Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

The year is 2156. Humans have long since overpopulated earth, and now live in domed colonies throughout the solar system. While space travel is common, a spacecraft filled with children recruited to save the galaxy from evil space creatures is not.

In Wesley King’s latest novel, The Incredible Space Raiders From Space, Jonah Hillcrest wakes up aboard the Fantastic Flying Squirrel to discover that he is a special recruit to the proud ranks of Incredible Space Raiders. Young, courageous, and pure of heart, the Incredible Space Raiders are humanity’s best hope to fight the Entirely Evil Things who live in a starless part of the galaxy called the Dark Zone. Six teams were sent before the Fantastic Flying Squirrel to fight the EETs. Each one disappeared without a trace.

Homesick, overwhelmed, and more than a little scared, Jonah soon realizes that this terrifying mission may be the least of his worries. Branded by his crew mates as a spy, Jonah tries to prove himself by volunteering to search for missing raiders in the unknown areas of the ship. As villainous pirates and a phantom “Shrieker” roam the halls, Jonah becomes certain that he was selected by mistake. And although his survival depends upon it, success as a raider also means that he will likely never return to his home and family.

With evil space creatures, a mysterious space princess, and an ingeniously imagined spacecraft, The Incredible Space Raiders From Space is Star Wars for the pre-teen crowd. King’s keen ear for schoolyard humour nicely counterpoints comic-book action and engaging plot twists. An open-ended conclusion hints at the possibility of a series that will convert even the most reluctant sci-fi readers.