We're Not From Here

We're Not From Here
by Geoff Rodkey

Earth has been destroyed and the only hope for humans is the distant planet of Choom.   Despite Choom being inhabited by some very unusual looking creatures, Lan and his family are among the group that choose to make the lengthy trip.   However, once they arrive, the group receives the news that the humans are no longer welcome on the planet.   After much negotiating, Lan's family is permitted to try living on Choom in order to prove that humans are not as dangerous as the residents of the planet believe them to be.  Will they be successful in convincing the creatures of Choom to allow them to stay?

I really enjoyed this book!  Set in the future, this science fiction story is full of action and humor.    Many readers will love this choice from the 2020 - 2021 Maine Student Book Award list!

Author's website: http://geoffrodkey.com/

The Last Human

The Last Human
by Lee Bacon

In a world run by robots, there were no humans left.  At least, that's what they thought.   Then a girl appeared, throwing chaos into the world of three robots.  The robots that discovered her must make a choice.  Turn her in so that she would  meet the same fate as the other humans, or risk their own existence to save what may be the last human? 

This science fiction story is a fantastic pick from the new 2020 - 2021 Maine Student Book Award list!    It's full of twists and turns as a trio of robots come to question what they had always been taught about the humans. 

Author's website: http://www.leebaconbooks.com/

Superfail

Superfail
by Max Brunner
illustrated by Dustin Mackay

Marshall Preston's laser vision is a disaster! For most kids, having the power of laser vision would be awesome, but not for the crossed-eyed Marshall.  Whenever he tries to use his superpower, the wrong things get lasered! While others at his school have gone on to be recruited to superhero teams, Marshall is left with other classmates who also have difficulty with their own superpowers.

After uncovering a sinister plot, Marshall finds himself working with other kids with flawed superpowers, as well as an eccentric retired superhero, to try to stop the villains before it's too late!

 This entertaining story is full of action and many humorous moments! Although not a graphic novel, this book is heavily illustrated with engaging, color pictures on every page.  This is a fun read that many readers will enjoy! 

The Firefly Code

The Firefly Code
by Megan Frazer Blakemore

Old Harmonie seems to be the perfect community.   It is a technologically advanced, safe place where everyone has what they need.   People rarely need to go to the "outside" world.   Mori never questions her community and its ways until Ilana moves onto Firefly Lane.    After spending time with Ilana, Mori begins to suspect that there is something unusual about her seemingly perfect new friend.   Soon she discovers a shocking secret about Ilana, causing Mori and her friends to wonder if Old Harmonie is the perfect place they believed it to be.

What a great book!   Author Megan Frazer Blakemore's story about a futuristic utopian community is full of many twists.    The sequel to this fantastic book, The Daybreak Bond, was recently published and continues the story of the Firefly Five.  This is a great choice for readers who enjoy stories that combine science fiction and friendship issues.   Fans of Gordon Korman's Masterminds series and Margaret Peterson Haddix's book Under Their Skin should definitely give this book a try!

Author's website: http://www.meganfrazer.com/writer/books-for-kids/the-firefly-code/

Beetle Boy

Beetle Boy
by M.G. Leonard

How does someone vanish from a locked room?  That's what Darkus Cutting is trying to figure out. When his father disappears without a trace from a locked room at the science museum, no one has any clue about what could have happened to him.  Many have given up hope on finding him, but Darkus is convinced his father is still alive.

Shortly after moving in with his Uncle Max, Darkus encounters an unusual creature: a very friendly rhinoceros beetle!  He soon suspects that his new pet, as well as the outbreak of rare beetles at a neighboring home, may be connected to his father's disappearance.   With the help of two new friends from school, Darkus takes on the dangerous task of investigating the connection between the extraordinary beetles and his missing father.

Beetle Boy is a great combination of mystery and adventure with an exciting science fiction twist!   It also has many quirky characters and some humorous moments.  I knew little about beetles before starting the book and, as I read it, I wanted to learn more about the unusual beetles mentioned.  This is the first book in a trilogy (the second book is already available) and I can't wait to read more of the adventures of Darkus and his friends.

Author's website: http://www.mgleonard.com/

Video of author M.G. Leonard talking about Beetle Boy:

Once Was a Time

Once Was a Time
by Leila Sales

Charlotte’s father is about to make a great scientific discovery that could change World War II! Unfortunately, a dangerous group of people have found out about it and want it for their own use. When Charlotte and her best friend Kitty are kidnapped, Charlotte makes a choice to save herself and finds herself transported through time from 1940 England to 2013 Wisconsin. Will she be able to adjust to her new life in an unfamiliar place and time? And will she ever find out what happened to her family and friends?

Once Was a Time is an amazing blend of historical fiction, science fiction, and realistic fiction. While World War II and time travel are essential parts of this magical tale, what I loved most about this book was Charlotte's adjustment to life in 2013, dealing with school, family, and friendship situations, while she persisted in trying to find out happened to the family and friends she left behind in 1940. This is a great choice for readers looking for a story about friends and family with a unique twist!

