Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wacky space adventure for sci-fi comics fans.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When 9-year-old Bud gets on the wrong bus, he finds himself transported to Cosmos Academy, a school full of alien students from across the galaxy. Earthlings are hated and feared by everyone, so much so that even the location of the planet is kept secret. Bud and his new friends must win an anti-gravity Zero Ball tournament and stay ahead of the suspicious principal if Bud ever hopes to find his way home.
Is It Any Good?
This is a far-fetched but funny sci-fi graphic novel that mixes new-school anxiety with wild adventures across the galaxy. Author and illustrator Mark Fearing employs a cartoony style that complements his goofy humor. Younger readers will enjoy the many types of space aliens and the lightly suspenseful plot.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it feels like to go to a new school (especially if it's full of space aliens).
Is it ever a good idea to hide your true background, because you're afraid of how other people will treat you?
Why do you think other alien species might be suspicious about Earth and its inhabitants?
Book Details
- Author: Mark Fearing
- Illustrator: Mark Fearing
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Adventures , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Space and Aliens
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Publication date: June 20, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 248
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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