Tundra Trials by Monica Tesler - ADVISABLE

Tesler, Monica Tundra Trials (Bounders #2), 384 pages.  Aladdin (Simon), 2017.  $17.  Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some danger).

Instead of joining the rest of the Bounders at their next assignment, Jaspar and his pod are sent to a super secret lab to test some new equipment first.  While there, Jaspar and Mina receive implants based on Youli technology that allows them to speak mind to mind, but they are told not to inform their podmates.  Their new mission home, on the Tunneler planet, almost overwhelms Jaspar with its utterly alien food and culture.  The inter-pod competition is really an after-thought for him as he juggles the stress from all of the secrets everyone expects him to hide.

Its nice to see a variety of science fiction becoming available for upper elementary and middle school.  I am showcasing it as much as I can to get the students interested.  The pod dynamics, Jaspar’s responsibilities, the alien territory, and the overall danger mix well to create a well-rounded read.

EL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher