In this weak, talky sequel to Space Race (2000), a child forces her parents to make a heartbreaking choice after learning that they’re aliens from another planet. When events in the prequel draw inquisitive investigators from a shadowy government agency, Nesta’s parents Matthew and Alison nervously announce to her that they have been undercover observers of Earth culture since before she was born, but now, to avoid exposure, must escape with her back to planet Ormingat. Understandably dismayed, Nesta declares that she’s staying, and puts her intentions into practice—and her parents to the test—by hiding out until the spaceship’s rigidly scheduled departure. Will Alison and Matthew stay, or go? In order to make their decision as agonizing as possible, Waugh windily establishes their love for Ormingat and their deep yearning to be there, as well as the certainty of lifelong exile on Earth should they miss their scheduled departure. Though young readers may wonder which way their own parents would jump, given similar circumstances, Nesta is hard to sympathize with. Given no reason to stay on Earth beyond one loyal friend and the fact of being born here, she comes off not so much strong of will as narrow of soul. Not to mention self-centered. The combination of advanced but conveniently arbitrary alien science, a series of encounters with a bully that muddies Nesta’s character rather than clarifying it, and space-filling subplots tied to the prequel further enervate this confusing, illogical tale. (Fiction. 11-13)
Pub Date: Sept. 10, 2002
ISBN: 0-385-72964-2
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2002
PLB 0-06-028362-9 Ross reduces a topic as enigmatic and multi-faceted as friendship to didacticism and platitudes. “Friends come in all different sizes and shapes and colors,” the text intones; friends can be big and small, new and old, best and imaginary. The things Ross suggests pals do together—take new experiences, confide troubles, have an adventure, share—will hardly be news to children, and becomes somewhat bald in these pages. The asides are worse: “It’s not the size of your friends that counts. It is the size of your heart” and “It doesn’t matter how many friends you have. . . . It’s quality, not quantity, that counts!” Some people won’t mind the presentation; the bestseller lists are full of such volumes as Ross and Rader’s A Book of Hugs; still, most children will want to dodge the finger-wagging. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: April 30, 1999
ISBN: 0-06-028170-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
Wyatt (The Science Book for Girls, 1997, etc.) adopts an alien’s-eye-view of earthlings, comparing the human body with that of a friendly lifeform from outer space. A cartoon anatomical outline charts the alien Danoid’s first encounter with Pete. Danoid labels hands as primary manipulatives, feet as planet connectors, and knees, multidirectional movement facilitators. Earthling skin, hair, brains, bones, muscles, and organs are measured by these compare-and-contrast standards, delivering information along the way. Sifting through a flurry of text, readers will stumble upon headings marked “Science Fair Ideas,” consisting of simple, at-home experiments such as tracking one’s pulse with a dab of modeling clay or smelling foods that have strong odors. While the concept is attention-getting, and often humorous, the actual information is often overwhelmed by distracting asides, experiments, and reports filed to Danoid’s commander; this compendium may be more worthwhile for browsers than researchers. (diagrams, index) (Nonfiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-55074-511-5
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
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