We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey - ADVISABLE

We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey, 256 pages.  Crown Books (Random House), 2019.  $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (attacks)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Earth has been destroyed and only a few hundred survivors have made it off safely in a few prepared ships and tried to make a go of it on Mars.  As the conditions on Mars worsen, they have made contact with Planet Choom, a place about 20 years away, populated by four groups of non-humanoid creatures, and Choom has volunteered to take them in.  After 20 years of hyper-sleep, the group arrives, but now the government has changed hands and Choom doesn’t want them.  The ship’s governing council has managed to talk the planet into taking one family as a test – just for a few days – and Lan, her sister, and her parents are it.  When the cards are stacked against them does Lan’s family have a chance to prove their worth?

This alien framed look at xenophobia is a tense adventure novel that upper elementary and middle school kids will like, even if they don’t get the deeper meaning.  The descriptions of the alien groups are well-crafted and full of interesting details.  Totally great choice for a read aloud.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS