4. Traitors in Space

4. Traitors in Space. Tim Collins. 2025. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy] [3 stars, pick your own path, choose your own adventure, science fiction, space, aliens]

First sentence: The door to your ship closes, and you take your helmet off.

Premise/plot: YOU are in control of your destiny in this 'pick your own path' sci-fi space adventure. YOU are a scientist returning from space--bound for earth--but there's danger on the ship. An alien life form has been detected. It is presumably parasitic. ONE of your fellow crew COULD be the alien. But how do you KNOW who to trust and who to thrust out into space?!

My thoughts: I wanted to enjoy this one. I do think it's perhaps possible to read and enjoy this one. It depends on how YOU read choose your own adventure books. I am methodical. As in with paper and pen in hand, I write down ALL the page number opportunities, I track each one to the end. Go back start again. Cross page numbers off, etc. I don't immerse myself in the story--if there is in fact a story. It's just too mechanical or methodical for me. I don't reread the story heading into new endings.

It didn't work for me because I wanted more from the characters and the story. There are eight characters for YOU to "get to know" to figure out who is trustworthy and who is alien. Are eight characters developed? Nope. Are any of the eight characters developed? Nope. Is that too much to hope for?! Probably. I didn't really expect continuity between all the choices in terms of characters and story. BUT it would have added a level of awesomeness IF there had been a true mystery to solve. IF there were objective facts, truths that stayed true, between ALL the possibilities, then it would have been more like a mystery-mystery. There would have been clues that you could slowly but surely gather as you kept reading. Layers to the story. There's none of that. And that is okay. That's not the book in hand. And that's fine. Expect bare minimum of story and characters. Do expect a gimmicky, fun read with plenty of possibilities.

Despite the description saying TWENTY possible endings, I counted forty-two. At least ten of those were repeat endings using the exact same pages. Again, I think if there had been FEWER characters MORE time could have been spent with those we had AND the endings would have had to have been better.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

41. The Lost Galumpus

The Lost Galumpus. by Joseph Helgerson. Illustrated by Udayana Lugo. 2023. [January] 384 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Getting Mayor Crawdaddy out of his oak tree usually took a catastrophe. Sometimes two. He was a raccon who liked his comforts. "We're being invaded!" I called out, stretching things a bit on account of the snowstorm I was standing in. Possum fur isn't as warm as it could be, especially after dark. 

Premise/plot:  This is the premise that grabbed me, "A time-traveling woolly mammoth finds refuge and rescue at the unlikely hands of a possum and his community of woodland friends." The first sentence sealed the deal. Gilly [a possum] narrates this action-packed charmer. 

Essentially, the story goes like this, a blizzard is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a HUGE SOMEBODY. No one in the woods--including Gilly and Mayor Crawdaddy [the raccoon]--know *what* this "Galumpus" is. The only story they're being told is that this "Galumpus" wished herself there...and that she's too scared to want to go back. Eventually--with a little help from a futuristic robot--everyone learns that time travel has occurred. There's a small window of time to right things...

My thoughts: This one is a bit wild and whimsical. Talking animals make it animal fantasy, yet, the robots and the reality of time travel make it science fiction. Regardless of its classification as "science fiction" or "fantasy" this one is action-packed. At times it can be a bit busy...yet despite it being busy, it held onto charm from cover to cover.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

40. Space Cat

Space Cat. Ruthven Todd. Illustrated by Paul Galdone. 1952. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The little gray kitten had always been the most adventurous member of his family. He had been the first to explore the roof of the apartment building where he lived with his brothers and sisters. There he had sat for hours admiring the face of the Cat in the Moon until his mother had dragged him in by the scruff of his neck. The next day he had managed to maroon himself on top of the flagpole on the roof and the Fire Department had had to be called to take him down.

Premise/plot: When a [cute, adorable, super-curious] gray kitten befriends Captain Fred Stone, he gets a new name, "Flyball," a new home, and new adventures. Flyball accompanies his human to the moon and back. Their adventure on the moon isn't without some peril--good thing Flyball is there to save the day. 

My thoughts: This charming little book was written in 1952. It is always interesting/intriguing to see how the public [writers, readers] imagined space exploration to be like. This one was written, published, and enjoyed long before NASA sent anyone to the moon--or even into orbit. This qualifies both as science fiction and fantasy. It is told through the perspective of the cat. There are plenty of men [military men] talking rockets, rockets, and more rockets. 

I enjoyed this one. The illustrations are wonderful.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

166. Ruby Finley vs. The Interstellar Invasion

Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion. K. Tempest Bradford. 2022. 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ruby loved bugs. She loved the cool-looking ones and the creepy ones and the pretty ones and the huge ones. The ones with six legs and eight legs and a thousand legs and no legs. She loved looking at them and talking about them and learning about them and picking them up. That last one was usually what got her in trouble.

Premise/plot: Ruby Finley, our protagonist, loves bugs and science. When her unidentifiable find--a bug, of course--brings the "G Men" (government men in suits) to her neighborhood, she doesn't quite know what to think. It's strange, strange, and super-strange. But, they leave claiming that the "assassin bug" has been found and collected. But in the weeks that follow, strange things keep occurring in her neighborhood/community. And Ruby and her friends soon start investigating these strange happenings. But this curiosity could lead to great danger....or great friendship....or maybe a bit of both.

My thoughts: The Interstellar Invasion of the title gives a bit of the plot away. Still the "alien" elements of this story are long in coming. Don't expect alien action from chapter two--or even chapter three. Most of the book is just Ruby living her life--loving science, loving her friends, struggling with rules and restrictions. If you come with the right expectations--a science-loving girl working on a science project and hanging out with friends--then this one is an enjoyable [enough] read. (Perhaps readers who share Ruby's interest in bugs will be even more excited.) 

I don't know if the book is setting up for a series or if it's a stand-alone.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

164. The Area 51 Files

The Area 51 Files. Julie Buxbaum. 2022. [September] 304 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "What happens in Area 51 stays in Area 51. Seriously, that's it. That's the most important rule here." This is what my Uncle Anish says when I meet him for the very first time. 

Premise/plot: Sky Patel-Baum, our protagonist, has moved to Area 51 to live with her Uncle Anish. (Her grandmother, who has raised her up to this point after her parents died, is moving into a retirement community.) Her life will never be the same...because there's a whole other way of living in Area 51. She might as well be on another planet...

This one is a mystery science fiction novel. Sky and her new friends (or, to be fair one new best friend and one frenemy) have to solve a BIG mystery in a limited amount of time. The characters lend to speculative fiction classifying, but it is more mystery than anything else.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this quick read. It is illustrated, but not too heavily. I think this one is definitely more mystery than anything else. There are definite suspects, definite clues, and it is all about the process of solving a crime. The premise and setting are interesting. (Plenty of aliens). The humor is a little childish (a fair amount of farting/burping jokes), but remember I am not the target audience.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

43. The School for Whatnots

The School for Whatnots. Margaret Peterson Haddix. 2022. 304 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: When Maximilian J. Sterling was born, his family celebrated by throwing a party for the whole city, complete with the biggest fireworks display anyone had ever seen.

Premise/plot: I do not want to give too much away. Yet, I want to give enough of a tease that YOU want to read this book. What to do???? Max, our hero, is best, best, best, best friends with a girl in his class, Josie. But on their last day of fifth grade, she leaves him a cryptic note: no matter what anyone tells you, I am real. He's puzzled. Of course, she's real. Why wouldn't she be real? What else could she possibly be? So begins his journey to find his best friend despite all odds. For his parents, sure enough, do come in with the, well, we've been keeping something BIG from you your whole life... and Max, well, Max doesn't handle it well. (Which is good for us! Plenty of tension, conflict, rising action!)

My thoughts: I loved this one. I loved, loved, loved it. I always talk big about how I go into "every" book with super low expectations. Nope, not Margaret Peterson Haddix. I always go in with HIGH expectations each and every time. I am rarely--if ever--disappointed. She's just that good.

I loved meeting Max and Josie. The unnamed (for most of the novel) narrator is interesting as well. I could see myself rereading this one at some point. I'd probably appreciate the narrator even more upon a second read. Perhaps be faster at picking up all the clues. This one was just a FUN puzzle to piece together. Great premise. Great carry through. (This isn't always the case with books. Sometimes there's an awesome premise but it just doesn't work all that great in execution.) I do think it's one that I will remember and want to come back to.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

123. Finn and the Traveling Pajamas

Finn and the Time Traveling Pajamas. (The Finniverse #2) Michael Buckley. 2021. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Cold Spring, NY April 11, 2069 Finn watched his friend Lincoln reach into the bag of goodies. That was what they called the collection of technologies they’d stolen from the future. Finn had lost track of what was inside it long ago. All he knew was that when Lincoln took something out of the bag, a huge explosion usually followed. This time he found a shiny silver ball covered in colored lights.

