Children of Exile

Children of Exile by Margaret Peterson Haddix, 296 pages

“A twelve-year-old girl raised in a foster village is returned to her biological parents, and discovers home is not what she expected it to be.” I read the second book in this series first, which I would not recommend.  I like the series better now that I’ve read the first book since it explains quite a bit.  This will be a good read for kids who like science fiction and books about relationships.

Binti

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor, 90 pages

“Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs. Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. The world she seeks to enter has long warred with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares. Oomza University has wronged the Meduse, and Binti's stellar travel will bring her within their deadly reach. If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself -- but first she has to make it there, alive.” I liked this so much better than her young adult books.  I wish I’d had time to read this before she came to St. Louis because I probably would have wanted to see her.  As it is, I plan to read the sequels and any other adult books she writes.  I would definitely give this to anyone who likes science fiction.

The Last Star

TheLast Star by Rick Yancey, 338 pages

“The enemy is Other. The enemy is us. They're down here, they're up there, they're nowhere. They want the Earth, they want us to have it. They came to wipe us out, they came to save us. But beneath these riddles lies one truth: Cassie has been betrayed. So has Ringer. Zombie. Nugget. And all 7.5 billion people who used to live on our planet. Betrayed first by the Others, and now by ourselves. In these last days, Earth's remaining survivors will need to decide what's more important: saving themselves . . . or saving what makes us human.” I’m kind of glad this series is over.  I think I’ve realized that I don’t really like adventure stories when so many characters I like die.  However, teens who like dystopian stories will enjoy the series.

The Rules

The Rules by Stacey Kade, 410 pages

Ariane isn’t who she seems to be.  When she was six, she escaped from a genetic lab with the help of her adoptive father, who had recently lost his own daughter.  Ariane has his daughter’s name and life and since the girl had lived with her mother, no one in town knew anything was wrong.  Except that Ariane had some trouble fitting in, partly because of her early upbringing but also because she wasn’t completely human.  Still, Ariane’s life has been okay, as long as she follows all of her father’s rules, designed to keep her safe.  Ten years later, Ariane is finally letting her emotions get the better of her and has decided to break the rules, which could have devastating consequences.  This was a good story with a definite science fiction bent.  This isn’t very hard science.  It reads a little more like a typical high school reality romance with a science fiction twist.  It is a good story that will probably have more girl appeal.

Yesterday's Kin

Yesterday's Kin by Nancy Kress
189 Pages


This short novella tells the story of Geneticist Marianne Jenner and how she is summoned by Aliens that have landed in New York. The aliens had arrived several months earlier but no one knew why.  It is later explained that the planet will move through a virus cloud that could kill everyone on Earth and the aliens are interested in helping. 
There is only 10 months to prevent a disaster.

 A so so story.  Not highly recommended.

Fortunately, The Milk

Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman     101 pages

One morning, after their mother has gone away on a trip, the kids realize that they are out of milk for breakfast so their father decides to go get some.  He is gone for a terribly long time and when he comes back he tells the kids a fantastic story about why he was late, that includes aliens, pirates, a stegosaurus, a volcano, the Eye of Splod, and a Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier, just to name a few.  This is pure Neil Gaiman and is a lot of fun.  A great read for kids who like humor.  Reluctant readers will like that it is short with a lot of white space and illustrations.