Escape from Planet Yastol

January 1, 2012

Gr 4-6-Josh loves to write stories about aliens and weird planets. His latest effort-"Danger On Yastol"-has even won the county Young Author's contest, and the 11-year-old figures that his writing career is really taking off. However, he has no idea how far off things are about to go. A gang of extraterrestrial thugs zeros in on the tale. Certain humans, they explain, have the ability to tune in to other worlds. When authors think they're writing science fiction, they are actually describing extraterrestrial reality. Yastol, in other words, is quite real-and it is a prime source of a rare mineral that the space gangsters need to further their plot to take over the galaxy. They kidnap Josh and his sister and haul them off to aid in the search. The kids realize that once the aliens get what they want, human hostages will be expendable. The only guide they have to getting home alive is Josh's story. The dangers he imagined are all too true-and the planet holds other perils that his text never mentioned. The fast-moving plot is an affectionate homage to the old-time SF pulps. The action zips from one crisis to another-hidden temples, evil slave traders, bizarre monsters, and treacherous minions menace the heroes on every side. Comic-book-style black-and-white cartoons add to the fun. There is also an interesting subplot about authorship and the creative-writing process. This lightweight, lighthearted adventure will appeal to middle-grade science-fiction fans, particularly reluctant readers.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2011

Josh Higgins, boy author, finds out what happens when he really lives in the world he created.

After winning a local young-writer award, Josh is struck with writer's block and loses hope that he can be a two-time winner. Adding to his misery, kids from school make fun of him, and his little sister Maggie has to step in to protect him. When aliens invade Maggie's play rehearsal and drag the siblings to Yastol, Josh realizes that the planet he invented is both all too real and filled with something these blue, stick-of-gum-shaped, noodly-armed aliens want: aafth, a purple stone, flecked with silver. This stone fuels their weapons and spaceships, and these greedy aliens come equipped with a machine that forces Josh and Maggie to take them to Yastol. A quick pace--punctuated with the siblings' spats, creatures with polka dots, slavers, deserts, bird droppings and Josh's frequent references to his original story--moves this volume along nicely. Every time Josh faces a new villain or challenging environment, he wishes he has written his story differently, allowing young readers to ponder the act of making a story.

Readers ready for longer chapter books will enjoy having some science fiction to choose from and welcome further adventures. (Science fiction. 8-12)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2012
This first book in a new series by the Alien Agent team is still about extraterrestrials, but with a different twist. Young (human) Josh has been writing stories about an imaginary planet, Yastol, and its alien occupants. Now those creatures have become real, and they want to bring Josh to their planet. Funny, quirky, and action-filled, the story will hold reluctant readers' attention.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)