Wanna Buy an Alien? - Hardcover

Bunting, Eve

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0395697190 ISBN 13: 9780395697191

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2000

Synopsis

Ben is excited and more than a little nervous when he receives a strange package on his birthday. Inside are photographs of himself . . . with an alien! The other contents are just as weird-a note, a tape, and two warm vein-covered rocks. Even when he finds out that his friend Jason ordered the gift from a "Wanna Buy an Alien?" ad in a tabloid, Ben can't shake the feeling that it's all real-especially when events begin unfolding just as the contents of the package had predicted. This entertaining and suspenseful sci-fi chapter book, illustrated with black-and-white drawings, will keep readers guessing at the truth right to the hair-raising surprise ending.

About this title

About the Author:

Eve Bunting has written over two hundred books for children, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz, The Wall, Fly Away Home, and Train to Somewhere. She lives in Southern California.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-6-It's April 21st and Ben is celebrating his 11th birthday. His friend Jason has sent him a gift that he thought was a joke: a box containing two photos of Ben and an alien that are dated April 23rd; two perpetually warm, blood-colored pyramid rocks; an audio tape; and a letter from Iku, the alien. The package contents freak out Ben's dog, Homer, and Ben is quite shaken himself. He and his buddies, Jason and Paloma, decide the situation is for real and that they will follow the alien's instructions for guiding the spaceship to their neighborhood. Although Ben has misgivings, he is afraid to tell his friends for fear of alienating them. The events build to an exciting climax when the children and Homer confront Iku and his extraterrestrial strength. They manage to see through his demonic smile and empty promises just in time and Homer saves the threesome. Bunting has created a suspenseful science-fiction tale for young and reluctant readers. Unfortunately, the characters are not well developed and the setting and time period are not clearly defined. An enjoyable but additional easy read.
Judith Everitt, Orchard Hill Elementary School, Skillman, NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0395697190
• ISBN 13: 9780395697191
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Bush Timothy