Let's Hear It for Science Fiction    On November 13, 1971, Mariner 9 became the first successful spacecraft to orbit another planet--and this planet was Mars. From War of the Worlds to tales of UFOs and alien invasions, humans have long imagined the possibility of life on Mars and an attack by Martians against humanity. 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 Alpha Centauri 5000 Mark Crilley    In this episode of the burgeoning Akiko corpus, we find Akiko time shifted in to a space ship race with her comical alien pals, Spuckler, Poog, Mr. Beeba and Gax. The many fans of Akiko will be engaged as ever with this rag-tag band, but more surprisingly, a newcomer can begin here also without missing anything. If there is an everyman in graphic novels for youth, it is Crilley's ten-year-old heroine Akiko. Thoroughly likable, with a feminist and multicultural undercurrent, Akiko seems to exist in an already enlightened world, where a young Japanese-American girl assumes that she can claim her place in any adventure. It is recommended that librarians purchase both the graphic novel versions and these chapter books, each is appealing to a different sort of reader and the chapter books have more room for text. Don't be surprised to see these flying off the shelves. 2003, Delacorte Press/Random House, $9.95. Ages 7 to 14. Reviewer: Kate Pourshariati (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-385-72969-3 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: 0-385-32727-7 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: 0-385-32728-5 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: 0-385-32724-2 Alien Astronauts Gary L. Blackwood    It seems man has always been fascinated with the unknown. The continued interest in space creatures and worlds beyond our own is apparent with just a few minutes of television viewing. The popularity of ET, the extra-terrestrial is a perfect example of this obsession. Here we are reminded of history's recordings of strange encounters, including the Roswell, New Mexico sighting. Instructions are given for how to report a suspected encounter. This is one of three volumes in the "Secrets of the Unexplained" series. In this series, we explore the unknown through alien encounters, paranormal happenings and strange forebodings. Each volume in the series includes a glossary, index, reading suggestions, and a bibliography. Middle school libraries will find this a welcome addition to this subject presented in a high interest/low reading ability format. 1999, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, Ages 10 to 14, $19.95. Reviewer: Joyce Rice Among the Barons Margaret Peterson Haddix    In this fourth book in Haddix's "Shadow Children" series, Luke must navigate the dangers that come with being who and what he is. Luke is a "third child" in a society whose laws forbid having more than two children. Feeling relatively happy and safe, Luke is enrolled at the Hendricks School for Boys under the name of Lee Grant, a Baron child whose identity was donated at his death to help third children like Luke. Trouble comes to the school in the form of Smits Grant, the real Lee's younger brother, and Smits' bodyguard, Oscar. Luke must be a brother to a boy lost in grief but unable to publicly grieve. When both boys are recalled from school, Luke meets "his" parents and wonders just why the Grants would want him in their home. What is the Grants' plan for Luke? How does Smits really feel about Luke/Lee? How did the real Lee die, and what role does Oscar play in this twisted family reunion? Readers will love this sequel to Among the Hidden, Among the Imposters, and Among the Betrayed, and will anxiously await another installment from master storyteller Haddix. 2003, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Katie Preissner (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-689-83906-5 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 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 ISBN: 0-689-83905-7 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 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 ISBN: 0-689-83904-9 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 Awards, Honors, Prizes: Golden Duck Awards-Eleanor Cameron Award for Middle Grades Honorable Mention 2001 United States ISBN: 1-58246-033-7 ISBN: 1-58246-032-9 Animal Farm; 1984 George Orwell    In honor of the 100th anniversary of George Orwell's birth, Harcourt has brought together the great English author's two groundbreaking novels for the first time. Reprinted in the hardback edition, "Animal Farm" and "1984" are two "modern classics" in every sense of those terms, asserts Christopher Hitchens in the book's scholarly, yet immensely readable introduction, noting the books are "taught in many schools as examples of moral weight and political prescience...read for pleasure, excitement and instruction." Originally published in 