My Best Friend Is Out of This World

by Sarah Albee

When Maddy invites her best friend, Victor, over for dinner, her parents are shocked to discover that he is a space alien.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 15, 1998

Reviews

[RLL22018_Jorge Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite interesting. It didn't really grasp my attention, besides the fun colors it brought to the eyes. However, I feel that a lot of children would relate to this book because many have experiences imaginary friends. Moreover, aliens have always been a curiosity for children. In this book you see Maddy inviting her best friend Victor over for meatloaf. Victor is an alien and very polite. He brings present with him and has a casual night with Maddy's family and enjoy each others company. This book is geared towards primary grades. I feel that I would create an activity where they create their own story with their own "best friend" and share it with the class. This is an activity that could get students to interact and know each other.

[Alycia Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a girl named Maggy. Maggy has a friend Victor. She ends up having her friend over to her house. Little did her parents know, Victor is an alien. Maggy's parents were thrown off everytime Victor spoke to them. Honestly, I enjoyed this book a lot.

[Joelle Karlitz]

Title: My Best Friend Is Out of This World
Author: Sarah Albee
Illustrator: Nate Evans
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme (s): Friendship, Humor
Opening Line/Sentence:
Brief Book Summary: Maddy invites her new best friend over named Victor. They have dinner with Maddy’s parents where they are served meatloaf. However, all goes wrong when Victor shows up in a spaceship.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: (School Library Journal Blogs) Maddy has a very good friend named Victor and she invites him over for dinner. Her parents take things fairly well in stride when they meet Victor—a little blue alien. Maddy and Victor have a great time playing and sharing experiences. In addition to being an early reader, there is a subtle message here about friendship, especially if it is with someone very different than you. Part of the "Road to Reading" series, this is a Mile 2 book written for children who recognize some words and sound out others with help. Each book in the series contains guidance for parents and a description of what each of the five levels is designed to do.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: (School Library Journal Blogs) This book is a Road to Reading book that separates reading into 5 categories called 'miles'. This book is on Mile 2 where children are able to Read With Help. The illustrations match directly to the text and the vocabulary is perfect for that of a beginning reader. It is also a funny book with some 'hidden' messages.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree that this is a great story for children to begin reading with. I also felt that the text matched the vocabulary perfectly for a beginning reader. The illustrations are bright and vibrant as well which hold’s the child’s attention.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Some of the vocabulary words used in the book may be challenging for children, however, with help I believe that they will be able to sound them out. This book has entertaining characters and a great plot line.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This is a challenging book that children could work together on to sound out some of the words together. I liked how the chapters were small so that the teacher could discuss each section before moving on to the next one.

[Lauren Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a Road to Reading book that separates reading into 5 categories called 'miles'. This book is on Mile 2 where children are able to Read With Help. The illustrations match directly to the text and the vocabulary is perfect for that of a beginning reader. It is also a funny book with some 'hidden' messages.

[Kelly]

Big illustrations for so few words but funny how the kid is totally cool with this friend and the parent's are like, what is going on with this alien in our house?! Just an average early reader.

[Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has never failed to bring a giggle from my early readers. The drawings show a lot of expressions that young reader's can figure out.

[Sarah Stumphf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my two year old as a bedtime story and he really seemed to enjoy the pictures. He was quiet as I read it too, which is unusual since he usually asks a million questions.