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We're Not from Here
Imagine being forced to move to a new planet where YOU are the alien!The first time I heard about Planet Choom, we'd been on Mars for almost a year. But life on the Mars station was grim, and since Earth was no longer an option (we may have blown it up), it was time to find a new home.That's how we ended up on Choom with the Zhuri. They're very smart. They also look like giant mosquitos. But that's not why it's so hard to live here. There's a lot that the Zhuri don't singing (just ask my sister, Ila), comedy (one joke got me sent to the principal's office), or any kind of emotion. The biggest problem, though? The Zhuri don't like us. And if humankind is going to survive, it's up to my family to change their minds. No pressure.
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First published March 5, 2019
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About the author
Geoff Rodkey
30 books305 followersGeoff Rodkey is the New York Times bestselling author of the suburban-apocalypse comedy LIGHTS OUT IN LINCOLNWOOD and eleven books for middle grade kids: Kevin Hart's MARCUS MAKES A MOVIE and MARCUS MAKES IT BIG; the science fiction comedy WE'RE NOT FROM HERE; the illustrated comedy THE TAPPER TWINS GO TO WAR (WITH EACH OTHER) and its three sequels; the critically acclaimed CHRONICLES OF EGG adventure-comedy trilogy; and THE STORY PIRATES PRESENT: STUCK IN THE STONE AGE, a comic novel bundled with a how-to guide for kids who want to create stories of their own.
Geoff is also the Emmy-nominated screenwriter of such hit films as DADDY DAY CARE, RV, and the Disney Channel's GOOD LUCK, CHARLIE, IT'S CHRISTMAS. His early writing credits include the educational video game WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO?, the non-educational MTV series BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD, and Comedy Central's POLITICALLY INCORRECT.
Geoff grew up in Freeport, Illinois and began his writing career on his high school newspaper. While in college, he was an editor of both the Harvard Lampoon and the Let's Go travel guide series.
Geoff is also the Emmy-nominated screenwriter of such hit films as DADDY DAY CARE, RV, and the Disney Channel's GOOD LUCK, CHARLIE, IT'S CHRISTMAS. His early writing credits include the educational video game WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO?, the non-educational MTV series BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD, and Comedy Central's POLITICALLY INCORRECT.
Geoff grew up in Freeport, Illinois and began his writing career on his high school newspaper. While in college, he was an editor of both the Harvard Lampoon and the Let's Go travel guide series.
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February 7, 2019
There’s stuff in the publishing industry that “everybody knows”. For example, it wasn’t that long ago that “everybody knew” that books with green covers wouldn’t sell. Then Percy Jackson comes along and so much for that theory (it’s sepia covers that don't sell, anyway). “Everybody knew” that kids weren’t all that into fantasy right up until the moment Harry Potter started a worldwide craze. But there’s a pretty persistent “everybody knows” theory floating around out there that continues to this day. It seems that “everybody knows” that kids don’t read science fiction. Star Wars stuff? Not real science fiction thanks to that mystical component. Post-apocalyptic stuff? Too realistic to be considered science fiction. No, we’re talking space opera type stuff. Rocket ships. Aliens. The whole enchilada. But this year, 2019, is also the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, and I’ve noticed an ever-so-slight shift in the number of space related children’s books hitting the market. There’s the usual historical, factual stuff . . . and then there’s the pure science fiction. Books like We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey. Unapologetically bold, it wears its little science fiction loving heart on its sleeve. Managing to also be funny and strangely poignant, this isn’t a book about “Why can’t we all just get along?” It’s about what happens when our differences are so glaring we have no choice but to acknowledge that they’re there at all.
It’s not like the human race really wanted to go to Choom, but it’s also not like it really had a choice in the matter. Earth was officially an ex-planet, beyond hope or repair. Attempts to colonize other moons and planets had yielded bupkiss. And best of all, the four species that reside together on Choom (many of which were refugees themselves) were happy to give the humans a chance. It would just take twenty years of bio-suspension for the people to get to Choom. Trouble is, when they arrive the government of Choom has changed and the planet is rejecting them. Humans are too violent a species to accept, they say. That’s why Lan’s family is selected as the guinea pigs to give Choom a try. If they can convince the three dominant species (when did it become three?) to accept them, they’ll have saved humanity. Trouble is, humanity is pretty hard to save when dark governmental forces are determined to turn you away.