Premise/plot: Finn and the Time Traveling Pajamas is the second book in the Finniverse series by Michael Buckley. In the first book, Finn and his friends (Julep and Lincoln) had to save the universe from the Plague--alien bugs. It was a long, tough battle, BUT the heroes won the battle. Hooray, hooray! 

In the second book, these three face a whole other challenge. They'll be facing off with THE PARADOX, and the person sending them into battle is no other than AN OLD FINN FOLEY. It all starts when an OLD FINN hands him a pair of western-themed PAJAMAS. These pajamas are a time machine...

What could go wrong with the time machine? Almost everything. The adventures and misadventures these three face together as a team are INTENSE and heavy. All actions have consequences...

My thoughts: I was not expecting this one to have such depth and substance. Oh the feels!!! You might start this one thinking it will be a light, silly, goofy, over-the-top ridiculous fluff piece. WRONG, wrong, super wrong. I had no idea I cared so much about these characters until EVERYTHING was put at risk. I don't know that it would be completely fair to call the ending of this one similar to the ending of Avengers Infinity War....but you wouldn't be completely wrong.

I definitely loved this one. I loved every moment of it. I found it packed with SUSPENSE and action. Perhaps I should have seen the plot twists coming. And I *did* a teeny tiny bit. But mostly I didn't.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

115. Abigail Adams Pirate of the Caribbean

Abigail Adams, Pirate of the Caribbean. (Time Twisters #2) Steve Sheinkin. 2018. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "This place is a disaster," Abigail Adams said. "Look at this." She made her mouth into the shape of an O and puffed out a cloud of frosty fog. "It is chilly in here," John Adams agreed, rubbing his hands together. "Not quite ready to be lived in, perhaps."

Premise/plot: Abby and Doc broke history in Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler (the first book in the Time Twisters series). In this second book, there is another hiccup to be fixed. Abigail Adams has disappeared from the White House and she's determined to become a PIRATE. Abby, Doc, Abraham Lincoln, and John Adams will have quite a time of it trying to convince her to come back....

My thoughts: I enjoyed the first book. I did. But I thought the second book was even better! I loved the multiple settings of this one. Having the kids travel to multiple time periods--all in a race to fix history and restore it to what it should be. I loved how the kids (and Abraham Lincoln and John Adams) were all determined to "save" Abigail Adams and the saving went both ways. It was fun. It was silly. It was ridiculous in the best way possible.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

110. Abraham Lincoln Pro Wrestler

Abraham Lincoln Pro Wrestler (Time Twisters #1) Steve Sheinkin. Illustrated by Neil Swaab. 2018. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: Ms. Maybee said, "Okay, guys, let's get out our history books!" The whole class groaned. Doc tilted his head back and started snoring. "Very funny," Ms. Maybee said. "This is going to be fun, trust me. Abby? How about if you get us started." Abby--she's the one who broke history. It was Abby and her stepbrother, Doc. You can thank them later.

Premise/plot: What if historical figures (like Abraham Lincoln, etc.) could HEAR what was said about them? The premise of this fun new series is that historical figures HEAR everything (like HISTORY IS BORING! or I HATE HISTORY) and decide to do something about it in protest. Abraham Lincoln stars in this first time twister. He warns Abby and Doc that trouble could be coming if they can't convince their classmates that history is awesome.... He visits the present day, and they visit the past!

In the present day, Abraham Lincoln decides that he LOVES fizzy drinks and wants to become a pro wrestler. Can the kids convince Abraham Lincoln that he is desperately needed in the past?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. It is definitely written with kids in mind. The book knows how to pack in the humor--I loved Mr. Biddle (the P.E. teacher) traveling to the past and trying to get everyone to do jumping jacks. Plenty happens in this one. I think the pace stays right on target.

It definitely hints that more adventures are coming.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

106. Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox

Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox. Michael Buckley. 2020. [April] 288 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Well, this got exciting pretty quick," Dax Dargon said to her robot partner, Highbeam.

Premise/plot: Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox is the first in a new action/adventure sci-fi novel for children. From Finn's perspective, it all started when he accidentally took his SISTER'S lunchbox to school instead of his own. His unicorn-obsessed younger sister's lunchbox. Chaos, pure chaos happens when it is opened...

But really it all started in a galaxy far, far away. Dax and Highbeam--as a last resort--use an untested device...and it has unexpected consequences...

It will take a diverse  team to save the universe....

My thoughts: It is the first in the series. It has a LOT of characters. It is definitely action-packed and action-driven. 

Definitely written for children. I don't mean that in a snarky way. As in...it's good but not that good because it's written for children. I just mean it was written to be ENJOYED by children. There's a difference sometimes between writing to moralize, instruct, inspire, encourage, uplift....and writing to actually be enjoyed. I think adult reviewers can be so focused on trying to find the LITERARY gems that are destined for award season greatness that we are blind to those books that are just fun. 

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

105. The Starlight Barking

The Starlight Barking. Dodie Smith. 1967. 160 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Not long ago there lived in Suffolk a hundred and one Dalmatians whose adventures had once thrilled all the dogs of England.

Premise/plot: The Starlight Barking is the sequel to One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith. Pongo plays a starring role in this psychedelic animal fantasy. 

The book opens with Pongo, Missis, Perdita, and Prince realizing that their humans are asleep and won't wake up. They soon realize that it isn't just Mr. and Mrs. Dearly and the other humans at Heaven Hall who won't wake up. After traveling to th19e neighboring farm and visiting the General sheepdog, they realize ALL are asleep excepting dogs.  

This in and of itself would be weird and bizarre. But that's just the tippy-tippy-tip of the iceberg. Soon after arriving at the farm, they receive their first communication from their daughter, Cadpig. Not by twilight bark or starlight bark--or any other time of day bark--but by telepathy. And not only can they send out their thoughts to specific dogs--but to all dogs everywhere. But that's not quite enough. All dogs--at least the dogs that have been updated to their new awesome abilities--can also SWOOSH (Smith's word for fast zooming/flying). They can also group-think. Think DOCTOR STRANGE plus STAR WARS. 

So why out of the blue do dogs have these new powers and abilities? And do these new powers come at a cost?

 My thoughts: I have two questions. That's a lie. I'll start with two questions. Question one: how did this get published in the first place in 1967. Was there already a signed contract with Dodie Smith to write a sequel to 101 Dalmatians? Did someone actually read the manuscript and think it was a great book? Were they under the influence when they read the manuscript? (See I told you more than two questions!)

Question two: How does this book keep getting republished? That is perhaps the more important question. The copy I have is from 1970. But looking at GoodRead's all editions, I see reprints in 1970, 1972, 1976, 1988, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2017. The most recent being an audio book. 

 Before I go all spoiler-y, I just want to talk about reader's expectations and SEQUELS. First, authors are under no obligation to the reader--though they may be with the publisher?--to write a sequel in the first place. Second, authors should have the freedom of creativity to write what they want to write and experiment with their style and plot and characters. Maybe Smith really, really, really wanted to try her hand at writing science fiction. BUT. Are sequels the best place to change things up completely and really go all topsy-turvy with content? Shouldn't sequels be somewhat similar to the original? The first book is delightful, charming, packed with adventure, has a cutesy charm. This second book is just...there are no words for how bizarre and crazy it is.

 

I feel the covers of the book are not HONEST representation of the content. I feel that readers might see the cover and think they're getting one thing when in reality they are getting something else.   

This one comes closest maybe to being honest.

So Smith's book in the end comes with a heavy agenda. 

S

P

O

I

L

E

R

What follows is very spoiler-y so this is your last chance to avoid spoilers.

The book turns into a HUMANS ARE GOING TO DESTROY THE PLANET AT ANY MOMENT AND IT IS IN DOG'S BEST INTEREST TO NOT BE ON PLANET EARTH WHEN MANKIND IN HIS STUPIDITY RUINS IT FOR EVERYBODY AND EVERYTHING. 

The question that Pongo and all the other dogs must face is do they want to stay on Earth with their people, with their humans, with their pets, despite the possible risks because they are man's best friend and super-super-loyal or do they want a guaranteed blissful life on another planet/star with a Being that can use mind-control?

 I am all for being against nuclear war--who isn't?--but the book is just BIZARRE.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

15. The City of Ember

The City of Ember (Book of Ember #1) Jeanne DuPrau. 2003. 270 pages. [Source: Library] [futuristic; dystopia; mystery; series book]

First sentence: In the city of Ember, the sky was always dark.