Author's website: http://leilasales.com/

Masterminds

Masterminds
by Gordon Korman

Can a town really be perfect?  With a population of only 185 people, no crime, and beautiful homes, Serenity seems to be a perfect small town.  However, Eli Frieden begins to suspect that Serenity may not be as perfect as it seems after he receives a mysterious letter from a friend.    Suddenly, Eli begins to question everything in his beautiful, calm, New Mexico town.   Is his world real?   What secrets are the grownups hiding from them?  Eli and his friends investigate and find a shocking answer!

After finishing this book (the first in the Masterminds series)  I needed to know what happened next and immediately went online to buy the next one!  Masterminds is full of action, suspense, and many unexpected twists.   I loved how Gordon Korman alternated between narrators, allowing the reader to  get to know the different characters and experience the life of Serenity from various perspectives.   I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series when it gets published in March!

Author's website: http://gordonkorman.com/

Fuzzy Mud

Fuzzy Mud
by Louis Sachar

A “shortcut” home meant to avoid a school bully has two friends battling something even more dangerous: fuzzy mud! Soon after their encounter with the odd looking mud Marshall and Tamaya find themselves battling unusual symptoms.  Where did the mud come from?   And will anyone find a cure for the fuzzy mud that soon spreads all over town?

What an entertaining science fiction book by award-winning author Louis Sachar (Newbery winner for his book Holes)!   It's a fast read that is full of action, mystery, environmental issues, and school struggles.  

Author's website:  http://www.louissachar.com/

Under Their Skin

Under Their Skin 
by Margaret Peterson Haddix

When Eryn and Nick's mother announces she is getting remarried, they are shocked to learn that their new stepfather has two children, Jackson and Ava, that they were never told about.   To make matters more confusing, their mother and stepfather inform them that they will never meet Jackson and Ava and are ordered not to even ask questions about them.  

With the new marriage comes a new home, one that includes bedrooms for Jackson and Ava.   When Eryn and Nick discover their new stepbrother and stepsister's bedrooms are kept locked, their curiosity grows. Finally, they take a chance one day and decide to do some investigating about the mysterious Jackson and Ava.  What they discover shocks them and changes the way they see the world. 

Under their Skin was a book that, as soon as I started reading, I could not put down!   As with her other books, author Margaret Peterson Haddix's newest book is a thrilling combination of mystery, science fiction, and surprising twists!  Fans of her other books will want to read this first book in her newest series.  

Author's website: http://haddixbooks.com/

Saving Lucas Biggs

Saving Lucas Biggs
by Marisa de los Santos & David Teague 

When Margaret's father is sentenced for a crime she doesn't believe he committed, she is forced to go against a longtime family promise to try to save her father's life.    Despite her father's warnings, Margaret realizes that she must use her family's ability to time travel to go into the past in order to keep Judge Biggs, who sentenced her father, from becoming the cruel man he grew up to be.  Will Margaret be able to change the past and save not only her father, but also Lucas Biggs?

Alternating between 1938 and 2014, Saving Lucas Biggs is a wonderful story of family, friendship, and justice.   While time travel is an important detail in this story, I find the book more of a historical fiction, asmuch of the story takes place in 1938.    I recently finished this book with a 5th grade reading group and it was a hit with them!    

The Blood Guard

The Blood Guard
by Carter Roy

Ronan should have known something was up with his family when their last house suspiciously burned down.   At the time, however, there was nothing unusual about his two very ordinary parents.  Sure, his mother kept him busy with gymnastics, judo, and other after-school activities, but even that never made him suspect that his mother was beyond ordinary.   At least, not until the day she picks him up unexpectedly and tells him some shocking news: his father has been kidnapped and she is a member of a secret society called the Blood Guard.  In a flash, Ronan's life changes and he finds himself on the run from a sinister group out to get information that only the Blood Guard knows.  

Full of suspense, action, and adventure, this series will be a great choice for fans of Percy Jackson or The Genius Files.   The story is very fast paced with many unexpected twists.   

Author's website: http://carterroybooks.com/

Space Case

Space Case
by Stuart Gibbs

Imagine being one of the first people to live on a moon colony!   Because of his scientist parents, Twelve-year-old Dashiell Gibson's family is one of the privileged few who get the opportunity to live on the first moon colony.   However, life for Dashiell and the other residents of the Moon Base Alpha colony is far from a dream come true as they live in tiny spaces, eat horrible food, and have very little to do.  Dashiell's boring life is disrupted with the suspicious death of one of the colony's researchers.   Dashiell knows that the death was not an accident, but can he convince the others on Moon Base Alpha that Dr. Holtz's death may have involved foul play? 

Set in the not-so-distant future, Space Case is a fast-paced, entertaining science fiction mystery!   Those who enjoy futuristic science fiction or stories set in space will enjoy this book.  I'm looking forward to the sequel to this story, due to be available in April of 2016!

Author's website: http://stuartgibbs.com/

Zombie Baseball Beatdown

Zombie Baseball Beatdown
by Paolo Bacigalupi

Something strange is going on at the Milrow meat plant!   First, a horrible odor from the plant sends everyone in town running to the safety of their homes.   Unfortunately, it doesn't end there.   After terrifying encounters with their baseball coach and a carnivorous cow, Rabi and his friends realize that something at the plant is causing humans and cows to become zombies!     Will they be able to prove their suspicions and save their town from brain-hungry people and cattle before it's too late?

