We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson LGBTQ+ Magical Realism Realistic Fiction Science Fiction Teen * * * * Stars (Great!) Henry Denton has been abducted by aliens countless times. They perform all kinds of experiments on him, then return him to Earth – naked and inconveniently far from home. He made the mistake of talking about it once, which earned him eternal bullying and the moniker “Space Boy.” Now the aliens have given … Read more
What Goes Up by Katie Kennedy Funny Science Fiction Teen * * * * Stars (Great!) Eddie, Rosa, Trevor, and Brad (among others) are vying for a coveted space on NASA’s Interworlds Agency team. After a battery of tests measuring not only their mental and physical aptitude, the ranks have been thinned. Those who are ultimately selected will undergo a rigorous training program that will teach them how to pilot a spacecraft, survive outside of … Read more
Long Distance by Whitney Gardner Graphic Novel Mystery Science Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Vega’s dads have just moved their family to Seattle, Washington, and they’re sending Vega to camp so she can make some new friends. Vega isn’t super keen on this idea. Although she misses her bff, Halley, Vega doesn’t think she needs any more friends in her life. Camp Very Best Friend is definitely weird. The counselors are creepily … Read more
Felix Yz by Lisa Bunker LGBTQIA Science Fiction Teen * * * Stars (Pretty good) In an experiment gone horribly wrong, Felix simultaneously lost his father and was fused with an alien being from the fourth dimension. They communicate via keyboard – Zyx uses Felix’s fingers to type what vo (Zyx’s and Felix’s grandperson’s pronoun) wants to say. Now, Felix is about to undergo a kind of “surgery” to uncouple him from Zyx, and he’s … Read more
Illusionarium by Heather Dixon Adventure Fantasy Science Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Illusionarium is a fantasy book that seems to take place in early 19th century England (though it isn’t stated). It’s so fast paced and well-written, you won’t want to put it down once you start reading. If you love books, this one is for you! If you don’t like reading much, try this one, and by the end … Read more
Ink and Bone The Great Library #1 by Rachel Caine Fantasy Science Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * Stars (Pretty good) When Jess’ family sends him to train at the great Library of Alexandria, Jess is thrilled that he’ll be able to indulge in his passion for books and learning, though it puts him into conflict with his family’s shady business (which involves smuggling rare books and the black market). The training is difficult and … Read more
The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig Adventure Historical Fiction Romance Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Nix and her father are navigators – they can travel through space and time on their ship, The Temptation, if they have an accurate map which they’ve never used before. Captain Slate, Nix’s father, is desperate to find a way back to the time before his wife’s death – he’ll pay anything, do anything, for a … Read more
The Return of Zita the Spacegirl Zita the Spacegirl #3 by Ben Hatke Adventure Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Zita’s exploits seemed heroic, but now she’s being imprisoned for her crimes. Thrown into a dungeon and forced to work in the mines, she’s desperate to escape, but only if she can take her friends with her. A mysterious benefactor helps her break out and they have to work together to … Read more
Legends of Zita the Spacegirl Zita the Spacegirl #2 by Ben Hatke Adventure Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Zita’s pretty much famous now that she’s saved a world from complete annihilation. But she’s not so comfortable being a superstar, so when a weird little look-alike robot shows up and starts impersonating her, Zita is glad for the break. But when the REAL Zita is ready to return, her doppelganger won’t … Read more
Far from Home Zita the Spacegirl #1 by Ben Hatke Adventure Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Zita and her friend Joseph find a meteor crash site and within the meteor is a device with a big red button that Zita can’t resist pressing. It opens up a gate to another world and Joseph promptly gets sucked in. Zita follows him shortly thereafter, but discovers that Joseph has already been … Read more