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Galaxy's Most Wanted, Book 1
Common Sense says
- John Kloepfer
- Fantasy
- 2014
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Galaxy's Most Wanted, by John Kloepfer (of the Zombie Chasers series), is a fun, easy-to-read, heavily illustrated middle-grade series start. It's about a group of kids at a science and technology summer camp who, in their zeal to win the camp's prestigious Invention Convention contest, unwittingly attract a small, fuzzy, four-eyed, multi-armed alien named Mim to a nearby wooded lake. Mim seems friendly and even speaks English, but it turns out he isn't all that he seems. The book is written in a style sure to appeal to younger readers, with dollops of kid lingo, lots of amusing fake science, and a requisite amount of very mild gross-out humor (such as an alien beast sneezing mucus on a kid). The story ends on a cliffhanger, enticing readers to return for the planned sequel.
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What's the story?
When Kevin Brewer and his friends at a summer science camp in the woods of Oregon devise an invention to contact aliens -- based on a sci-fi comic book they'd read -- their efforts succeed beyond their wildest expectations. A multi-eyed, multi-armed fuzz-ball extraterrestrial named Mim crashes his small spaceship into a lake near the camp and immediately befriends Kevin and his pals. They're intent on keeping Mim hidden until they can reveal that their alien-contact machine worked and win the camp's prestigious Invention Convention prize. Can the campers keep Mim hidden from the other campers? Will they win the prize? Strange things begin to happen, and suddenly the kids -- and our planet! -- are faced with unimaginable peril. The kids must unite with their fellow campers and counselors in a fight for humankind.
Is it any good?
GALAXY'S MOST WANTED is a zippy, engaging adventure that should appeal equally to boys and girls looking for some silly reading fun. Author John Kloepfer has a good ear for kids' language and attitude, and the abundant black-and-white cartoon illustrations throughout will doubtless hook some reluctant readers.
The plot is completely crazy, but the story's well-told and involving. And the occasional gross-out humor will provoke giggles, such as when an alien beast sneezes, "sending extraterrestrial snot everywhere. TJ stood there covered in slimy mucus." The one real disappointment: The story does not fully conclude but ends on a cliff-hanger. A few pages later, a full page announces, "The Action continues in Galaxy's Most Wanted," and teases the plot of the sequel (Into the Dorkness).
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about inventions. What kind of invention would you like to make, if you could?
What are some of your other favorite books or movies about aliens? Why are alien stories so popular?
What would you do if you and your friends found an extraterrestrial being?
Book details
- Author: John Kloepfer
- Illustrator: Nick Edwards
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship, Misfits and Underdogs, Robots, Science and Nature, Space and Aliens
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date: July 22, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 244
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.