The Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum and Lavanya Naidu - OPTIONAL

The Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu, 296 pages. Delacorte (Random House). 2022. $15 

Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Sky Patel-Baum is sent to live with her uncle Anish in Area 51, where the first and most important rule is, "Whatever happens in Area 51 stays in Area 51." Plenty seems to be happening. Not only does Sky discover there really are aliens, but some of them are missing, which could cost her uncle his job and put her in danger as well. 

 The illustrations are fun and help readers get a visual on the aliens. Sky and her alien friend, Elvis, are likable characters and the humor is fun. Agent Fartz spawned a whole lot of fart jokes that grew tiresome for me after awhile, but may appeal to a younger crowd. At almost 300 pages, the story could have been tightened up a little. Sky and her uncle appear to be Indian and most everyone else are aliens. 

 Michelle in the Middle