1945, "Animal Farm" is a satire of the Russian Revolution told through the account of a bold struggle, initiated by the animals, that transforms Mr. Jones's Manor Farm into Animal Farm -- a wholly democratic society built on the credo that All Animals Are Created Equal. The subtle evolution leads to a brutal betrayal when totalitarian rule is reestablished with the bloodstained postscript to the founding slogan: But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others. The eerily prophetic "1984" was originally published in 1949. It imagined the future London as a grim city where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. The protagonist, Winston, is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be. Harcourt Inc., 386 pages, $22. Vicki Arkoff (Midwest Book Review, "Vicki's Bookshelf" column, August 2003) Best Books: Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; California ISBN: 0-15-101026-9 Appleseed John Clute    Best known as the co-editor of The Science Fiction Encyclopedia, John Clute creates a literary triumph with this futuristic tale. Weaving allusions to other SF works throughout his creation, Clute provides a masterful setting sure to please die-hard readers of classic SF. Nathanael Freer is a trader hired to travel to the planet Eolhxir to deliver industrial nanoforges. On his ship Tile Dance, with the help of his AI companions, Freer travels to Trencher where the problems begin. Disruptions in data start to occur, a "data plague" begins to threaten the galaxy, and the lethal Opsophagos of the Harpe seems to be on his trail. Through the course of the novel, Freer discovers that Tile Dance has a crucial role to play in the universe and in his destiny, aiding in awakening Minds that will change Freer's reality forever. Named a New York Times Notable Book, this novel proves Clute adept at creating a high-tech world rich with artificial intelligence and philosophical underpinnings. The complex language instills a focus on Clute's use of words to highly involve the reader in Freer's world. The presence of "Uncle Sam" and "Johnny Appleseed" add character to the novel and enrich as well as contradict the humanity found within. Although a glossary at the outset would be helpful for the general reader, acknowledgements at the end of the novel list some of the sources of Clute's "borrowings" from other works. The complexity of the language, the numerous sexual references, and the use of so many allusions make this tale most palatable for the adult SF aficionado and the reader looking for a challenging and rewarding work. Category: Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror. KLIATT Codes: A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. 2001, Tor, 337p., $14.95. Ages 17 to adult. ISBN: 0-7653-0379-5 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 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 ISBN: 1-8908-1725-2 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 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 ISBN: 1-5514-3161-0 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: 0-8225-0080-9 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 Brainboy and the Deathmaster Tor Seidler     Twelve-year-old Daryl Kirby is still in shock from the loss of his entire family when his disreputable orphanage roommate Boris cons him into trying the computer that sits in their bedroom. It only does games, but Daryl is very good at games. His wins result in a whirlwind adoption by Seattle's resident computer-genius billionaire. Shades of Bill Gates? You bet. But this billionaire has futuristic science on his mind, and wafts Daryl off to a mountain eyrie in the Cascades where he joins a select group of other young orphaned geniuses. Daryl immerses himself in brilliant science experiments, but there seems to be a problem developing with his memory . . . . Seidler has always been superb with animals (A Rat's Tale, et al) and his first foray into science fiction is an equally rousing story. For this one, he owes a few debts to Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, not to mention Aldous Huxley--and after his dispatchment of the villain Keith Masterly, he may never be welcome in Microsoft country. But hey, Seidler lives safely in New York City. And this is a really terrific read. 2003, Laura Geringer/HarperCollins, Ages 10 to 14, $16.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0-06-029181-8 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: 0-399-23637-6 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, Ages 11 to 14, $15.00. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross 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 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 ISBN: 0-8050-6268-8 The City of Ember Jeanne DuPrau    Two children, Lina and Doon, trade jobs on Assignment Day, so that Doon can work in the Pipeworks underground, and Lina can become a messenger. They are both concerned about the decay they see all around them in the city of Ember--more frequent power blackouts, dwindling supplies of canned goods from the storerooms--and their jobs reveal that things are getting worse, fast. When Lina discovers a partially destroyed ancient parchment, the two of them piece together directions that lead them out of the city. With Lina's baby sister in tow, they make their way through the Pipeworks to a hidden cache of boats (""Boat," repeated Doon. "What does that mean?""), launch themselves on the swift-moving underground River and eventually find themselves outside of Ember in a place that's "green...and very big. Light comes from the sky." They've escaped from their dying city, but they are able to send a message back in hopes that the rest of the population will follow them to freedom. DuPrau's fantasy is well paced, with just enough mystery and child-centered adventure to keep readers engaged. Nine- to twelve-year-olds should enjoy working out the puzzle of what and where Ember is. While this is not a complex fantasy on the level of Pullman or Wynne Jones, it should have lots of child appeal. 2003, Random House, $15.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Caroline Parr (Children's Literature) The City of Ember Jeanne DuPrau    Lina and Doon have know each other all their lives yet have not expressed their hidden belief that there is something better in the world than their home in Ember. Ember is a place of darkness, where the streetlights are the only light that can be found. Children attend school until they are 12 years old, then are assigned work tasks. Ember is being threatened by shortages of everything from light bulbs to food. The electricity created by an ancient generator is failing and soon the entire place will be without light. Lina's grandmother accidentally uncovers instructions on how to escape from the dark world, and it is up to Doon and Lina to find the way out. But when they discover the mayor has been hoarding food, he turns the city guards on them and they flee, using the instructions they found to the world of light. This is a dark and disturbing story probably best suited for older readers. It has a Tolkin feel to it, and outlines a world of impoverishment and practicality that lacks imagination and thus is disturbing. Excellent read. 2003, Random House Inc, Ages 8 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Jennifer-Lynn Draper ISBN: 0-375-82273-9 ISBN: 0-375-92274-1 ISBN: 0-375-82274-7 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: 0-689-84263-5 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 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 ISBN: 1-886910-42-1 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: 1-5706-4393-8 Dragon and Thief: A Dragonback Adventure Timothy Zahn    When Draycos' symbiotic host is killed in a space battle, Draycos knows that it is only a matter of hours until he too dies. Fortunately for Draycos, he is discovered by Jack and is able to form a successful bond with him. Jack isn't too thrilled about hosting Draycos at first, since Jack has his own problems. He was framed for theft and has been hiding ever since his Uncle Virge died. Guided by a computer programmed to simulate his Uncle Virge, Jack has been surviving by plundering downed ships. Shortly after meeting Draycos, the authorities show up to arrest Jack. With Draycos's help, Jack escapes and they set off to find who framed Jack and clear his name. Zahn creates a wonderful world where a fourteen-year-old and a dragon can just as easily pilot a space ship as entertain a potentially dangerous crowd with an improvised juggling act. The plot moves along well, and most, if not all, of the action, fits well with the story (unlike many science fiction novels where the action seems to be window-dressing). Both Draycos and Jack are well-defined and multi-dimensional characters that interact well together. "Dragon and Thief" is a gripping story that is difficult to put down and would be a good recommendation for any child interested in either science fiction or fantasy. 2003, Tor, $24.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7653-0124-5 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 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 ISBN: 0-385-72964-2 ISBN: 0-385-90060-0 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: 0-8368-2770-8 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 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 ISBN: 0-8027-8764-9 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 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 ISBN: 0-385-32254-2 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 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 ISBN: 0-395-57511-7 The Far Side of Evil Sylvia Louise Engdahl    This science-fiction morality tale, first published in the 1970s, has been updated