The other day I was listening to a critique of the film Green Book and the critic was talking about how regressive the message was. “It confuses prejudice with racism”. For some reason, this line kept coming back to me as I considered this book. I was thinking about how this story would have been constructed even ten years ago. The notion of humans having to prove their worthiness to immigrate to a planet isn’t necessarily new, but what might be new are some of the elements surrounding their arrival. In this book the government has changed since the humans were last in contact with the planet. This government is, as Marf (essentially a friendly superintelligent giant marshmallow) explains it, more conservative than the last one. They don’t want to cause genocide by denying a species access to their planet, but they also don’t want them there. The simple answer then is to fill the televisions with fake news showing the humans out of context. That’s not something I think we would have seen in a middle grade novel in the past. Then there’s the solution to the problem. The humans are initially being asked to assimilate and by the story’s end it’s interesting to note that while they are still trying in some areas (sports, for example) they’ve also carved out their own specific parts in the culture where they thrive. They integrate but remain separate in specific ways. In short, Rodkey knows the difference between prejudice and racism (or, in this case, species-ism).
Ultimately the humans use two skills to win over the planet: humor and music. Put another way, the human race is saved by what essentially boils down to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “American Idol”. But along the way there’s a lot of serious consideration about government, mob mentalities, and why we offer refuge to others. Like any good science fiction author, Rodkey knows that an alien planet full of giant mosquitoes is never just an alien planet full of giant mosquitoes. As a result, he has to figure out how much he can say about the times we are currently in, while remaining true to this story and avoiding the dreaded soapbox. It’s a balancing act, honestly. When do you joke and when are you serious? What’s important enough to mention and what do you elide? Finding the right mix is the key. Fortunately, the man is up to the challenge.
It helps that the book really is funny. I mean, right from the start Lan’s talking about how they first heard about Planet Choom when taking a break from filming a video called “Top Ten Toilets of the Mars Station”. I’m not ashamed to say that if I were on the station I would have completely have been on board with that video. Later, when Lan’s family has settled on Choom, Lan meets Marf of the Ororo species and comes up against her dry, deadpan humor. The first time she meet Lan she says she’s there to “convert you to our religion.” For half a second there I fell for it, like Lan, and started having flashbacks to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. But once she starts describing the painful (and utterly fake) conversion process (“As part of the initiation, Ezger will have to chew off one of your arms. But you will find great spiritual meaning in your suffering”) I knew I’d found my favorite alien. Rodkey isn’t all laughs all the time, but when Lan decides that the only way to save the human race is to make it appear ridiculous (and, therefore, harmless) I had all sorts of real world equivalency thoughts. Get ‘em with the funny, then secure ‘em with the beauty (the music in this case).
We’re Not From Here looks like other silly science fiction tales, but choices were made throughout that kept catching my interest. For example, the main character, Lan, is never defined as being either a boy or a girl. It’s not something I actually noticed on a first read. I had to have it pointed out to me, and once I did I was intrigued to find that the publisher went along with it. Lan on the cover could be male or female. Lan is never referred to as either “he” or “she” in the text. I made note of this. Then there’s the fact that the family prays. We don’t know their religion or to whom they pray. We just know that in times of trial the dad suggested “Why don't we all pray?” and that when they did, “It helped a little.” Prayer, as ubiquitous as it may be in some American households, is very rarely mentioned in works of fiction that are not already overtly about religion. The mention Rodkey includes is casual, a part of day-to-day life, and never the central focus of the tale. It just grounds the book in a specific reality. One notable in its rarity.
There’s not a children’s middle grade book out there right now that isn’t weighted down by the times in which we live. The trick is knowing how to take that knowledge and turn it into something useful. When people round up the books about immigration and refugees that came out in 2019, it is unlikely that they’ll think to include a silly little space tale of humans and the bugs that sport the personality of the Muppets’ Sam the Eagle. Still, it would be foolish to disregard We’re Not From Here. As the very name implies, sometimes you can say a lot with the impossible. Whether they’re winning their enemies over with laughter or silencing them with humanity’s greatest gifts, the kids in this book know what it’s like to be the outsider. Let’s hope they can show some of our real world kids a little of that empathy. After all, that’s what science fiction does best. And that’s why kids eat it up when given half a chance. Forget what the professionals say. Loads of kids are going to find this book a blast, space opera or no.
For ages 9-12.
It’s not like the human race really wanted to go to Choom, but it’s also not like it really had a choice in the matter. Earth was officially an ex-planet, beyond hope or repair. Attempts to colonize other moons and planets had yielded bupkiss. And best of all, the four species that reside together on Choom (many of which were refugees themselves) were happy to give the humans a chance. It would just take twenty years of bio-suspension for the people to get to Choom. Trouble is, when they arrive the government of Choom has changed and the planet is rejecting them. Humans are too violent a species to accept, they say. That’s why Lan’s family is selected as the guinea pigs to give Choom a try. If they can convince the three dominant species (when did it become three?) to accept them, they’ll have saved humanity. Trouble is, humanity is pretty hard to save when dark governmental forces are determined to turn you away.
The other day I was listening to a critique of the film Green Book and the critic was talking about how regressive the message was. “It confuses prejudice with racism”. For some reason, this line kept coming back to me as I considered this book. I was thinking about how this story would have been constructed even ten years ago. The notion of humans having to prove their worthiness to immigrate to a planet isn’t necessarily new, but what might be new are some of the elements surrounding their arrival. In this book the government has changed since the humans were last in contact with the planet. This government is, as Marf (essentially a friendly superintelligent giant marshmallow) explains it, more conservative than the last one. They don’t want to cause genocide by denying a species access to their planet, but they also don’t want them there. The simple answer then is to fill the televisions with fake news showing the humans out of context. That’s not something I think we would have seen in a middle grade novel in the past. Then there’s the solution to the problem. The humans are initially being asked to assimilate and by the story’s end it’s interesting to note that while they are still trying in some areas (sports, for example) they’ve also carved out their own specific parts in the culture where they thrive. They integrate but remain separate in specific ways. In short, Rodkey knows the difference between prejudice and racism (or, in this case, species-ism).
Ultimately the humans use two skills to win over the planet: humor and music. Put another way, the human race is saved by what essentially boils down to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “American Idol”. But along the way there’s a lot of serious consideration about government, mob mentalities, and why we offer refuge to others. Like any good science fiction author, Rodkey knows that an alien planet full of giant mosquitoes is never just an alien planet full of giant mosquitoes. As a result, he has to figure out how much he can say about the times we are currently in, while remaining true to this story and avoiding the dreaded soapbox. It’s a balancing act, honestly. When do you joke and when are you serious? What’s important enough to mention and what do you elide? Finding the right mix is the key. Fortunately, the man is up to the challenge.
It helps that the book really is funny. I mean, right from the start Lan’s talking about how they first heard about Planet Choom when taking a break from filming a video called “Top Ten Toilets of the Mars Station”. I’m not ashamed to say that if I were on the station I would have completely have been on board with that video. Later, when Lan’s family has settled on Choom, Lan meets Marf of the Ororo species and comes up against her dry, deadpan humor. The first time she meet Lan she says she’s there to “convert you to our religion.” For half a second there I fell for it, like Lan, and started having flashbacks to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. But once she starts describing the painful (and utterly fake) conversion process (“As part of the initiation, Ezger will have to chew off one of your arms. But you will find great spiritual meaning in your suffering”) I knew I’d found my favorite alien. Rodkey isn’t all laughs all the time, but when Lan decides that the only way to save the human race is to make it appear ridiculous (and, therefore, harmless) I had all sorts of real world equivalency thoughts. Get ‘em with the funny, then secure ‘em with the beauty (the music in this case).
