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George's Secret Key to the Universe
Lucy & Stephen Hawking (2007)
How to get kids interested in black holes and the depths of space... pages from a science text subliminally placed inside a story about a secret super computer that can get you a ride on a comet, with reminders to care for the earth and solve our wasteful ways before it's too late...
Quick, light story but not predictable... great to accompany space/science lessons
(sorry, the cover is much spookier when larger than a freckle...)
Sky Horizon
by David Brin (2007)
I like a book that does the unexpected; as an adult reading juv or YA fiction, things can get a bit predictable (although I really thought ol' Wilbur would be Christmas dinner) and when a book keeps me turning and guessing, that's a good thing.
Sky Horizon isn't the best written book, it has some strange scenes that don't seem to fit -- but when the end is not really the end (what/where is the next book?) even that seems to fit in, and is another unexpected aspect... standing alone, the book has some drama, some intrigue, a good lead character, and aliens. It also brings up many points for discussion regarding our history and future as a planet, our role as a species or member of the universe, or simply as individuals relating to one another. Lots of opportunity for "well, what would you do?" or "what do you think?"
connections: exploration, Columbus/aborigine, ET, Only You...Mankind
Only You Can Save Mankind
(If Not You, Who Else?) The Johnny Maxwell Trilogy
by Terry Pratchett (1992)
The first book in Pratchett's trio, although having already read the 2nd book they aren't connected story wise... Johnny enters a video game to help the aliens reach safety, all while dealing with his tough home life and the Gulf War on tv... many pop culture and "Stormin' Norman" references, but they're not as awkward as in the next book... a little confused in parts, but so is Johnny -- dreaming, dieing, going crazy? -- but ends with strong anti-war/violence message, and good for discussion of who and when is it right to fight? And just who will save mankind?
the thrid book is Johnny and the Bomb (1996)
connections: video games, un-popular kids, divorce, perception of reality, pacifism vs war