and revised for this release. Elana is an agent for the Federation Anthropological Service, whose goal is to study worlds of Younglings--less advanced civilizations. Elana, fresh out of school, is assigned to a dangerous mission on the planet Toris, a world on the brink of nuclear war. Research has determined that planets at this critical stage will either destroy themselves or else focus their energies on space exploration. What is not known is just the exact reason that some worlds survive while others perish. Once you swallow this wholesale assumption, this is an interesting, complex read that will appeal to science-fiction lovers 14 years and older. Elana, along with fellow agent, Randil, are integrated into Toris society and charged to secretly investigate without interfering in events, which is the Federation's number one rule. It is a rule, however, that Randil is unable to follow after he falls in love with a beautiful Youngling named Kari. Randil's delusions of grandeur nearly precipitate the annihilation that he hopes to avoid. 2003 (orig. 1971), Walker & Company, $18.95. Ages 14 up. Reviewer: Christopher Moning (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-8027-8848-3 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: 0-689-81820-3 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 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 ISBN: 0-7636-1726-1 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 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 ISBN: 0-525-46492-1 Five Alien Elves Gregory Maguire Illustrated by Elaine Clayton    'Twas the night before Christmas, and the spaceship Loiterbug, carrying five aliens from the planet Fixipuddle, has crash-landed behind a barn in the small town of Hamlet, Vermont. The Fixipuddlings, having misinterpreted an Earthling Christmas movie picked up by their scan-o-matic, disguise themselves as elves and set out to save Earth from the evil dictator Santa Claws ("He knows when they're sleeping! He knows when they're awake!"). When they meet Mayor Grass, who is dressed as the jolly old elf, they kidnap him in the name of all that is just. The whole town goes into panic, but, as in the author previous Hamlet books, Miss Earth's elementary school class saves the day. The children are a delightfully wacky bunch, from Lois Kennedy the Third, who is determined to get herself elected "Empress" of her club, the Tattletales, to Sammy Grubb, who believes wholeheartedly in Bigfoot. The sharp writing provides comic twists at every turn, and Maguire never misses a beat. Fans of the earlier books will gobble up this installment, and new readers will be drawn to the sheer kookiness of it all. Recommend this book to readers who can't get enough of Louis Sachar's "Wayside School" series. 1998, Clarion, Ages 8 to 13, $15.00. Reviewer: Kathleen Kelly Invaders from Outer Space: Real-Life Stories of UFOs Philip Brooks    If you are a science fiction buff or have read about UFOs, these stories will not be new. They are among the three best-known sighting and alien-contact stories. The first is a retelling of the Roswell, New Mexico, saucer crash landing including alien crash victims; the second is the story of Betty and Barney Hill's kidnapping by a group of aliens; and the third relates to another alien encounter in Socorro, New Mexico. All of the stories are illustrated with photographs and full color drawings. The introductory material sets the stage and the end matter about the "Men in Black" may raise the hairs on the back of readers' necks. There is some factual material and a glossary. A good selection for kids who can't get enough of Star Wars and other science fiction-and a really good choice for adults who may be learning English as a second language. A Level 3 "Eyewitness Reader." 1999, DK, Ages 7 to 9, $3.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot 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 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 ISBN: 0-385-32801-X 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: 0-590-47704-8 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. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-590-47704-8 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 Awards, Honors, Prizes: Golden Duck Awards-Hal Clement Award for Young Adults Honorable Mention 2001 United States ISBN: 0-689-83979-0 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: 0-689-84751-3 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 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 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 ISBN: 0-689-83118-8 Jimmy on Ice Adam Beechen Illustrated by Mark Marderosian    If kids are familiar with the Nickelodeon program, "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius," this book will probably have more appeal. It is a hot summer day and Jimmy decides to help his friends cool off. He sends a rocket full of Sun block at the Sun. It cools off fast, first with a light snow, which gets deeper and the weather gets colder. It turns out that Jimmy made a slight error--one that could cause a second ice age. The solution is a smelly one and will certainly appeal to the boy fans. A Level 2 book in the "Ready-to-Read" series. 