Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences - Hardcover

Yansky, Brian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 076364384X ISBN 13: 9780763643843

Publisher: Candlewick, 2010

Synopsis

A polite race of telepathic killer aliens, a ten-second world conquest, and one teenage boy collide in this wry, gutsy adventure.

Jesse is in history class when a formidable, efficient race of aliens quietly takes over the earth in less time than it takes him to brush his teeth. Most humans simply fall asleep and never wake up. In moments, everyone Jesse knows and loves is gone, and he finds that he is now a slave to an inept alien leader. On the bright side, Jesse discovers he’s developing telepathic powers, and he’s not the only one. Soon he’s forging new friendships and feeling unexpectedly hopeful. When a mysterious girl appears in his dreams, talking about escaping, Jesse begins to think the aliens may not be invincible after all. But if Jesse and his friends succeed, is there anywhere left to go? Brian Yansky offers a funny, grim novel packed with everything boys and sci-fi fans love: aliens, humor, action, and a healthy dose of triumph.

About this title

About the Author:

Brian Yansky is the author of My Road Trip to the Pretty Girl Capital of the World and Wonders of the World. He holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College and lives in Austin, Texas, where he teaches writing at Austin Community College.

From Booklist:

Filled with thought-provoking topics, including slavery, colonization, technology, religion, and ecology, this short sci-fi read is as rewarding as it is entertaining. Using their advanced mental powers, the alien Sanginians take control of Earth in seconds, and human teen Jesse’s wry opening comment—“It takes less time for them to conquer the world than it takes me to brush my teeth”—sets the tone and firmly hooks the reader. Most of humanity goes quietly to sleep and never wakes, but a few people with latent telepathic gifts become slaves who are forced to remake Earth to Sanginian standards. Yansky doesn’t spend much time on invasion logistics. Instead, he moves right to the aftermath of the Sanginians’ colonization, as seen through the eyes of Jesse, a careful observer who finds himself growing into a leader. Jesse is an appealing narrator, and while the story’s events and themes are often grim, they are leavened with plenty of action, humor, and even a little romance. Great for time-crunched teens. Grades 9-12. --Lynn Rutan

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 076364384X
• ISBN 13: 9780763643843
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240