We’re Not From Here looks like other silly science fiction tales, but choices were made throughout that kept catching my interest. For example, the main character, Lan, is never defined as being either a boy or a girl. It’s not something I actually noticed on a first read. I had to have it pointed out to me, and once I did I was intrigued to find that the publisher went along with it. Lan on the cover could be male or female. Lan is never referred to as either “he” or “she” in the text. I made note of this. Then there’s the fact that the family prays. We don’t know their religion or to whom they pray. We just know that in times of trial the dad suggested “Why don't we all pray?” and that when they did, “It helped a little.” Prayer, as ubiquitous as it may be in some American households, is very rarely mentioned in works of fiction that are not already overtly about religion. The mention Rodkey includes is casual, a part of day-to-day life, and never the central focus of the tale. It just grounds the book in a specific reality. One notable in its rarity.
There’s not a children’s middle grade book out there right now that isn’t weighted down by the times in which we live. The trick is knowing how to take that knowledge and turn it into something useful. When people round up the books about immigration and refugees that came out in 2019, it is unlikely that they’ll think to include a silly little space tale of humans and the bugs that sport the personality of the Muppets’ Sam the Eagle. Still, it would be foolish to disregard We’re Not From Here. As the very name implies, sometimes you can say a lot with the impossible. Whether they’re winning their enemies over with laughter or silencing them with humanity’s greatest gifts, the kids in this book know what it’s like to be the outsider. Let’s hope they can show some of our real world kids a little of that empathy. After all, that’s what science fiction does best. And that’s why kids eat it up when given half a chance. Forget what the professionals say. Loads of kids are going to find this book a blast, space opera or no.
For ages 9-12.
March 13, 2019
Everyone agrees this was a very entertaining book.
January 29, 2020
If I have to be home sick, at least there are lots of good books to keep me company. This science fiction story should be in all middle-grade collections. Exciting, with great characters, and interesting thoughts about immigration. Well-deserved Oddysey Honor yesterday, and it's inspired me to go back through the Oddyseys to help feed my audiobook addiction.
November 23, 2020
What happens when mankind evacuates Earth and immigrate to another planet? Can four alien species coexist together? Can Lan and her family prove that the Earthlings belong? Fun and serious at the same time, Geoff Rodkey does an excellent job of exploring the current state of politics, immigration and even entertainment.
March 30, 2019
Richie’s Picks: WE’RE NOT FROM HERE by Geoff Rodkey, Random House/Crown Books for Young Readers, March 2019, 256p., ISBN: 978-1-5247-7304-5
“President Trump on Tuesday said that the nuclear launch button on his desk is ‘much bigger’ and ‘more powerful’ than that of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un -- and that his button actually ‘works.’”
-- The Hill (1/2/2018)
“Show some emotion
Open your heart
Set free an ocean
Only a feeling can save us now”
-- Celine Dion (1992)
“Then Naya and I joined Ila, my parents, and 1,018 other people on the shuttle up to the transport that waited in low orbit to take us to Planet Choom. The living conditions on the transport were even worse than the Mars station--nobody had their own compartment, and we all had to sleep in our bio-suspension pods, which were in one giant room together.
Fortunately, we were only on the transport for two days before we all went into suspension and woke up the next morning--or twenty years later, depending on how you looked at it--in a solar system sixty trillion miles away, ready to start a new life on Choom.
But there was a problem. During the twenty years we were asleep, the aliens had changed their minds about us.”
The premise is pretty intense: Earth has been rendered uninhabitable by nuclear warfare. 2,400 humans (out of nine billion) managed to escape to a space station on Mars. But supplies quickly diminish, and the life-support systems begin failing. A portion of the Mars group decides to return to Earth, hoping against reality that they will survive. They don’t. Another portion of the survivors decides to head to unpopulated Novo in hopes they can sufficiently tweak that planet’s biosphere in order to live there. They can’t. The remaining 1,018 head for Choom, where four species coexist. The humans communicate primarily with the planet’s majority species, the Zhuri, who look like giant mosquitoes. The Zhuri invite them to come settle on Choom.