2003, Simon and Schuster, $3.99. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-689-85294-0 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 0-8368-2775-9 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 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: 0-06-008049-3 ISBN: 0-06-029412-4 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 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 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 ISBN: 0-439-08758-9 The Lost City of Faar D. J. MacHale    Bobby Pendragon and his Uncle Press journey to the aquatic world of Cloral. There they meet Spader, who, upon the death of his father, finds out that he is a traveler like Uncle Press. Travelers journey to different dimensions to avert catastrophe on various worlds. Spader inherits a map that leads them to the lost city of Faar, which may be the only place that can help avert a disaster facing the citizens of Cloral. Bobby, Press, and Spader journey to different worlds and have different adventures to thwart the plans of Saint Dane, an evil Traveler. Meanwhile, back on earth, Bobby's friends must figure out how to keep a student who has discovered Bobby's journals from revealing Bobby's secret. The story of Bobby and Uncle Press is a typical science fiction opera, complete with elaborately described, yet scientifically implausible worlds. There are lots of action scenes, but not a whole lot of story to justify them. In addition, there are modern references to movies and games that will not be easily recognizable to future readers. The events surrounding Bobby's friends interrupt the flow the story and do not advance the plot. Almost four hundred pages is simply too long for a B-story science fiction series. The Lost City of Faar is part two of the "Pendragon" series. 2003, Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, $5.99. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7434-3732-2 Monday Redux Robert Favole     In an excellent melding of reality and science fiction, Rego witnesses a horrific school shooting spree carried out by a boy he has grown up with. Realizing that the boy had warned him of his plans, Rego is given the chance to travel back through time and relive the day, but fails in his efforts to prevent the shooting by himself. Seeing the terrible consequences of his inaction, and then wrong reaction, Rego gets yet another opportunity to prevent the tragedy. The story includes background news commentaries that give readers a chance to evaluate the way events can be interpreted, and often misinterpreted, by outsiders. Most importantly, this thought provoking book will give teens a springboard for discussion of the causes school violence, and the best ways to prevent it. Rego is a likeable character with enough teen angst and personal foibles to make him entirely believable. The dialogue seems right on target. The parents are rather stereotypical, but probably representative of the way many teens view adults: out of touch, and most blundering in the their efforts to help. This fast paced and compelling book will give teens a lot to think about. 2003, Flywheel Publishing Company, Ages 12 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Leslie Rounds ISBN: 1-930826-11-7 Moo Cow Kaboom Thacher Hurd    One night on Farmer George's farm there is a "Kaboom!" His Moo Cow has been "cownapped" by a space cowboy and taken to a faraway galaxy in time for the Inter-Galactic Rodeo. Moo Cow's astounding performance at the rodeo causes the aliens to ship her back into space. Lost at first, Moo Cow spots Farmer George's farm, bails out, and with another "Kaboom!" is soon happy to be home again. The slight story is enlivened by the rather rough-hewn illustrations of characters created with heavy black outlines filled with scumbled colors and bits of collages of machines. The design is hectic, filled with action. The three pages of Moo Cow's fandango with swirling red cape is a visual delight. 2003, HarperCollins Publishers, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-06-050501-X ISBN: 0-06-050502-8 The Mystery of UFOs Chris Oxlade    Part of the "Can Science Solve" series, this investigative picture book explores the possibility of extra-terrestrial visitations and debunks the most unlikely of UFO sightings. Most of the explanations are meteorological, but the author also acknowledges the possibilities for close encounters of the first (UFO) and second (physical evidence) kind. A brief, but current bibliography and extensive vocabulary help make this a great investigative tool for future Scullys and Mulders. 