Space Hostages (Mars Evacuees) - Hardcover

McDougall, Sophia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062294024 ISBN 13: 9780062294029

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2016

From bestselling UK author Sophia McDougall comes Space Hostages, an intergalactic quest full of humor, adventure, and, of course, aliens! This hilarious middle grade sequel to Mars Evacuees is perfect for fans of Artemis Fowl and packed with nonstop fun.

Young Alice Dare is relieved that at last humans and the alien Morrors are now living peacefully together on Earth. But with an influx of too many Morrors, space is getting a bit tight. To make room for all the Morrors, they've been terraforming a cold little moon in the Alpha Centauri system—and Alice and her friends are invited to the inauguration of the Morrors' new home!

But just as they're approaching Alpha Centauri, the kids are kidnapped by the hostile Krakkiluks and must save themselves—and the Eemala people in the process!

About the Author:

Sophia McDougall studied English literature at Oxford and is the author of plays, poetry, and the Romanitas trilogy (Romanitas, Rome Burning, and Savage City). She lives in London.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 5–7—Alice Dare, the now 13-year-old Exo-Defense cadet introduced in Mars Evacuees (HarperCollins, 2015), continues her interstellar adventures with friends Carl and Josephine and their persnickety and enthusiastic robot tutor, Goldfish. Peace has been made with the Morrors, and the Vshomu are contained. Millions of Morrors now live harmoniously with humans on Earth. As the story opens, Alice and "The Plucky Kids of Mars," along with Thsaaa (a Morror friend their own age), several siblings, and some scientists are invited to a ribbon cutting on the Morrors' new home world. Midway through the journey there, the lobsterlike Krakkiluk capture the ship and take everyone prisoner. The narrative splits to follow Alice's team (who end up on planet Yaela, with enslaved fruit bat-like creatures) and those who remain onboard, trying to outwit the Krakkiluk. The story moves briskly, with a large cast of nonhuman players. Astute readers will note lessons about slavery, friendship, and accepting differences within the human and alien interactions. The frequent use of invented vocabulary may confuse inattentive readers. An occasional damn or God pops up in context. VERDICT Alice is a spunky heroine, and the story combines otherworldly adventures with a kind and hopeful message. This book can stand alone but will be most appreciated where the first volume has found an audience.—Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0062294024
• ISBN 13: 9780062294029
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 448