000, Gareth Stevens, Ages 8 to 12, $21.27 and $4.99. Reviewer: D. K. Jones ISBN: 0836827708 Enchantress From the Stars Sylvia Louise Engdahl Foreword by Lois Lowry Illustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon    This is an updated version of a classic book that has not lost anything over the years. An advanced civilization has sent a spaceship on what amounts to a quest--to find a planet whose inhabitants are "primitive," and without revealing themselves as star voyagers, to keep the planet safe from the less-advanced Empire whose society seeks to dominate the universe. Then the plot gets more interesting and a good deal more complicated. The Empire has already sent a ship of colonists who plan to establish an outpost of their civilization. To its military commander, as well as the colonists, the natives aren't even human. The Empire's mechanical expertise has made its people unwilling to accept the peaceful magic--advanced abilities--of the most advanced group. There is a teenage heroine from the advanced civilization and a young primitive man she meets by chance. Somehow the story comes together. A good guy from the Empire realizes the natives are actually people. The heroine and her father bend their rules, the doctor expands his mind and all ends well. Questions are posed for the reader, such as, what do we really think about civilization, peace, education, promises to friends, vows to society? When can a society of primitive "people" begin to claim to be human? Is wiping out subhuman groups ever right? By whose standards? The book's rather old-fashioned style brings good grammar and pleasant manners to modern readers who are used to casual profanity and sexual encounters. The illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, in the Dillons' inimitable style, are just hints of what is going on. Highly recommended. 2001 (orig. 1976), Walker and Company, Ages 10 to 15, $18.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman ISBN: 0802787649 Best Books: Children's Book Sense 76 Picks, Spring/Summer 2001; Book Sense 76; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: American Booksellers Book Sense Book of the Year (ABBY) Award Finalist 2002 Rediscovery United States John Newbery Medal Honor Book 1971 United States Phoenix Award Winner 1990 United States Ender's Game Orson Scott Card    The "games" that brilliant Ender Wiggins learns to play and excel in while attending an elite, government-run battle school are anything but fun and childish. They are violent, ruthlessly competitive, psychologically manipulative experiences that eventually, unbeknownst to the players, evolve from battle games into actual battles. Only six years old when the book begins with his forced entry into a space-based battle school, Ender's genius makes him seems much older than his actual years, while his indomitably moral and humane nature helps him to survive and triumph against his harsh, immoral, militaristic environment. This new edition of a 1977 Hugo Award winner is both compelling and thought provoking. It portrays a frightening dystopia with a hopeful, possibly redemptive ending. Violence, strong language and mature themes make this young adult science fiction novel most appropriate for older readers. 2002 (orig. 1977), A Starscape Book/Tom Doherty, Ages 14 up, $6.99. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan ISBN: 0-765-34229-4 Escape Gary Paulsen    The year is 2057 and the United States seems to be nothing more than military bases employing captured Americans for the nourishment of the CCR--Confederation of Consolidated Republics, a Hitler-esque type of operation. Cody Pierce, a.k.a. The White Fox, has learned the language and ways of the CCR enough to earn the trust of their leaders. They, in turn, allow him to be in situations usually reserved for the elite of this regime, enabling Cody to gather critical information. Cody uses his wit and wisdom to escape from his captors in a maneuver to free himself and a prominent American military figure, and he escorts her to safety. He subsequently realizes he must be loyal to his best friend and the children left back in the barracks, and embarks on a perilous return. The book is action-packed and fast paced, to the delight of readers who are easily bored with reading. However, the descriptive violence and gruesome details serve as unnecessary drama--especially in today's society. Gary Paulsen is a prolific author whose material is a staple among Young Adult collections. Unfortunately, this does not measure up to his previous quality works. 2000, Delacorte Press, Ages 9 to 12, $8.95. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young ISBN: 0385322542 Best Books: Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States The Exchange Student Kate Gilmore    The year is 2094, and almost all of Daria's time is spent taking care of her animals. Since the environmental crash several decades earlier, the country is in need of good endangered species breeders like Daria. The last thing Daria needs is to deal with the exchange student that is coming to live with her family--especially when the exchange student is part of the first delegation from the planet Chelan. But when the alien Fen arrives, Daria is pleasantly surprised that Fen loves animals as much as she does. Together, Daria and Fen help to take care of her animals, which include mongoose, binturongs, and fennec foxes. Sometimes, though, Fen's curiosity concerning animals is daunting and Daria wonders if the extraterrestrial has an ulterior motive. Soon Daria discovers the truth about what happened to the wildlife on Fen's home planet--a fate that earth only narrowly escaped. They put together a bold plan that will help the environments of each of their worlds. 1999, Houghton Mifflin, Ages 10 to 14, $15.00. Reviewer: Christopher Moning ISBN: 0395575117 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2000; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001; National Council of Teachers of English; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2000; American Library Association-YALSA; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Lone Star Reading List, 2001-2002; Texas Young Hoosier Book Award, 2003; Indiana February Daniel Parker    This is somewhat classic science fiction about the struggle between good and evil. All the adults and young children on earth have vaporized into a gloppy mess, leaving the teenagers alone to deal with each other and what seems like the end of the world. Some of them have visions of the Demon, and these are stalked by a bunch of girl witches who want to destroy them. Mr. Parker does a good job of rendering realistic dialog, as well as writing fantasy to create a believable world. He is also skilled at creating cliffhangers at the end of chapters, making the reader reluctantly want to go on. His portrayal of the modern teenager is as chilling as the nightmare plot, particularly the girls, who are so tough and jaded that it breaks your heart to glimpse into their inner worlds. However, teens that like horror stories may enjoy this installation in the Countdown series. The publisher has put the series into paperback to target the young adult consumer; because it's a sure thing their parents wouldn't buy it for them. 1999, Simon & Schuster/Aladdin Paperbacks, Ages 16 up, $3.99. Reviewer: Nancy Partridge ISBN: 0689818203 Feed M.T. Anderson    In a futuristic society where corporate America uses propaganda as a means for regulating human existence, Anderson uses Titus, a student, to show both the advantages and disadvantages of a world controlled by technological advancement. The feed is a computer brain implant that allows Titus and his friends to have immediate access to entertainment, private mental conversations, reference materials, feed cast programs, the latest trends and advertisements. While on spring break at the moon, Titus and his friends are victims of a hacker that causes a malfunction of their feeds. During isolation at the moon hospital, Titus and Violet, a girl he met at a 'low grav' club, become close and once back on Earth they start dating. Violet experiences the most trouble with her feed because she not only received the feed late in life, but she has been inconsistent while interacting with her feed. As she becomes weaker, Titus begins to tire of her lecturing about opposing the feed and loses interest in her. Her death is viewed as an occurrence and nothing more. Anderson's dystopia is successful in showing that though technology and corporations are growing, being saturated with them can cause detrimental damage to humans. This feed regulated world is believable and thought provoking. This text can be paralleled with Lois Lowry's The Giver and George Orwell's 1984. 2002, Candlewick Press, Ages 12 to 17, $16.99. Reviewer: Jo A. Peterson ISBN: 0763617261 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Capitol Choices, 2002; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States Children's Books of Distinction, 2003; Riverbank Review; United States Choices, 2003; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2002; American Library Association-Booklist; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: National Book Awards Nominee 2002 Young People's Literature United States Fire Bringer David Clement-Davies    Enter the fantasy world of Scotia, where red deer, called Herla, battle each other in a classic tale of power, greed, honesty, and triumph over evil. Drail, lord of the Herla, and his evil minion, Sgorr, are set on undermining eons of custom and tradition in order to dominate all the creatures of Scotia. According to the prophecy, a deer will be born, the shape of an oak leaf on his brow, who will defeat the evil ones and restore the Herla to their rightful place. A deer named Rannoch is born with the fated birthmark, but he does not believe in the prophecy. Along with his friends, Rannoch journeys to the High Land. He befriends moles, otters, seals, ravens, wolves, and even man. Finally, Rannoch discovers that he cannot escape his destiny. As Sgorr's power widens, his atrocities grow more outrageous. Finally, in an epic battle with many surprises, good triumphs over evil. Weighing in at over 500 pages, the novel draws heavily on earlier stories and legends, from Tolkien's heroes to the famed Rudolf. Lies, treachery, murder, and betrayal abound in this beastly tragedy. 