With solid science and believable family conflicts, this will be very satisfying to readers whose wishful thinking can...
Sixth-grader Jamie Drake has an alien on his cellphone and his parents are splitting up. What more could go wrong?
This middle-grade science-fiction title, first published in England, is reminiscent of the most engaging early Heinlein stories in which realistic boys face traditional problems in a futuristic setting. Here, Jamie’s father, an astronaut on the International Space Station, is preparing to launch a series of probes to Tau Ceti, a nearby star system known to have orbiting planets in the habitable zone (true fact). Jamie, however, has complicated feelings about his famous father, gracefully expressed in Jamie’s candid narration. He’s proud, of course, to have the world focused on his father’s actions—there’s even a video interview at an all-school assembly—but he’d also rather have him home in England for his birthday and to patch up the growing rift in his family. Then the unhappy boy happens upon an astronomer who’s hacked into the Hubble Telescope for her own search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Attempting to charge his phone on her computer, Jamie accidentally intercepts a transmission and captures the Hi’ive. Then there’s a solar flare. His father may be stranded in space. Jamie’s emotions are totally accessible even though his circumstances fall significantly outside the norm. The book assumes a white default.
With solid science and believable family conflicts, this will be very satisfying to readers whose wishful thinking can suspend disbelief. (Science fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: June 26, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5247-1361-4
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A strong start to a new series in the ever-popular Warriors world: Legions of fans will purr.
Increased evidence of encroachment by Twolegs and other ominous signs of change roil the five feline Clans of the lake territories in this kickoff of a new story arc.
In intertwined storylines, a distracting voice in a young apprentice’s head takes on increasingly scary strength, disturbing visions inform an experienced warrior that she’s been chosen by the spirit guides of StarClan to play an unwanted role in impending troubles, and a wise but weakening Clan leader faces being voted out of office due to her age. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Twolegs are tearing up a forested area, poisoning an important stream, and possibly threatening all the established territories of the five Clans. Avid series fans will welcome encounters with older versions of Leafstar, Tawnypelt, and other stalwarts whom they met in previous episodes. Detailed maps labeling the terrain in both cat and Twoleg terms appear at the beginning of the book, along with a cast list of truly imposing length, helping any readers who need reminders to keep track of the dozens of relationships and Clan affiliations. Better yet, expertly mixed in among dreams and discussions that crank up the general level of anxiety, the book has enough incidental action and individual wrestling with personal issues to help the main characters stand out from the furry crowd.
A strong start to a new series in the ever-popular Warriors world: Legions of fans will purr. (Animal fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9780063357068
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Minor perils and likable characters make for a cozy and enjoyable read.
McCullough, who was a Morris YA Debut Award finalist for Blood Water Paint (2018), draws inspiration from her hometown of Seattle in her middle-grade debut.
On the surface, Sutton and Luis could not be more different. Sutton is a logic-ruled robot coder with a passion for hard science while Luis is a fantasy writer who uses his pen to go on adventures that his allergies prevent him from undertaking in real life. Both are from single-parent homes, and when their parents’ nascent romance grows serious, they are thrust together. Their first encounter is a bit of a bust as Sutton and Luis struggle to build rapport, but determined to give one another a second chance, the families decide on a hike. When the children are accidentally separated from the adults, they must learn to work together despite their differences in order to make it to their rendezvous point safely, in the process learning to confront problems and think with empathy and creativity. With chapters switching narrative focus between the two protagonists, their inner turmoil is handled with sensitivity, creating a character-driven tale that doesn’t skimp on plot. While Luis’ issues with severe allergies are explicit, Sutton’s struggles with emotional expression and sensory overload are never given a name, though they are likely to resonate with readers on the autism spectrum. Luis is mixed-race Latinx and white, Sutton is white, and the supporting cast includes Asian and LGBTQ friends and neighbors. The notable representation of female characters in diverse STEM fields is heartening.
Minor perils and likable characters make for a cozy and enjoyable read. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: April 14, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3849-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Dec. 17, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2020
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