1999, Heinemann Library, Ages 10 to 12, $24.99. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross 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: 0-8109-4304-2 The Night the Heads Came William Sleator    Leo and Tim don't really believe stories of abduction by aliens until it happens to them. The aliens who abduct them, however, are actually trying to escape from different aliens who.... Anyway, you get the picture. Sleator is a master storyteller, and this book is just real enough to be thoroughly creepy.. 1996, Dutton Children's Books, Ages 10 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Judy Silverman The Nose From Jupiter Richard Scrimger    Poor Alan! He's in a hospital room with no idea of how he fell into the ravine, his best friend thinks he's nuts, his father came all the way from Vancouver when he heard about Alan's accident but has trouble telling Alan he loves him; his cool, detached mother is neither cool nor detached when she's in the same room as his father, and the little creature from Jupiter is still living in his nose! The story of how Norbert, the tiny space traveler, got into Alan's nose, and what he does while he's living there, makes this one of the funniest books to come out in quite a while. But it's not only funny. Norbert is a good influence on everyone he talks to, even teachers. Recommended. 1998, Tundra Books, Ages 8 to 12, $7.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman Orbiters Julie E. Czerneda, Editor Illustrations by Jean-Pierre Normand     Introduced by award-winning author David Brin, this "Tales from the Wonder Zone" science fiction collection emphasizes "twin themes of spaceflight and biology." The first four stories are short, uneven in quality, and generally simple. Eric Choi's "Just Like Being There" tells of a young man whose remote "Tele-Probe" exploration goes wrong, just as his father becomes seriously ill. The narrative lacks conflict, instead focusing on Keith's recognition of his father as a hero. Annette Griessman's "Space Divers" details the shared experience of the crew of a space ambulance, and the friendship they forge on one tricky mission. Mark Canter's cleverly told "Dragonfly" is the imaginative tale of a nearly fatal planetary exploration, performed by a tiny alien on our own planet. "Tether," by Jean-Louis Trudel, describes three astronauts' spacewalk and an attack by a dangerous life form. The fifth story is nearly a novella; "A Strand in the Web," by Anne Bishop, is an engaging futuristic tale, in which humans practice Atonement for ecological crimes against the universe. Willow and her fellow Restorers live in an aging city-ship and learn to repopulate planets to permit environmental balance. Bishop thoughtfully explores the tragedy of extinction, the distinction between scientific work and Divine Creation, and the subtle deepening of a friendship into romance. Bishop has also created a believable and solid world around her characters --one of the most important jobs of a sci-fi writer. This story might prove useful for classroom discussions of environmental issues and human responsibility toward natural settings. 2002, Trifolium Books Inc, Ages 9 to 12, $17.95. Reviewer: Julie Govan ISBN: 1-55244-020-6 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 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 ISBN: 0-525-46918-4 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 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 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 ISBN: 0-8126-2850-0 Putting Up Roots Charles Sheffield    Fourteen-year-old Josh packs a load of emotional baggage for his journey to the Messina Dust Cloud. His mother abandons him, his doting aunt is dead, and his autistic cousin, Dawn, has become his responsibility. The future world adults are weak and selfish with a dustbowl vision of parenting. Instead of riding the rails, these two young teens take a space node network in search of opportunity. Greed, addiction, and exploitation create a complex breadth of issues without much depth. Josh's insecure heroism waxes and wanes like the tiny moon of planet Solferino. He and Dawn take their place among the gambling orphans and runaways working on the planet. After growing up an only child, he must learn to succeed in a group. Science fiction and mystery do tag team genre in this story of broken homes and space exile. Available in two different covers: one for techies and one for tweens, it is Sheffield's third book in "A Jupiter Novel" series. 2003 (orig. 1997), Starscape/Tom Doherty Associates, $5.