2000, Dutton Books, Ages 12 up, $19.95. Reviewer: Christopher Moning ISBN: 0525464921 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2002; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2000; American Library Association-Booklist; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States First Day On A Strange New Planet Dan Yaccarino    If you thought your first day in a new school was bad, you should try going to a brand new school on a strange new planet! That's just what happens to Johnny Smith, AKA "Blast Off Boy," when he is chosen to participate in the Galactic Space Exchange Program. He's headed for the newly discovered planet, Meep, to live with an alien family (the Glorps) and attend school at the Galactic Grammar School with their daughter, Blippy. Meanwhile, the Glorps' son, Blorp, is headed to planet Earth, where he will live with the Smith family and attend Johnny's old school, Davis Elementary. Johnny is very shy and nervous. Blorp is excited and happy. Johnny faces perils like a cafeteria lunch special that tries to eat him, while Blorp causes panic in the chemistry class. Although their reactions to a new school are different, neither escapes without some problems along the way. and both find new friends in the end. Kids will love Dan Yaccarino's funny, futuristic illustrations and clever text. A good beginning reader, particularly for boys. 2000, Hyperion Books for Children, $14.99. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree ISBN: 0786805781 ISBN: 0786824999 Best Books: Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, October 2000; Cahners; United States Floodland Marcus Sedgwick    Slowly as the sea kept rising people moved to smaller and smaller islands. Now ten-year-old Zoe, accidentally separated from her parents, sets out in a small rowboat in a desperate attempt to find her family and a more hospitable home. Upon landing at the Island of Eels she finds the island under the control of a gang of teens lead by the tyrant Dooby. Munchkin, a small and quiet boy, is immediately seen by Zoe and her only hope for an ally in her escape from the threats of Dooby. The only adult on the island is one mad William who in his lucid moments tells her stories of a better land. Zoe must decide if these are just the ramblings of a crazy man or clues that a far better world does exist. In the flimsy rowboat, Zoe and Munchkin set off on the vast sea for a harrowing and almost fatal journey. This first novel, with its underlying message of the effects of global warming, is an exciting survival story replete with hostile gangs, hazardous seas, and cautious friendships. While one might have wished for more detail and character motivation and development, it is till a stirring read. The enticing cover art will draw readers in and there is enough tension and drama to hold them. 2001, Delacorte, Ages 9 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey ISBN: 038532801X Best Books: Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Golden Duck Awards-Eleanor Cameron Award for Middle Grades Honorable Mention 2001 United States Freddy and the Space Ship Walter R. Brooks Illustrations by Kurt Wiese    The reissue of the "Freddy the Pig" books is worthy of a special edition of the Bean Home News, Freddy's weekly newspaper for the animals of Bean Farm. Between 1927 and 1958, Walter Brooks wrote 26 books about Freddy the Pig. America's answer to Winnie the Pooh is Freddy pig. Freddy has been mayor and magician, politician, pilot, poet, banker, cowboy, and detective. In this title, the Beans have been invaded by greedy relatives who "ate three big meals a day and they also ate before breakfast and before dinner and all afternoon and they took stuff to bed with them and ate it before they went to sleep." Handy Uncle Ben Bean has built a rocket ship in the pasture. Before setting off for Mars with Jinx the cat, Charles the rooster, Georgie the dog, and prickly Mrs. Peppercorn, Freddy pens these lines--"Farewell my friends, farewell my foes/To distant planets Freddy goes." While they are hurtling through space, Mrs. Peppercorn bumps a button, knocking the ship off course. They land on a mysterious planet that looks suspiciously like the Bean Farm, but Freddy isn't taking any chances. The air could be poison! The "aliens" could be dangerous! But he does manage to rid the "planet" of the horrible relatives. This book is a treat for Freddy devotees (and they are legion) and a delightful discovery for a new generation. 2002, Penguin Putnam, Ages 8 to 12, $6.99. Reviewer: Candice Ransom ISBN: 0-14-230089-6 From the Horse's Mouth Kathy Mackel    When the space-time continuum is ruptured, Nick Thorpe, seeking only the laughter of his peers, ends up being thrown clear into the girls' bathroom by the punch from the fist of muscle bound Aaron Fleming. Not only that, but he lands a few hours in the future. Not quite pushed into tomorrow, Nick is nonetheless clearly in trouble. Just when he thinks he has extricated himself, moreover, it happens again. By the time the problem is traced to a horned-head Zephyr pursued by a gaggle of galactic hoodlums, even Nick's best friend won't help him. The brisk pace and engaging, if reluctant, hero, keep the pages turning. There are some postmodern moral ambiguities here-- is Nick's dad really as unreliable as he appears to be, or this merely Nick's understandably jaundiced view? And should we care about a protagonist who seems more or less a class clown-turned common bully at the outset? Jill Pillsbury makes a lively accomplice, as Nick sets out to carry out no less a task than saving the world. A few quotable gems (e.g., "...you don't look a gift rat in the mouth") shine amongst swiftly traded repartee and twists and turns of plot. Mackel spins a quickstepping story, inviting readers to return to the world she created in A Can of Worms. 2002, HarperCollins, Ages 8 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami ISBN: 0-06-029414-0 The Fungus That Ate My School Arthur Dorros Illustrated by David Catrow    What would you think if fungi grew out of control all over your school? No, this is not the latest in science fiction. It started out as a simple classroom science experiment! Arthur Dorros has written an outlandish story of a classroom experiment that goes haywire. Much of the fun is credited to the illustrator, David Catrow, in this case. The experiment to grow fungi is left unattended while the children are on spring break. The discovery of how the fungi took over the school is elaborately depicted in illustrations that burst with color. The outrageous images make this a story even preschoolers would enjoy. After reading this book, I am sure that most elementary school kids will be eager to undertake their first science experiment. 2000, Scholastic Press, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Orosz ISBN: 0590477048 The Fungus That Ate My School Arthur Dorros Illustrated by David Catrow    The fungus that the students are growing as experiments in Mr. Harrison's class gets out of control during a rainy spring vacation. IT spreads everywhere and begins to devour everything. Luckily the special branch of the Sanitation Department, the Fungus Unit, cleans up the school. Our narrator's fungus is taken to the Museum of Fungus and Industry, and the class gets a special reward. This wild, zany story meets a worthy illustrator with Catrow's extremely exuberant, Dr. Seuss-ish fungus visualized in sickening super-realism. This slapstick comedy is sure to tickle the funnybones. A more serious note from the author fills in fungus facts. 2000, Scholastic Press, Ages 5 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0590477048 Funny Boy Meets the Airsick Alien from Andromeda Dan Gutman Illustrated by John Dykes Equipped with the power of humor (jokes, puns, quips, and snappy one-liners), Funny Boy sets out to save our earth from Betty, the disgusting monster from outer space. Funny Boy is from the planet Crouton and has arrived on earth with his talking dog, Punch, as a result of having nailed his brother with a spitball to the forehead. His spaceship fortunately plunges into an underwear factory, softening the crash landing. He meets Bob, a sympathetic factory worker, who allows Funny Boy and Punch to come home with him. Funny Boy meets with the President of the United States as the book wends its way toward a somewhat surprising ending. As Punch keeps reminding him, he is only a fictional character and all of the incidents in the story are make-believe. This book is strictly for laughs and will amuse the young readers for which it is intended. 1999, Hyperion Books, $3.99. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer ISBN: 078681330X Future Eden: A Brief History of Next Time Colin Thompson    Ethel, the chicken from outer space and possibly the creator of Earth as we may know it in the year 2287, is the star of this futuristic comedy. Huddled under her mothering wings are newlyweds Jay and Kay (freshly created from Jay's rib), an oracle fish named Fluffy, and Douglas, a souped-up version of Frankenstein's monster. This motley crew is off on a quest to find The Perfect Hour, thus possibly saving what remains of a very decimated mankind. The plot line is fragmented to the point of the ridiculous, which is probably the main point of the entire exercise. An Englishman transplanted to Australia, Thompson is definitely working in the Douglas Adams school, with undertones of Terry Pratchett. His quips may not come as fast and furiously as those of Adams or Pratchett, but when they do come they are well worth chortling over. 2000, Simon & Schuster, Ages 12 up, $17.00. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0689839790 Awards, Honors, Prizes: Golden Duck Awards-Hal Clement Award for Young Adults Honorable Mention 2001 United States Gobble, Quack, Moon Written and performed by Matthew Gollub Illustrated by Judy Love Put on your dancing shoes because the exhilarating antics of four animal friends will surely get your toes a-tapping! Katie the cow is bored. "Squish, flop, munch," Katie sighed, "all day./ There must be more to life than mud and hay./ I’d like to wear a tutu for a change of pace/ and dance on moonbeams up in space." So turkey, donkey, and duck build a rocket ship out of cans and glue. Not wishing to miss out on the fun, the other barnyard animals clamor aboard and they land on a space surface full of holes. Raucous animal noises and wild gyrations along with a cow in a pink tutu make the fun utterly great. They dance the Watusi, mashed potato, the swim and the zombie. But soon they miss home; after all, it is time for lunch. Lively watercolors paint animals in action and their moods clearly show in their often-hilarious facial expressions. Read the jazzy poetry in bouncy rhythm and if you need help use the audio CD. Young children are sure to start singing and dancing along with the musical rendition. An inviting story and rollicking verse that will surely be requested again and again. 2002, Tortuga Press, Ages 2 to 8, $18.95. Reviewer: Laura Hummel ISBN: 1-889910-20-1 Green Boy Susan Cooper    Trey is twelve and lives on a small island in the Bahamas. He and his little brother are inseparable even though Lou is seven and has never spoken a word. When developers plan to build a massive resort on Long Pond Cay, the two brothers fear it will be the end of their island. On a visit to the secluded cay one day, a strange thing happens; the two boys find themselves in a different world. This new world is not like home. It is polluted and overpopulated. The government controls everyone and everything. Genetic engineering has made mutants out of what little wildlife is left. The strangest thing of all to Trey is that Lou is hailed as mythic hero to the Underground, the group of people trying to change the nightmarish world. Lou doesn't seem to be surprised with this role, making it even harder for Trey to keep him safe. The two boys must travel back and forth between these two worlds and try to find a way to save both of them before it is too late. This is a beautifully crafted story. Although the plot sounds complex, it is easy to follow and never lags. It is recommended to readers between 9-12, but older readers would find this book interesting as well. It makes a powerful statement against the way we treat our world and could lead to some wonderful discussions afterwards. 2002, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Ages 9 to 12, $16.00. Reviewer: Heather Robertson ISBN: 0689847513 Hole In the Sky Pete Hautman    I am an absolute sucker for books that start with a map, like The Hobbit, or Piers Anthony's "Xanth" books. This latest, Hole in the Sky, begins as an apocalyptic novel. A couple of kids and their uncle have survived the end-of-the-world virus at the Grand Canyon Lodge and meet up with a couple of other lucky dudes who are eking out an existence (you visualize Road Warrior crossed with Dances with Wolves). But they find out that Glen Canyon Dam is about to blow because the evil Kinka--survivors-of-the-plague--have killed the dam caretakers, and so begins the journey to heroism. It is a novel about survival, serendipity, allegiance and destiny. Fans of Lois Lowry and C. S. Lewis will love this novel. It is like Hatchet by Gary Paulsen meets The Stand by Stephen King. The writing is spare, forthright and unembellished. The characters are cinematic, engaging and lovable/hateable. For preteen and teenage kids who love to imagine a world not infested with parents and other troublesome adults, it is a story they will eagerly plow through. Infused throughout with the majesty of the "biggest hole on earth" and the legends of the Hopi world below this one, reachable through the sipapuni (a real place on the Little Colorado), this will be the perfect book for kids who are headed to the Four Corners or The Grand Canyon. 2001, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Ages 10 to 14, $16.00. Reviewer: Gwynne Spencer ISBN: 0689831188 Best Books: Children's Choices, 2002; International Reading Association; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Tayshas High School Reading List, 2002; Texas Hole In the Sky Pete Hautman    Following the outbreak of a deadly flu, the earth is left with two kinds of peoples--survivors who live with different side effects and those who have never been infected. One of the latter, Ceej, lives in isolation near the Grand Canyon with his uncle and survivor sister, Harryette. Their lives are threatened when a band of crazed survivors kidnap Ceej's uncle and sister. In his quest to save them Ceej encounters a Hopi girl, Bella, who is searching for Sipapuni, a mysterious portal that leads to another world. A mix of science fiction, adventure, and mysticism, this fascinating book keeps the reader on edge until the very last page. 2001, Simon & Schuster, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph ISBN: 0689831188 Best Books: Children's Choices, 2002; International Reading Association; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Tayshas High School Reading List, 2002; Texas How I Became Champion of the Universe Kenny Harrison     The cute little narrator of this picture book loves to wrestle. And he always wins, because of his “secret weapon.” When Dad gets him tickets to watch his favorite wrestler battle the Atom Smasher from Planet Z, the boy has the time of his life. But when Atom Smasher doesn’t play fair, the boy gets so angry that he hops into the ring and uses the secret weapon on the cheater. If you haven’t guessed the secret weapon, check out this delightful and vibrant book. But be forewarned: your little ones are liable to try the secret weapon out on the would-be wrestlers in your family. 2002, Tricycle Press, Ages 4 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Christopher Moning ISBN: 1-58246-077-9 How I Became Champion of the Universe Kenny Harrison    A little boy loves to wrestle. He wrestles his sister and his best friend. He can even beat his Dad when he uses his secret weapon. His favorite TV wrestler is Mighty Max. Mighty Max is challenged to fight the Atom Smasher from the Planet Z. The boy's dad gets tickets to the match. When the Atom Smasher cheats by blowing space dust in Max's face, the little boy gets very mad. He hops in the ring and manages to become the champion of the universe by using his secret weapon: he tickles the Atom Smasher until he gives up. As champion of the universe, the boy is awarded a great big belt. Sometimes he has to tickle his sister to get the belt away from her. A fun loving story with bold illustrations that accompany simple text. The secret weapon does add some humor to the theatrical violence of wrestling. 2002, Tricycle Press, Ages 4 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Kristin Harris ISBN: 1-58246-077-9 How to Live on Mars Clive Gifford Illustrated by Scoular Anderson Mars, the Red Planet, has fascinated mankind since the discovery of its existence. For centuries astronomers and the general public pondered over life on Mars. Writers created fictional civilizations on Mars that sometimes became hostile enemies of earthlings. Artists, filmmakers and scientists all took turns creating scenarios where aliens from Mars came to earth in search of conquest. In reality, Mars is a very inhospitable place where daily temperature changes of over 200 degrees are common. With no evidence of water on its surface, it is unlikely that any life presently exists on Mars. However, repeated unmanned space missions to Mars launched by several nations have yielded fascinating information. In a "How To" guide to exploration on Mars, Clive Gifford takes a fanciful yet informative look at what the colonization of the Red Planet might look like. As the author paints a literary picture of space flight to Mars he also inserts valuable information about past attempts to send probes to that planet. Also included are a series of hands-on activities that will afford readers an opportunity to create Martian soil, measure air pressure and generate dust storms. The author's text is amplified by whimsical illustrations that serve to highlight key points. This is a book that will entertain its readers while also providing them a wealth of information. 2001, Franklin Watts, $14.00 and $4.95. Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0531146472 ISBN: 053116201X Invasion of the Mind Swappers from Asteroid 6! James Howe Illustrations by Brett Helquist This fanciful tale forms the second half of a double-sided volume of Tales from the House of Bunnicula, along with It Came from Beneath the Bed! Like its companion, this story is narrated by the youthful Howie the dachshund, nephew of Harold, the original canine narrator of Bunnicula. It features the same conceit of a journal-within-the-story, delineating Howie's struggles with the author's craft as he spins his second plot. This time, the weirdness in the Monroe household has spread to the entire town of Centerville, where the inhabitants have been taken over by aliens obsessed with world domination. Once again, readers are treated to the unfolding of a ridiculous, clichéd storyline, redeemed only by the ongoing commentary in Howie's "writing journal" chapters. Howie's attempts to placate all his editorial critics, including the love of his life, Delilah, a blond canine bombshell who features heavily in the alien-invasion plot, move this silly story into the realm of the enjoyably absurd. Savvy youngsters will appreciate Howie's attempts to create brand-name recognition for his tale, and his dreams of riches through the wonders of licensing. 2002, Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Ages 5 to 8, $9.95. Reviewer: Michele Tremaine ISBN: 0-689-83949-9 Is There Life In Outer Space? Franklyn M. Branley Illustrated by Edward Miller Edward Miller's new and fanciful illustrations are the backbone of this book whose text is the original published in 1984. Readers are invited to ponder the question of life elsewhere in the universe. In simple language, Branley discusses some of the age-old ideas about life in outer space and explains the findings of space exploration missions. The author recounts century-old newspaper stories about plant and animal life on the moon and the famous radio hoax about unfriendly Martians landing on Earth and attacking people. Bringing the reader into the space age, the author introduces Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin's historic walk on the moon and explains that later explorations found no signs of life there. Similarly, space probes to Mars found places where water once flowed, but no signs of life on the red planet. Today, no one expects that any planet but Earth could support life in our solar system. But, he notes, there are billions of stars beyond our solar system and planets revolve around some of those stars. Miller's colorful, computer-generated drawings of imaginary far-off creatures provide grist for the very young child's imagination. This is a Stage 1 book in the "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science" series. 1999 (orig. 1984), HarperCollins, $4.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Julie Steinberg ISBN: 0060281464 ISBN: 0064451925 ISBN: 0060281456 Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure Tony diTerlizzi    Jimmy's story can perhaps be appreciated more if you are a fan of that cookie, chocolate, and marshmallow confection, but the adventure remains an exciting one even for Oreo lovers. Longing to go to the moon for a Moon Pie, Jimmy is excited and a bit surprised when his "seecret projekt" jalopy takes off, with a shudder, out of this world. A slightly deaf old moon man gives him a thousand Moon Pies, then directs him to the Milky Way for "the only thing that goes with Moon Pies." An encounter with Mars Men avid for his Moon Pies, then with the monster Grimble Grinder, turn out just fine, with Jimmy getting safely back home for dinner and his favorite dessert. The double-page, naturalistic paintings present an engaging redheaded Jimmy in cowboy boots, a spectacled old man in the moon, a properly tongue-in-cheek scary Grimble Grinder, etc., in settings just detailed enough to bring us into the action. Added bits like the boy-made space vehicle and the appealingly out-of-this-world Martians add significantly to the attractiveness of the story. 2000, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure Tony diTerlizzi    How far would you go to get your favorite snack?" If you love those yummy chocolate marshmallow double-decker treats as much as Jimmy Zangwow does you would be willing to go to the moon and beyond. Because it is so close to dinner, Jimmy's mom will not allow him to have his favorite snack. Lo and behold, his secret project, the junk jumbilee jalopy, works and he rockets skyward to ask the man in the moon for Moon Pies. One thousand Moon Pies are loaded into the jalopy, but alas, Jimmy has forgotten the milk to go with them. So where do you get milk in space? The Milky Way has rivers of the frosty stuff. A loud rumble-grumble careens the jalopy out of control and Jimmy crash lands on Mars. Would you believe it? The nine hundred and ninety-nine Mars-Men LOVE Moon Pies, but before they can enjoy their treat the evil Grimble Grinder appears. Will they all be eaten by the Grindle Grinder? Will any one get to taste a Moon Pie? Will Jimmy make it home for the Brussel-sprout-noodle-bean casserole? DiTerlizzi has created and illustrated a fun and frolicking tale, loaded with creativity and wit! The text is wrapped in vivid color and all are sure to love that wacky redheaded freckle-faced boy and the little blue men on the red planet! 2000, Simon & Schuster, $16.00. Ages 4 up. Reviewer: Laura Hummel ISBN: 0-689-82215-4 The Journey K.A. Applegate    The Journey proves that even tiny things can end up being a big problem. In this book, the tiny Helmacrons return to the series. These pesky aliens are less than an inch high but have full size egos. They need more power to escape the earth's atmosphere so they come to Cassie's barn to demand the morphing cube. Rachel attacks them and tries to destroy their ship but Marco gets in the way and ends up with aliens in his nose. Marco becomes their hostage and the other Animorphs have to get them out before the little aliens do some real damage. Unfortunately, the only way to do that is from the INSIDE of their friend. This is an interesting and entertaining book with shades of Magic School Bus and Fantastic Voyage. Each chapter is written from a different character's point of view, which makes for interesting and revealing reading as this science fiction adventure unfolds. This is book number 42 of the "Animorphs" series. 2001, Gareth Stevens, Ages 9 to 13, $21.27. Reviewer: Julie Eick Granchelli ISBNL 0836827759 Just Add Water...and Scream! Dan Greenburg Illustrated by Jack E. Davis    Zack, an almost 11 year old who is in fifth grade at a boys school in New York City, has problems. His parents are divorced and he splits his time with each of them. It is when he is with his Dad that all of the weird stuff happens! Zack and his buddy Spencer decide to do a little ground work for an upcoming field trip to Washington, D.C. to see the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The only similar museum they can find in NYC is the (Washingtonians will love this) Orville and Fanny Schlectwasser Museum of Air and Space. Little did they know that the freeze dried food they bought at the gift shop was really a bunch of freeze dried spores that, when moistened in kitchen of Zack's dad's apartment, turn into a rude, hungry, growing blob intent on taking over the world! Funny, science fiction with enough of the gross-out factor to keep children interested but not the scariness. Parents or educators are looking for a way to entice their children or students to read may want to try this series. It is a Reading Level 3 but could be read by an advanced 1st grader or an older child resistant to reading. This book is the 29th in The Zack Files series. 2002, Grosset & Dunlap, Ages 8 to 9, $4.99. Reviewer: Cindy Carolan ISBN: 0-448-42887-3 The Keepers of the Flame Jennifer Armstrong and Nancy Butcher    All the grownups (in the world? In the country?) died five years ago, and a small group of children have been surviving on their own. Their old names long forgotten, Teacher and Mommy try to keep Puppy, Kitty, Teddy Bear, and Action Figure comfortable. Hunter finds food, and Angerman tries to maintain his tenuous hold on sanity. Mommy gets answers to her questions from a book that she guards carefully. But she writes in it, too, and yet she doesn't always understand what it tells her. When a group of adults finds the kids, they feel as if everything will be all right now. But soon the situation gets creepy. Very creepy. For one thing, all these adults' names are Bible verses: Ruth 2.1, Corinthians Deuteronomy--well, you get the idea. Reading Mommy's book becomes uncomfortable for her. No reasonable adult would send babies away for "testing" and never have them return. But these adults are far from reasonable. Why is a young woman being prepared for her wedding, and why isn't she happy about it? Why are Puppy and Kitten so important that they are kept away from Mommy? Why is Angerman talking to the mannequin on his back, and does the figure actually talk back to him? Gradually we get some answers, but they're almost as ambiguous as the questions. When we get to the last page, we're as eager for the next volume of the trilogy as it is possible to be. Second book of the series, "Fire us 2." 2002, HarperCollins Children's Books, Ages 10 to 14, $15.99. Reviewer: Judy Silverman ISBN: 0060080493 ISBN: 0060294124 The Keepers of the Flame Jennifer Armstrong and Nancy Butcher    Jennifer Armstrong and Nancy Butcher's science fiction thriller, The Keepers of the Flame, begins when the world was a great place to live. The sun always shone on the densely vegetated land. Food and water were plentiful. However, it all vanished in an instant. Five years ago, a deadly plague swept the land, killing all of the Grown-ups; the world's population totally diminished, leaving no civilization. Ten children survived the horrible disease, forged a new family, a new life, and together traveled up the coast of Florida in search of answers from the President in Washington, D.C. On their quest to find what has happened to the world, they encounter the first Grown-ups the have seen for years, living in an abandoned shopping mall. The Grown-ups seem delighted to see the children, and welcome them to the new world they have made for themselves. Although the Grown-ups take the children in and welcome them, the children sense that something is not right with this friendly community. The children must discover the secrets of this religious cult to find the answers they seek. However, they must stick together and not allow themselves to be sucked in by the Grown-ups. This is a great book for science-fiction lovers. It is complicated in the beginning because the reader meets so many characters at once that it becomes hard to keep up with names and who's who. Nevertheless, once the action starts to happen, it doesn't stop until the last page. Part of the "Fire Us" trilogy. 2002, HarperCollins Publisher, Ages 14 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Myra Bodrick ISBN: 0060080493 ISBN: 0060294124 The Last Book in the Universe Rodman Philbrick    In the backtimes, there were cures for health problems, people could move freely about, laws protected all citizens, water was clean and information was abundant. That was before the Big Shake. Whether a seismic event or nuclear blast triggered this Big Shake, the results were cataclysmic. Areas named Eden, Urb and Edge grew from the rubble, marking where proov, mopes, bangers and gummies survive. Gangs, their bosses, and mind probes rule in the latches; intimidation, theft, murder and drugging are normal course. In this suspenseful tale, Spaz grows beyond the confines of his social order and physical limitations to accept risk, overcome the odds and sustain a courage that enables him to face reality. He is aided in his quest by a gummy named Ryter, whose knowledge of the backtimes and ownership of a book at first intrigue Spaz. Fans of Philbrick's previous works (Freak the Mighty and REM World) will not be disappointed in this quick-paced drama. With the violence, drugs and stereotyping, this is not a tale for elementary students. Middle and high school students, however, will identify with Spaz and his quest to be released from his boundaries. 2000, Blue Sky Press, Ages 11 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner ISBN: 0439087589 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2001; American Library Association-YALSA; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Not Just for Children Any More, 2001; Children's Book Council; United States Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2001; National Council for the Social Studies; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Fifteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Charlotte Book Awards, 2002; New York Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2001-2002; Vermont Garden State Teen Book Awards, 2003; New Jersey Georgia Children's Literature Awards, 2003; Georgia Lone Star Reading List, 2002-2003; Texas Maine Student Book Award, 2001-2002; Maine Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award, 2003; Oklahoma South Carolina Book Awards, 2003; South Carolina Utah Children's Book Awards, 2003; Utah Virginia Young Readers Program, 2003-2004; Virginia The Last Book in the Universe Rodman Philbrick    Philbrick, the successful author of "Freak the Mighty," offers another dramatic adolescent quest set in a post-Apocalyptic world. Like the inspiring Freak, Spaz is a "deef," a genetically defective boy handicapped by epileptic seizures, which prevent him from escaping into the addictive world of "mind probes." These alternate realities are a sort of mental drug, which allow users to forget the horrors of new Earth. Spaz has been rejected, both by his birth family and his foster parents because of his seizures. However, he retains a loving connection to his foster sister, Bean, and it is her illness that sends Spaz on an adventure into the dangerous "Urb," gang-controlled cities at war. Traveling with Spaz is the Ryter, an elderly scribe, and Lanaya, a beautiful improved human who promises that a cure for Bean's illness exists in the fabled Eden. The problem is that unimproved "normals," like Spaz and Ryter, are barred from Eden and the improved beings that live there are not long on compassion for the frightening residents of the Urbs. The Quixote-like trio (plus a mascot, named Chox) tilt, not at windmills, but at the moral self-righteousness of the ruling Masters who see natural selection as the only solution to the Urb-an problem. If, as they say, there are no original plot lines left in the world, Philbrick has borrowed the very best elements of "Logan's Run," "Blade Runner," and Fahrenheit 451, and stirred the ingredients into quite a new recipe for multi-layered futuristic adventure. Questions abound as to what responsibility technically-superior societies have to share their knowledge with less developed countries, and whether or not life and death decisions should be made to save lives, or let nature take its often cruel course so that only the fittest survive. The questions are ageless and, although this book seems aimed at an adolescent audience, it has the potential to entertain and involve a wider age group with drama that seems cinematic in its scope and execution. 2000, Blue Sky Press, Ages 14 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross ISBN: 0439087589 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2001; American Library Association-YALSA; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Not Just for Children Any More, 2001; Children's Book Council; United States Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2001; National Council for the Social Studies; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Fifteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Charlotte Book Awards, 2002; New York Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2001-2002; Vermont Garden State Teen Book Awards, 2003; New Jersey Georgia Children's Literature Awards, 2003; Georgia Lone Star Reading List, 2002-2003; Texas Maine Student Book Award, 2001-2002; Maine Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award, 2003; Oklahoma South Carolina Book Awards, 2003; South Carolina Utah Children's Book Awards, 2003; Utah Virginia Young Readers Program, 2003-2004; Virginia Looking For Life in The Universe: The Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence Ellen Jackson Photographs by Nic Bishop    Carl Sagan wrote Contact based on the career of Dr. Jill Tarter, whose story is told here. As a little girl, Jill would walk along the beach with her father and gaze up at the sky wondering if there was somebody out there. As a result, she became an astrophysicist and the director of Project Phoenix at SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute in Mountain View, California. Twice a year she and her team travel to Arecibo, Puerto Rico and use the world's largest telescope in a search for radio signals from outer space. Although there has been no beacon from another planet yet, the search continues, with enthusiasm and with funding. In fact, the SETI Institute, in partnership with the University of California at Berkeley, is building a telescope that will speed up the process a hundred fold. For those amateur astronomers who would like to help the cause, there is a screen saver available to analyze data from Arecibo. Both technical information and excitement come through in this account. The composite photos and fish eye angles give the book an ET touch. References, glossary, and notes round out this authentic story of a fascinating woman and career. 2002, Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 13 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins ISBN: 0-618-12894-8 Men in Black II: The Alien Handbook Photographs by Melinda Sue Gordon    For anyone who has seen and enjoyed the first and second movies, this resource guide will be fun. Each alien is depicted and on the opposing page there are basic facts--Home Planet, Height, Age, Strength and Speed. This is followed by a section that addresses the alien's reason for being on earth--a quote, likes, dislikes, abilities, ambition, weakness, danger level and a 'what you need to know' section. Some of those included are Serleena, Xath, Jack Jeebs, Stinkor, Jarra, Lady Bird and Fire Bird. At the end there is an alien quiz. Generally amusing and probably appropriate for the age group that would actually go to the movie. 2002, HarperFestival, Ages 7 up, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-06-000192-5 Men in Black II: Aliens are Everywhere Z. L. Katz Photography by Melinda Sue Gordon and Phillip V. Caruso    For diehard fans of the movie, this book may have some appeal. It gives kids a close-up photograph of the various aliens and makes a simple statement about each. All aliens arriving on earth are supposed to register with the Men in Black. Many are harmless; some are a real threat--like the one who tried to eat a subway train. While the proposed reading level is 4 to 7 for this book, I can't imagine a parent taking a four-year-old to see this movie. The text is too simple for the upper range, so it is a mixed bag of limited value. 2002, HarperFestival, Ages 7 up, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-06-000189-5 Men in Black II: Back in Black Z. L. Katz Photography by Melinda Sue Gordon and Phillip V. Caruso    While the format is that of an easy reader, the subject matter is not appropriate for a four-year-old. Ben's pizzeria is invaded by aliens. Agent Jay learns that they were looking for the light of Zartha. Agent Kay has retired and is working for the postal service. He needs to be deneutralized so he can remember everything he once knew about aliens. After a mishap or two, he rejoins the Men in Black. Not much tension or excitement in this story. An adequate text supported by photos of the movie characters. 2002, HarperFestival, Ages 4 to 7, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-06-000190-9 Minnie and Moo and the Potato from Planet X Denys Cazet     This laid back pair of bovines have another crazy adventure. This time a spaceship lands right in their pasture. It is a space creature who looks a lot like a potato, but he only has one eye. It appears that he is a UPS (Universal Package Service) deliveryman who lost his way while delivering Anti Bump Cream, something used to keep the planets from smashing into each other. Mr. UPS, or Speed, as he is named, needs to get a new spaceship and be off in 30 minutes. As it turns out, the fuel he needs is moo-juice (milk) and it has to have a very high fat content. Minnie is the one. The story is full of puns and references that will go right over the heads of kid readers, but will give the adult reader a few chuckles. Another "amoosing" adventure featuring this cow duo and their farmyard friends that kids will drink right up. 2002, HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-06-623750-5 ISBN: 0-06-623751-3 Minnie and Moo Save the Earth Denys Cazet    To continue a new series of Minnie and Moo books, here the two cow friends save the earth from aliens while relaxing in a farmer's hot tub one night. Moo, the speculative one, sees three comets fall on a hill nearby while she's stargazing. She wonders if they might be space ships. Minnie is much more interested in her weight and hair and brie. From their vantage point, the aliens (who are small insect-like creatures) surmise that the cows are about to attack them. Moo swats the mosquito-like beings as they come swarming over the hot tub, and Minnie joins in vehemently when they go for the brie. It is a very whimsical insight into the friendship between the two "ladies" who never know that they have saved the world. The pencil and watercolor pictures of the cows in the tub and of the aliens on the space ship, the mother ship, and the father ship are charming and quirky. Particularly inventive is the bug-swatting scene where the water of the hot tub splattering over the page is actually blue watercolor spattered with the paintbrush. Early readers should be truly amused by this one. 1999, DK Ink, $12.95 and $3.95. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins ISBN: 0789425947 ISBN: 0789439298 State Reading Lists: Garden State Children's Book Award, 2002; New Jersey Minnie and Moo Save the Earth Denys Cazet     There are more ways than one to save the earth, as evidenced in this hilarious romp featuring two unlikely bovine heroes in charming watercolor pictures. What's important to Minnie and Moo is enjoying their leisurely hot tub picnic in the farmer's yard, munching on cheeses and gazing at the stars...until a comet seems to land on the next hill and then is joined by another, and another. It seems an alien invasion is being launched, a takeover of their "green space pimple" of planet Earth! Infuriated at the thought of losing her fancy cheeses, especially the Brie, Minnie ferociously swats at whatever is flying by, never noticing that it's no longer mosquitoes but pop-eyed purple aliens swarming with ray guns around the hot tub. All ends happily as the invaders are vanquished and three "comets" streak once more across the sky. There's even a toast with alfalfa fizz to celebrate peace on earth once again. 1999, DK, $12.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0789425947 ISBN: 0789439298 State Reading Lists: Garden State Children's Book Award, 2002; New Jersey Mission Ziffoid Michael Rosen Illustrated by Arthur Robins It's never too early to introduce the genre of science fiction to readers and it is refreshing to find a new "that's good/that's bad" tale for storytelling. Rosen's new book fits both bills. Robin's whimsical watercolor and ink illustrations capture the delight of a younger sibling telling the story of his brother who built a spaceship and crash landed on Planet Ziffoid. After a rousing game of soccer, the aliens bring him back home...and stay. 1999, Candlewick Press, $10.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner ISBN: 076360805X ISBN: 0763608068 The Naughty Prince Benoît Debecker    Prince Niles lives on a dark and lonely planet. The reader may at first feel sorry for the prince, but he is a nasty sort. When he spies a little planet filled with happy, laughing creatures, he fires up his rocket and heads off to rid that world of such pleasantness. After a crash-landing, the prince is cared for by a young girl and a friendly dog who tell him that everyone on their planet is nice except for the naughty frogs. Prince Niles decides to flatter the frogs, convince them that the people are putting them down and then encourage them to take revenge against all the happy beings on the planet. The frogs are easily led, but when they tire of their naughtiness, the kind people on the planet teach them to read and write so they will be able to think for themselves. Somewhat refreshingly, the prince is not reformed. He is booted back to his deserted planet where he can be as naughty as he wants without hurting anyone. The illustrations accompanying this amusing allegory are reminiscent of the comic strips of an earlier era. 2001 (orig. 2000), Harry N. Abrams, Ages 5 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford ISBN: 0810943042 Nergal and the Great Space Race Shana Corey Illustrated by Mark Teague    Nergal is a reluctant runner in the space race, which ends the pod/class study in Martian Health Week, in episode 3 in this series. In fact, he is so tied in knots (visual of his long legs and arms wrapped in knots) that he runs home. There his parents reassure him with a story of Dad's flop as a runner when he was a kid/space alien and the only two-legged runner in the bunch. So Nermal goes back to school, finishes the race in what looks like dead-last, and things are fine. He has done his "Martian best." It is all pretty tame fare but Teague's wacky illustrations of variously-limbed and differently-headed Martians, the Martian background details, and Corey's word play make this funny enough to encourage young readers to try another in the series, "First Graders from Mars." However, the "Commander Toad" series by Jane Yolen and Bruce Degen still wins the great space race in the pun-filled, humorous, other-world, easy-reader category. 2002, Simon & Schuster, Ages 6 to 9, $15.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler ISBN: 0-439-26633-5 New Pet Dan Yaccarino The author-illustrator offers some silly space-age fun for young readers in this new adventure featuring intergalactic exchange students, Blast Off Boy and Blorp. While visiting on Meep, Blast Off Boy misses his dog, Scooter. When his wish to have a pet is granted, he gets more than he bargained for--much more. His new pet is a huge green schloppo named Twinkles who slobbers and chews to show affection. Meanwhile, Blorp, who had never been allowed to have a pet when he lived on Meep, decides to try and get along with Scooter while on Earth. However, Scooter seems to be a bit put off by the alien in his home, so Blorp goes out to find his own pet and brings home a hippopotamus named Blinky. Sneaking a hippopotamus into the house is a difficult feat, but that is the least of Blorp's worries. His pet eats everything including all the food in the kitchen, the kitchen table and Blorp's homework. Blinky eventually must be returned to the zoo, but Scooter befriends the lonely Blorp while Blast Off Boy learns how to get along with his schloppo. 2001, Hyperion, $15.99. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford ISBN: 078680579X ISBN: 0786814292 ISBN: 0786825006 Nose Pickers from Outer Space Gordon Korman Illustrated by Victor Vaccaro   What could be worse for a guy than getting the weirdest national exchange student in your class? Getting someone that spends much of his day with his finger up his nose! Devin Hunter is the unlucky guy. As mortified as he is when he sees Stan from Pan, Devin can't believe his eyes when Stan starts eating paper and barking at the dog. For Devin, Stan's most embarrassing habit is his nose picking. For Stan, this isn't an occasional event, but almost constant. In the beginning, all Devin sees is Stan's breaking of all the "Rules of Coolness" that Devin has written down. One night, however, all this changes and Devin truly learns to not judge a book by its cover. Follow Devin and Stan's adventures as they try to keep Stan's secret identity and save the world while trying to stay cool. Korman uses imagery and detail giving a wonderful account of Devin and his new friend's adventures. 1999, Hyperion Books for Children, $3.99. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn ISBN: 078682431X ISBN: 0786813431 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000; Bank Street College of Education; United States State Reading Lists: Garden State Children's Book Award, 2002; New Jersey Noses Are Red Richard Scrimger Alan’s mother has "suggested" that Alan and her boyfriend, Christopher take a weekend canoe trip so they can get to know one another better. Alan hates the idea of spending any time with Christopher, but his mother insists. Serendipitously Alan's invites his best friend, Victor, to come along. Soon the boys are lost - or perhaps abandoned - in the wilderness. As they try to retrace their steps and find their way to the edge of the lake where Christopher is presumably waiting for them, Alan and Victor encounter quicksand, bees and a bear cub who has a very protective mother. Norbert, a small and mouthy alien who lives in Alan’s nose, suddenly appears. Norbert's comments (everyone thinks Alan is talking in that high, squeaky voice) often make things go from bad to worse. Fleeing from the angry bear, the boys fall into the river and are swept downstream where they are rescued by Zinta, a young camper spending the night alone in order to earn her Master Tripper Scroll. Eventually the boys are taken to Camp Omega where they are reunited with Christopher and find themselves caught up in the fierce competition between Zinta and her rival, Trixie. During the annual Games Day festivities Victor and Alan are drafted onto opposing teams. Alas, the athletic skills Alan needs for the games are nonexistent and his only hope of helping Zinta’s Lumberjacks win the trophy is his skill at poker. A wonderfully well written book that moves flawlessly from one misadventure to the next. This is a must read for anyone (adult or child) who has spent time in the great outdoors. BIBLIO: 2002, Tundra Books, Ages 8 to 12, $7.95. REVIEWER: Anita Barnes Lowen ISBN: 0-88776-590-4 Orvis H.M. Hoover In the 26th century, humankind has spread through the stars. Elite "spacers" send their children to boarding schools on Earth, the better to appreciate their ancient heritage. Just as 12-year-old Toby begins to feel comfortable at Hillandale, her distant parents and strict grandmother arrange to ship her to a new school on Mars. Alone and weeping, Toby comes across someone even more desolate than herself-Orvis, an ancient robot who has been ordered to walk into a landfill and shut himself down. Although dented creaking, Orvis is a special robot, a former planet-rover designed to think for himself. With the help of Thaddeus, another lonely student, Toby decides to seek a home for Orvis with a great-grandmother she's never met. When their airtruck is stolen and their chauffeur kidnapped, Toby, Thaddeus, and Orvis must strike out across Earth's unpopulated "Empty" to reach Toby's great-grandmother. In the end, Toby finds a place for herself, Thaddeus, and Orvis. The book's science fiction elements are interesting and believable, while never overwhelming the human story at the heart of the tale. Orvis, though metallic, is as finely drawn a character as Toby. This is an appealing introduction to science fiction for middle readers. 2002 (orig. 1987), Starscape Books, Ages 9 to 12, $5.99. Reviewer: Pamela S. Turner ISBN: 0-812-55735-2 Outernet Control Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore The Server may look like an ordinary laptop computer, but in reality "it is an incredible piece of alien technology." The Server allows access to the Outernet, a system created by the Weaver to enable the whole of the Galaxy to freely exchange information. It is the only Server not yet possessed by the evil Tyrant who needs it to gain control of the Outernet and thus the Galaxy. Fortunately the Server is in the safekeeping of three young earthlings, Jack, Merle and Loaf, and their alien colleagues (who have disguised themselves as a dog and a cat). These five have used the Server to form a chain of computer links that prevent the Tyrant’s henchmen from teleporting to Earth and taking control of the Server. Alas, the chain is broken by Loaf, a delightfully greedy schemer always ready to make a fast buck. The Server may now end up in the hands of the Tyrant unless these earthlings can outwit his agents. This is a predictable science fiction novel complete with an evil Tyrant and his brutal allies, the FOEs, and with the FRIENDs who struggle against them. It comes as no surprise that at the end of this tale the Server is saved from the FOEs (at least, temporarily) and Jack, Merle and Loaf return safely to Earth, but only long enough to rescue Merle’s father. Their next adventure is already beginning. The book is filled with computer terminology and kids not familiar with computer language and technology may find this book less interesting than those who are. There is an associated website (www.GO2OUTER.net) with codes and passwords that are found in the book. 2002, Scholastic Inc, Ages 9 to 12, $4.99. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen ISBN: 0-439-34352-6 Parasite Pig William Sleator    At long last William Sleator has produced a sequel to his cult classic Interstellar Pig. Sixteen-year-old Barney--much put upon by his parents after the destruction of the family vacation cottage at the end of the first book--is back in Boston. He is busy juggling high school, a job to repay damages to the family, and the occasional forbidden game of Interstellar Pig. Enter the fuzzy-edged Julian, a new player, and Barney is back in hot water when he and his attractive fellow-gamester Katie are abducted to the planet of J'koot. While Sleator can't compete with the sheer shock value of his earlier invention, he compensates by inventing new universes of amazingly entertaining intestinal worms, not to mention a brilliantly imagined species of giant gourmet crabs. Barney and Katie survive the otherworldly wars with fortitude and modest wit. Science fiction is not the place to look for deep interpersonal relationships, so the budding teenage romance remains bland, but Sleator very charmingly and convincingly does get into the head of a certain Madame Gondii. Overall, it's a very snatchable read. 2002, Dutton, Ages 10 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0525469184 Best Books: Choices, 2003; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Pet Boy Keith Graves Stanley, an animal collector, learns the hard way that having pets is a big responsibility. He goes to the Far Out Pet Shop and instead of purchasing a new pet, Stanley becomes one for an alien boy, Jopnar. Jopnar renames Stanley Zoo-Zoo-Zar and keeps him in a jar. Stanley escapes the jar only to be put in the alien animal pound where Jopnar rescues him. Jopnar and Stanley rent a space ship and return Stanley to earth so he can take care of his own pets. The colorful illustrations are zany, and kids will love the bizarre pets and aliens as well as Stanley's facial expressions. The text rhymes imperfectly but still tells this story well. This picture book could easily be paired with other books about pet care, such as Let's Get a Pet by Harriet Ziefert for a unit about animals, or with Keith Graves' Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance for an illustration project. 2001, Chronicle Books, $12.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Wendy Pollock-Gilson ISBN: 0811826724 The Power of Un Nancy Etchemendy    We've all had occasions to wish that we could live a moment over again so that the end result might be different or at least more favorable. The author tells a great tale of a boy suddenly given that opportunity. Gib at first loses the "Unner" that the stranger gives him one fall evening. But after a near tragedy that leaves his young sister in a vegetative state, he is more anxious that ever to find the lost instrument, have the "Unner" work and relive that moment so his little sister, Roxy, is never hit by a car in the first place. The story has humor and suspense. It is a great read and grabs readers immediately. 2000, Front Street/Cricket Books, Ages 10 to 14, $14.95. Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood ISBN: 0812628500 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Golden Duck Awards Winner 2000 Middle Grades United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominees, 2002; Maryland Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2001-2002; Vermont Georgia Children's Literature Awards, 2003; Georgia Iowa Children's Choice Award, 2002-2003; Iowa Maine Student Book Award, 2001-2002; Maine The Nene Award, 2003; Hawaii Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award, 2003; Oklahoma Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2002-2003; Pennsylvania Prairie Pasque Award, 2003; South Dakota Sunshine State Young Reader's Award, 2002-2003; Florida Volunteer State Book Award, 2004; Tennessee The Power of Un Nancy Etchemendy    What if you could go back in time and alter certain events to change the outcome? Often, when something bad happens, we wish that we could go back and redo the sequence of events leading up to the accident or disaster and prevent it from occurring. Gib Finney, a student at Mitchell Rutherford Middle School, can do just that. Thanks to the Power of Un and a device called the Unner, Gib can go back in time and try to stop the traffic accident that lands him in the hospital with a broken leg. However, what initially seems like a gift, becomes much more than that. The problem is, which events should Gib change? What other disasters could happen as a result? This well-written, time-travel, sci-fi story gives readers a lot to think about as they try to determine whether the Power of Un is really such a wonderful thing to have. 2000, Cricket Books, Ages 8 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Sheree Van Vreede ISBN: 0812628500 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Golden Duck Awards Winner 2000 Middle Grades United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominees, 2002; Maryland Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2001-2002; Vermont Georgia Children's Literature Awards, 2003; Georgia Iowa Children's Choice Award, 2002-2003; Iowa Maine Student Book Award, 2001-2002; Maine The Nene Award, 2003; Hawaii Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award, 2003; Oklahoma Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2002-2003; Pennsylvania Prairie Pasque Award, 2003; South Dakota Sunshine State Young Reader's Award, 2002-2003; Florida Volunteer State Book Award, 2004; Tennessee QPootle 5 Nick Butterworth QPootle5 is an alien from outer space who has landed on Earth on his way to a moon party. Part of his spaceship does not work and he needs something to fix the broken rocket booster. While on Earth, QPootle5 meets a friendly frog, three silly birds and a cat. They all try to help him with his rocket booster, and the group finally solves the problem. QPootle5 is off in space again, ready to enjoy the moon party. This quirky book has charming pictures and a clever pop-up final page. 2001, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $13.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Catherine Campbell Wright ISBN: 0689842430 The Rudest Alien on Earth Jane Leslie Conly Oluu, a child shape shifter from another galaxy, arrives on Earth for an educational field trip. Oluu encounters two Vermont grade school children, Molly and Jack. The curious and mischievous alien follows an insatiable sense of wonder and defies the strict guidelines of the mission. Jack and Molly soon discover Oluu is not what appearances suggest and try to protect their new friend from discovery. A misunderstanding occurs causing Oluu to flee from Vermont and the love of Jack and Molly. When denied transport to her home planet, Oluu realizes that guidelines must be adhered to and the mission is carried out. Taking different animal forms, Oluu makes discoveries about the human and environmental conditions on Earth by traveling around the planet. Finally granted permission to return home, Oluu decides to venture to Vermont to see Jack and Molly one last time. An untimely accident occurs and Oluu must make a choice about her place in the universe. The book is both whimsical and serious, teaching lessons about responsibility and friendship. BIBLIO: 2002, Henry Holt & Company, Ages 10 to 14, $16.95. REVIEWER: Michelle Taylor ISBN: 0-8050-6069-3 Space Case Edward Marshall Pictures by James Marshall Narrated by Christopher Lloyd Animated by Virginia Wilkos, with music by Scotty    The Marshall's work is always a little wild and this funny story is no exception. A space ship lands on Earth and encounters some children in costume who are trick-or-treating. The kids think Space Case is the new kid down the street in a fantastic Halloween costume so they let him tag along. Space Case follows Buddy home and spends the night. His Mom and Dad are surprised to see a spaceship sitting at their breakfast table but they chalk it up to "kids today!" Nevertheless, Buddy finds Space Case very entertaining. Space Case goes to school with Buddy and saves the day when Buddy is called on to share his space project. Space Case pretends to be a robot for Buddy and Buddy gets an A-. Space Case really enjoyed all the Halloween treats and wants to go trick-or-treating again. When Buddy breaks it to him that Halloween is only once a year, Space Case makes plans to head back home. Buddy then tells him about Christmas with all the food, presents and parties and Space Case promises to return for the celebration. Fans of James Marshall will enjoy this adaptation of the book. Weston Woods includes a teacher's guide on the inside cover of the videocassette complete with extension activities. The video is closed-captioned, animated and 13 minutes in length. 2001 (orig. 1980), Weston Woods/Scholastic, $60.00. Ages 4 to 9. Reviewer: Joan Kindig ISBN: 0-78820-754-7 Awards, Honors, Prizes: California Young Reader Medal Winner 1986 Primary California Colorado Children's Book Award Winner 1983 Colorado Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Winner 1983 Washington Space Dog Jack Susan Schade and Jon Buller    Beginning readers will enjoy this rhyming story about a dog that ventures out to other planets in his father's old spaceship. When Space Dog Jack crashes on earth, he meets Earth Dog Bob. Their friendship results in repairs to the spaceship. Jack then leaves Earth with plans to return. The text is simple but the vocabulary is captivating. Words such as "looming" and "gigantic" raise the level of interest and appeal. The colorful, cartoon illustrations support the text and enhance its humor quotient. Futuristic drawings of one-eyed and three-eyed creatures and a dog in a spacesuit will amuse and delight. This is the kind of early reading book that keeps six-year-olds reaching for more. It is well suited as one of the "Hello Reader!" series books intended for the earliest reading level. 2001, Scholastic, $3.99. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Jacki Vawter ISBN: 0439205417 Space Dog Jack and the Haunted Spaceship Susan Schade and Jon Buller    Space Dog Jack receives an urgent message from his pal on Earth to save them from the Blob. They discover that there really was no huge Blob just a projection from what appears to be a haunted spaceship. To get even with this group of nasty aliens, Space Dog Jack and Earth Dog Bob try a little reverse scare tactic of their own. Then they join the neighborhood kids for en evening of trick-or-treating. Not a particularly impressive story and one that probably will sit on the shelf after its initial reading. As with other books in the "Hello Reader" series, this Level 1 offering for preschool to grade 1 opens with a page of advice regarding the development of reading skills. The inside covers list more titles in the series. 2001, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-439-32315-0 Space Guys! Martha Weston     The story is familiar, a young boy awakens and sees a space ship land in a tree. Several aliens decide to pay him a visit. He tells his mom and dad, but they just think he is dreaming and urge him to go back to sleep. The aliens have quite a time and wreak havoc in the kitchen. Will mom and dad believe him when he says that aliens did it? This little boy just might have the evidence to convince them. Pencil and watercolor illustrations expand the fantasy and kids will get a kick out of the mess the outer space visitors make. A "Holiday House Reader," level 1, Reading level: 1.3. 2000, Holiday House, $14.95. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0823414876 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Space Station Peter Lippman A crew of astrodogs is exploring space. When their radar is hit, they don their spacesuits and go out and fix it. Next, they launch their little robot to the planet "Bone" to do some exploring. She makes a video and returns with some samples of rocks and dust. The astrodogs watch the video and are delighted to see a little green alien waving at them. The story is written in rhyme and the dogs are cuddly looking characters. This book has a basic hexagonal shape with different appendages hanging off the pages to give the effect of being a little house or in this case, a space station. It's chunky, so it stands quite well. It has two round windows and a round door with the faces of the astrodogs inside. It even has a pretend lock on the side of the door. It's a sturdy book which can be treated as a toy by younger children but also read to them at a quiet moment. 1999, Workman Publishing Company, $9.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Maria Pereira ISBN: 0761115757 Squarehead Harriet Ziefert Illustrated by Todd McKie    George is a little boy who likes everything square. He has a square head, a square house, a square room and he dislikes anything un-square. Even his dreams are square. Square is what he knows and what he is comfortable with. One night, however, his dream takes him to outer space and from this new perspective he sees the beauty of the curved moon, ringed planets, and spheres, and the big round earth. George wakes the next morning with a new outlook on the world around him. This story seems to be a great jumping off place to discuss how seeing things in a narrow, myopic way can be limiting. Simple, yes, but a simple story that might lead to some complex discussions. McKie's simplistic drawings fit the simple text well. The palette is soft but not terribly vibrant in the beginning. The colors seem more alive as George's eyes really open up to the world outside of his own head. 2001, Houghton, Ages 7 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Joan Kindig ISBN: 0-618-08378-2 StarWars Attack of the Clones Incredible Cross Sections Curtis Saxton Illustrated by Hans Jenssen and Richard Chasemore A book for the Star Wars fanatic, this is a large-format publication with very elaborately detailed cross-section illustrations of the fighting space ships and assorted vehicles from the movie Attack of the Clones. It has been over 25,000 years since hyper drive technology united the galaxy. This technology allows a jump to light-speed without changing the complex mass and energy of the ship. The ships fire energy beams at lightspeed. Hyperwaves allow real-time transgalactic communications. In addition, this technology allows for manipulation of gravity. The Naboo cruiser is the finely appointed starship of Paddme Amidala. It has a powerful shield generator. Starfighters are docked at rechargeable sockets. The cross-sections reveal every aspect of the featured vehicle. Each part is meticulously labeled. A data file includes information about the manufacturer, dimensions, power, and maximum acceleration of the illustrated craft. There are thirteen full spread illustrat