In addition to the gross moments that would be expected in a zombie-themed story, this book also has many funny moments.  It also addresses more serious issues, including troubles with family, friends, and bullies.   Overall, a fun book with a cover that will attract many readers!

Author's website:  http://windupstories.com/

Book website: http://www.zombiebaseballbeatdown.com/

Wake Up Missing

Wake Up Missing
by Kate Messner

All Cat wants is to be the way she was before her head injury.   The I-CAN treatment center, known for treating head injuries like hers, promises to do just that.   However, shortly after her arrival at the isolated Florida island home of the I-CAN center, Cat grows suspicious of the motives of the doctors.  She soon realizes that she, as well as the other five patients of the center, are part of a secret project.  Will she and the other patients be able escape the center before it's too late?

What a great book!  Wake Up Missing is one of those stories that I started and could not put down.  It's a thrilling combination of science fiction and mystery.   My only disappointment with this book was somewhat of a lack of closure in the end regarding several of the characters.  I was left wanting to know what happened next with everyone.  I'd love to see these characters again in future stories! 

Author's website: http://www.katemessner.com/

Earthling!

Earthling!
by Mark Fearing

Imagine getting on the wrong bus on your first day at a new school!  That's what happened to Bud.   After moving to New Mexico with his father, Bud accidentally gets on the wrong school bus on the first day.   Not only does this bus go to a different school, it goes to a school in outer space!   Arriving at the Cosmos Academy, Bud soon learns that Earthlings are feared by everyone in the galaxy.   With the help of a new friend, Bud hides that he is from Earth by posing as an exchange student.   Unfortunately, pretending to be an exchange student from the planet Tenarian isn't as easy as he thought.  Will Bud be able to find a way to get home to Earth before everyone learns his secret?

With great illustrations and a lot of humor, Earthling! is a great choice for fans of graphic novels as well as readers who enjoy science fiction.  

Author's website:  http://www.markfearing.com/

Book trailer:

The Cloak Society

The Cloak Society 
by Jeramey Kraatz

Alex Knight has spent his life planning to become a supervillain like his parents, Shade and Volt.   Growing up in the Cloak Society, an organization of powerful supervillains, he has been trained to use his own powers to aid the group in gaining control over Sterling City.   After spending his whole life devoted to Cloak, he suddenly begins to question their motives after meeting a member of the Rangers, a group of superheroes who have defeated Cloak in the past.    Will Alex follow in the footsteps of his supervillain parents, or will he leave the life that he has always known?

I had a hard time putting this book down! It is fast-paced and full of action and adventure.   I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!  Readers who enjoy the supervillain theme of this book may also consider reading Joshua Dread, another book about a boy from a supervillain family.

Author's website:   http://www.jerameykraatz.com/

Author interview:

Supervillain Personality Test:

Zita the Space Girl

Zita the Space Girl 

by Ben Hatke 

When Zita and her best friend Joseph discover a mysterious hole in the ground, they have no idea of the wild adventure that lays ahead for them! Inside the hole is a device with a button, and with the press of that button Zita and Joseph find themselves being swept away to a planet of strange creatures and robots. When Joseph is taken by a group of evil aliens, Zita must find a way to rescue him so they can both escape the planet before it is destroyed by a meteor. Will Zita be able to rescue her friend and get off the planet before it is too late?

This is a good choice for readers who like graphic novels and science fiction. It is full of wild adventures, unusual creatures, and great pictures. The shocking ending will leave many readers anxious for more Zita stories!

Author's Website:   http://zitaspacegirl.com/

Book trailer:  
 

Max Quick: The Pocket and the Pendant

Max Quick: The Pocket and the Pendant
by Mark Jeffrey

At 1:59 pm the world suddenly stood still.   That is, it stood still for everyone except Max Quick and Casey Cole.   Although they have never met before, Max and Casey are thrown together in a dangerous journey to uncover the answers to the sudden time freeze.   In a quest that involves ancient books, magic, and mysterious people, Max and Casey uncover more clues to the time freeze as well as haunting details of Max's unknown past.   Will they be able to unlock the answers to the time freeze in time to save the world from being taken over by evil villains?  

 I had a hard time putting this book down!  It is full of action, adventure and unexpected twists.   I think readers who enjoyed Red Pyramid and other similar stories will love this book!  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. 

Book trailer:

The Search For Wondla

The Search for Wondla
by Tony Diterlizzi

Imagine a life underground, being raised by robots and never experiencing the world above you. That is the life of Eva 9, until a dangerous creature destroys the underground home she has lived in her entire life, forcing her to escape to the mysterious world outside her sanctuary. Despite preparation for the above-ground world, Eva 9 must confront danger,unusual places and unexpected creatures as she makes her way to find other humans in her strange new world.

This is a great choice for readers who enjoy fantasy or science fiction. It is full of adventure, a lot of twists, and a great ending that left me anxious for the next book in the series!

Author's Website: http://diterlizzi.com/home/
Book Website: http://wondla.com/