Premise/plot: Lina and Doon have come of age—along with their classmates—and are ready to receive their work assignments. It’s a big day: the mayor himself is there to witness. Doon longs to draw a great assignment like electrician, to perhaps work on the big generator himself. Lina, well, she wouldn’t mind being a messenger and running around the city every day. Could there be a more important job for a kid than helping to keep Ember’s residents in touch with each other?! Doon gets the job messenger; Lina gets a job in the Pipeworks. Eew! Fortunately these two are friendly and eager to trade jobs. If Ember wasn’t a dying city perhaps they’d have little contact with each other. But. Ember is dying. Doon is observant, not gullible, and doesn’t believe the propaganda put out by the mayor. Lina comes to believe Don’s instinct is right. She happens to find a typed official looking document that might be of great importance. The problem? It’s a little chewed up thanks to Poppy—Lina’s baby sister. But she has salvaged some of it and is prepared to solve the puzzle. Could this document be the salvation the community needs? Or will it cost her her freedom or even her life? Doon and Lina will have to work together to solve the mystery before Ember loses its power forever.

My thoughts: I love and adore this book. It’s one of my absolute favorites to reread. I love the alternating narratives. I love both Doon and Lina. I love the glimpses of life in Ember. We are given hints here and there, but not a huge info dump. We learn about this world as we experience it, not a big history lesson. I do wonder what it would have been like to live in Ember when it was new and thriving. I actually think it would be a great video game, to play out a generation or two in Ember...before playing the events of the book. This world fascinates me.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Fast Forward to The Future (Time Jumpers #3)

Time Jumpers #3 Fast-Forward to the Future. Wendy Mass. Illustrated by Oriol Vidal. 2019. Scholastic. 96 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Chase bolts upright in bed. What is making so much noise? Why are his bedroom lights flashing in the middle of the night?

Premise/plot: Chase and Ava have a THIRD adventure in Wendy Mass' newest early chapter book. This brother and sister team have traveled twice into the past. This will be their first jump to the FUTURE. The object the two must return to its proper time is a GLOWING CUBE. What will these two make of the future they see? Will they perhaps even catch a glimpse of themselves in the future? Will they get any more clues as to WHO is behind the suitcase and WHY Randall keeps following them?

My thoughts: I have enjoyed the previous books in the series. This may just be my favorite. I didn't think that visiting the future would be as fun as visiting the past--but it was. I loved seeing some of the advancements--especially in terms of clothes shopping. I definitely would recommend this series to young readers.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Escape from Egypt (Time Jumpers #2)

Escape from Egypt. (Time Jumpers #2) Wendy Mass. 2018. [October 30] 96 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Chase presses his pillow over his head. It still doesn't drown out the noise coming from the suitcase under his bed.

Premise/plot: In the first adventure, the brother-and-sister team of Chase and Eva traveled back in time to King Arthur's court. This second adventure has them traveling back in time--to Egypt. But to what time in Egypt?! These two are still super-new to time travel and much of the book has them trying to figure out the why and the how of it.

My thoughts: I like both books in this series. I love reading time travel stories in general. This is an early chapter series. It won't prove super-entertaining for adult readers. But for kids just starting to read chapter books on their own, it's a fine series to begin.



© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Stealing the Sword (Time Jumpers #1)

Stealing the Sword. Time Jumpers #1. Wendy Mass. Illustrated by Oriol Vidal. 2018. Scholastic. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Sold!" Chase shouts. His younger sister, Ava, hands the cat sculpture to their latest happy customer.

Premise/plot: Chase and Ava are a brother and sister about to embark on quite an adventure. It starts at a flea market when they chance upon an old suitcase. The owner is reluctant because it's a locked case--she doesn't have the key--but when the case opens, as if by magic, for the kids, it soon has a new owner after all. The contents of the case are unusual without a doubt. The two soon find themselves traveling back in time....

My thoughts: Ava and Chase love history AND adventure so they are quite excited that this case found them.

I definitely liked this one. I like time travel stories. I would recommend this one easily--to children. Adults seeking time travel stories should probably look elsewhere. But for adult readers who love, love, love time travel and can't wait to introduce the genre to the children in their lives (their own children, nieces, nephews, etc.), it's worth considering.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers