Susan Simmons can tell that her new substitute teacher is really weird. But she doesn't know how weird until she catches him peeling off his face--and realizes that "Mr. Smith" is really an alien!
At first no one will believe her except Peter Thompson, the class brain. When Peter and Susan discover Mr. Smith's horrible plans for their classmates, they know they have to act fast. Only they can get rid of their extraterrestrial visitor--and save the rest of the sixth-grade class from a fate worse than math tests!
]]>Coauthors Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville artfully sculpt the alternating voices and perspectives of Marina and Jed, and readers will be swept up in the thoughts and emotions of these complex young people. The skillful writing raises this novel above others--these characters are immensely believable as they struggle with matters of family and faith, while maintaining a smart, convincingly adolescent outlook. Excerpts from sermons, FBI files, camp schedules, and e-mails keep the story lively and suspenseful, as the Believers begin to stockpile weapons and the media adds fuel to the flames. But perhaps more resonant than the apocalyptic ending are the careful, distinct portraits of the two teens, thrust into a frightening situation that shuttles them suddenly into adulthood. (Ages 12 to 16) --Brangien Davis
]]>Peter Thompson, a typical seventh-grader, finds himself touring the planet with his friends Susan Simmons and Duncan Dougal, and three aliens in disguise!
Their mission? To file the final report that will determine Earth's future in the universe.
As the clock ticks away the hours before their meeting in space, the tour becomes weirder and weirder. The three friends come face-to-face with a plague of poots and "Big Julie" -- the weirdest alien yet!
Meanwhile Peter discovers a secret that was hidden for decades. Will his discovery save Earth, or isi it already too late to stop the aliens from destroying the planet?
]]>The first day of seventh grade is probably the worst day of Duncan Dougal's life. He knows that things are really bad when he finds an alien's hand in a Dumpster and then gets plugged into an alien brain fryer!
Can Duncan find out which of the four new teachers in his school is an alien before his brains get fried to a pulp -- or before the aliens try to fry the whole planet?
]]>Russell quickly learns how to change back and forth from human to monster. But he hasn't paid enough attention to the directions, and when he puts on the ring on the night of a full moon, and twists it three times, Russell realizes he's gone too far....
]]>Toad-in-a-Cage Castle was filled with secrets -- secrets such as the hidden passages that led to every room, the long stairway that wound down to the dungeon, and the weird creature named Igor who lived there. But it was the mysterious night noises that bothered William the most -- the strange moans that drifted through the halls of the castle where he was raised.
He wanted to know what caused them.
Then one night he found out....
]]>"I cannot tell a lie," says Rod Allbright. And it's the truth. Ask him aquestion and he's bound to give you an honest answer. Which is why, whenhis teacher asks what happened to last night's math assignment, Rod hasto give the only answer he can: "Aliens ate my homework, Miss Maloney!"
Of course, no one believes Rod this time, so they don't bother to askhim why the aliens are here. It's just as well, since he is sworn tosilence about their secret mission and the fact that he has been draftedto help them!
]]>When Rod Allbright's cousin Elspeth arrived for a visit the day afterschool let out for the summer, Rod thought his vacation was ruined. Butafter they are kidnapped to Dimension X by a monster named SmorkusFlinders, Rod realizes that Elspeth is the least of his problems. Afterall, what's a bratty cousin compared to cranky monsters, furious aliens,and the discovery that you are stuck in the middle of an interstellarpower play?
And that doesn't begin to take into account the horrifying personaldecision that Rod will be forced to make before his adventures are over.
]]>Then Moongobble the Magician and his faithful toad, Urk, move into the cottage on the hill.
Soon Edward has a job helping Moongobble. And Moongobble needs a lot of help, because it turns out he is not a very good magician. (His spells keep turning things into cheese!)
Edward has never been so busy -- or so happy. But then someone threatens to stop Moongobble from ever casting another spell. Edward can't let that happen. He'll do anything to save his friend's magic -- even face the deadly, dreaded Dragon of Doom!
]]>Moongobble enlists the help of Edward, Urk, the Rusty Knight, Fireball the Dragon, and Arfur, an old friend. Even with their help, this task won't be easy. Anyone who attempts to steal the Belly Button and fails will be turned into stone! Will Moongobble be able to successfully steal the stone and resist its powers?
]]>Luckily Edward, Fireball the dragon, and Urk, Moongobble's faithful toad, are all there to help him. Together, they go in search of the Weeping Werewolf and end up with much more than they bargained for!
Funny and suspenseful, spiced with Bruce Coville's special brand of wackiness and Katherine Coville's warm, witty illustrations, this book is sure to cast a spell of delight on beginning readers.
]]>Plunging into a vast prison that spans a planet, Clive Foliott faces a fantastic world of dwarves, cyborgs, and aliens unlike anything he has ever imagined. It is a multi-leveled collection of beings from the hidden folds of time and space. Trapped somewhere inside is Neville Foliott, Clive's twin brother, and no creature in the Dungeon will stop Clive from finding him...
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