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Tina Dybvik (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-765-34569-2 ISBN: 0-312-86241-5 Singing the Dogstar Blues Alison Goodman    Seventeen-year-old Joss is a university freshman attending the Centre for Neo-Historical Studies. When she is not hanging out in bars playing harmonica, she is part of an elite group who learns about the past through time travel. As if that were not enough to occupy her time, the first alien ever admitted to the program chooses to be her partner. Mavkel turns out to be a likeable alien who does not feel much stranger than a standard college roommate. Meanwhile, Joss is determined to figure out the intended victim of a hired assassin, has a strained relationship with her mother, does not know who her father is, and is able to get information from underground cyber spies called Spyders. Joss is a very busy young woman that realistic fiction fans might relate to better than science fiction buffs. Much more time is spent on parents and school administrators than on detailed descriptions of spacecrafts and other planets. The complex issues of time travel and genetic engineering are presented, but not in detail and not in a way that engages to reader to think further about these monumental questions. Originally published in Australia, there is some slang that goes undefined in this uncorrected proof. This title is recommended for collections serving high school students who are required to read a science fiction title but who are not interested in a lot of hard science. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P J S (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Viking, 208p, $16.99. Ages 12 to 18. Melissa Potter (VOYA, February 2003 (Vol. 25, No. 6)) ISBN: 0-670-03610-2 Storymaze 1: The Ultimate Wave Terry Denton    The first in the "Storymaze" series, this delightful novel about three children and their wacky adventures is sure to capture the attention and the imagination of children. The story is presented in a half-novel, half-comic book format -- paragraphs of text are interspersed among crazily drawn comic book strips. Nico, Claudia, and Mikey are off to find some excellent surfing. Much to their dismay, they arrive at the beach to find that there is no surf. As they are arguing amongst themselves, a strange creature from another planet crashes into the ocean beside them. Icon, as he calls himself, has come to surf the legendary waters of Ithica. The reader quickly learns that Icon is a runaway prince from Duryllium who is trying to stay one planet ahead of the Black Raiders (minions of his evil twin brother). The adventure that follows spans many planets and even more dimensions as the four friends search for the Ultimate Wave. Children will enjoy reading the narration from "The Narrator," including many asides and puns. For example, he describes his schooling at Grade 4 of Narrator's Elementary School. His teacher was "very hairy and she did have a laser-like stare which could turn you into a pile of smoking ash." As this definition fits that of a Giant Cyclops, "if you're wondering what a Cyclops looks like, look at your Grade 4 teacher." Though this story serves little educational value, it would make a fun addition to any classroom library. 2003, Allen & Unwin, $5.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Christine Amyot (Children's Literature) ISBN: 1-86508-378-X Things Not Seen Andrew Clements    What if you woke up one morning and found you were invisible? This is the dilemma Bobby Phillips faces--being invisible changes his whole life. If he leaves the house, he either has to cover himself completely, or wear nothing at all. His parents are having a hard time explaining his extended absence from school. He has to keep his condition a secret, and this causes even more problems. When Bobby meets Alicia at the library, he believes he's found a friend who will accept him as he is. Alicia is blind, so his invisibility doesn't matter to her--once she believes he is telling her the truth. Their growing friendship and the mystery concerning Bobby's condition make for an absorbing, imaginative tale. 2002, Philomel Books, Ages 12 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Joanne Draper Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Lone Star Reading List, 2003-2004; Texas Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2004; Illinois ISBN: 0-399-23626-0 The Time Pincher Ruth Koeppel    If kids are familiar with the Nickelodeon program, "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius," this book will probably have more appeal. One of Jimmy's classmates, Cindy, states in her oral report that Marconi invented the radio in 1870, and Jimmy is distressed because he points out that Edison did not harness electricity until 1882. Jimmy gets his teacher's permission to leave so he can prove his point. He has his time machine travel to Menlo Park and brings Thomas Edison into the present, who then tells Cindy that the radio was not invented until 1893. Then the story takes a strange turn as Edison and the teacher decide to see the town. Jimmy's fiddling with time makes the electrical devices disappear, and he spends the rest of the story figuring out how to separate this odd couple and return Edison to his own time. A Level 2 book in the "Ready-to-Read" series. 2003, Simon and Schuster, $3.99. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-689-85293-2 Too Many Time Machines: Or, The Incredible Story of How I Went Back in Time, Met Babe Ruth, and Discovered the Secret of Home Run Hitting Mark Alan Stamaty    Roger is annoyed with his Little League teammates. Now that they've won their second championship, baseball practice is the last thing anyone's interested in. They would all much rather be scooting about in their time machines, visiting Michelangelo and Catherine the Great and other historical figures. Roger doesn't know what to do until his father makes a suggestion. Why not visit "the most famous [baseball] player ever," Babe Ruth? Excited by the prospect, Roger hops in his machine and heads back in time, ultimately striking a deal with the Babe that satisfies the baseball great's curiosity about history and Roger's baseball energy. But where is Roger off to after he wins his next baseball match? The rough quality of Stamaty's full-page images will appeal to comic book lovers; the clever plot is sure to attract science fiction readers and baseball fans. 1999, Viking, Ages 8 to 12, $13.99. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green Too Many Time Machines: Or, The Incredible Story of How I Went Back in Time, Met Babe Ruth, and Discovered the Secret of Home Run Hitting Mark Alan Stamaty    In this graphic novel by a political cartoonist, full-spread comic book-style illustrations show and tell the story of Roger who travels back to 1927 to get coaching from the Babe. This book is for baseball lovers who would rather gaze at pictures than read their way through a text. It is imaginative sports science fiction. 1999, Viking, Ages 8 up, $13.99 and $6.99. Reviewer: Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-670-88477-4 UFOs and Aliens Colin Wilson    Part of the "The Unexplained" series, this reference book is rich in the images and lore of UFOlogy. In the introductory material, the author tells of his own interest in aliens and UFOs, dating back to the time that a friend in his hometown saw a saucer-shaped object hovering by her window. We learn of historical records as far back as 1500 BC that may refer to UFOs-accounts among far-flung peoples of gods arriving from space. From crop circles to the SETI project, they're all in here, including some of the more notable hoaxes. It's an informative and thought-provoking compilation of incidents, theories and speculation on a fascinating theme. Index included. 1997, DK Publishing, Ages 9 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami Vacationers from Outer Space Edward Valfre    This is a book parents will enjoy as much, and perhaps even more, than their young children. Many of us will remember taking vacations with our own parents, trapped in the backseat of the car with nothing but our own imaginations for amusement. Edward Valfre used his imagination to fire up this story of an adventure with aliens. Every reader will put himself in the place of the child who transforms himself into a space buckaroo while stuck in the back seat on a long ride to an isolated observatory in the mountains. When the "deadly space orbs" are in hot pursuit of the spaceship, which looks a lot like a family sedan, the space buckaroo hits the hyperdrive button which, strangely enough, also tunes in a country-western radio station. Many of the author's photographs are of unusual or bizarre roadside attractions, but others are of ordinary sights turned into something astonishing by imaginative photography. 1997, Chronicle Books, All ages, $15.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford The Young Oxford Book of Aliens Dennis Pepper     With Star Wars, Star Trek, and Jurassic Park leading the way, science fiction is hot among children. But while many young reader's titles in this genre are unremarkable, with many mass produced, unsophisticated works, this book is refreshingly different. It is an excellent compendium of short stories penned by a wide variety of authors, including such luminaries as Arthur C. Clarke and Harry Harrison. All manner of monsters, aliens, and space invaders is included here. There is much to enjoy, including the story of the invading space spiders. When Stuart Blake woke one morning, he was startled to find himself surrounded by spiders, including some of the gigantic variety. He quickly realized that they were not the typical arachnids he was used to, but the vanguard of an invading force planning to turn Earth into their own vacation colony. Unfortunately for Stuart and his family, there's no escaping the web these aliens weave. This is a worthy book, with plenty here for both adults and young readers to relish. 1998, Oxford University Press, Ages 13 up, $22.95. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Updated 11/7/03