But the Zhurian political landscape changes over the twenty years that the humans are rocketing there in a bio-suspension state. When the earthlings arrive, revive, and are orbiting Choom, they learn that the current Zhuri leadership, which appears fundamentalist and authoritarian, has decided that the human species “is too violent and emotional” to live among them. They vow to vaporize the humans if they attempt to land.
When the humans communicate to the Zhuri representatives that they have no fuel or supplies to go elsewhere, that they will perish unless they are permitted to stay, the Zhuri government decides that they will “open the planet to one ‘human productive unit,’” in order to see whether it can work to let the humans immigrate. The test-case family will be our narrator, Lan, his sister the young phenom singer Ila, and their parents. The future of humanity hinges on their success.
Things don’t start out very well for the family. There is the equivalent of a violent protest upon the family’s arrival. They barely escape back into the shuttle in one piece. They are eventually provided protection and housing in a dwelling designed for the Ororo, a giant, pale blue, marshmallow-shaped species. Author Geoff Rodkey makes the most of the differences in shapes, sizes, and bodily functions between humans and their new planetary neighbors as the family has to adapt to accommodations that aren’t designed for our species. The Ororo toilets are a particularly humorous example of this. And the two Earth kids are permitted to attend school, albeit with armed guards to keep an eye on their behavior.
Lan and his sister are also assigned Zhuri classmates to shadow them. Lan’s classmate is not much fun. Fortunately, Lan is soon befriended by two “minority” students, an Ororo female and a Krik. (The Krik look like werewolves.)
Will the family succeed in their trial habitation on Choom and save the human race?
What happened to the fourth species, the Nug, who were there twenty years ago when the humans were invited to Choom, but who are now gone without a trace?
The Ororos are thousands of times more intelligent than humans. Might Lan’s female Ororo friend Marf devise an even better solution for saving humanity?
WE’RE NOT FROM HERE is an out-of-this-world, thought-provoking read with a good measure of humor. It provides support for the notion that our children will be our salvation.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“President Trump on Tuesday said that the nuclear launch button on his desk is ‘much bigger’ and ‘more powerful’ than that of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un -- and that his button actually ‘works.’”
-- The Hill (1/2/2018)
“Show some emotion
Open your heart
Set free an ocean
Only a feeling can save us now”
-- Celine Dion (1992)
“Then Naya and I joined Ila, my parents, and 1,018 other people on the shuttle up to the transport that waited in low orbit to take us to Planet Choom. The living conditions on the transport were even worse than the Mars station--nobody had their own compartment, and we all had to sleep in our bio-suspension pods, which were in one giant room together.
Fortunately, we were only on the transport for two days before we all went into suspension and woke up the next morning--or twenty years later, depending on how you looked at it--in a solar system sixty trillion miles away, ready to start a new life on Choom.
But there was a problem. During the twenty years we were asleep, the aliens had changed their minds about us.”
The premise is pretty intense: Earth has been rendered uninhabitable by nuclear warfare. 2,400 humans (out of nine billion) managed to escape to a space station on Mars. But supplies quickly diminish, and the life-support systems begin failing. A portion of the Mars group decides to return to Earth, hoping against reality that they will survive. They don’t. Another portion of the survivors decides to head to unpopulated Novo in hopes they can sufficiently tweak that planet’s biosphere in order to live there. They can’t. The remaining 1,018 head for Choom, where four species coexist. The humans communicate primarily with the planet’s majority species, the Zhuri, who look like giant mosquitoes. The Zhuri invite them to come settle on Choom.
But the Zhurian political landscape changes over the twenty years that the humans are rocketing there in a bio-suspension state. When the earthlings arrive, revive, and are orbiting Choom, they learn that the current Zhuri leadership, which appears fundamentalist and authoritarian, has decided that the human species “is too violent and emotional” to live among them. They vow to vaporize the humans if they attempt to land.
When the humans communicate to the Zhuri representatives that they have no fuel or supplies to go elsewhere, that they will perish unless they are permitted to stay, the Zhuri government decides that they will “open the planet to one ‘human productive unit,’” in order to see whether it can work to let the humans immigrate. The test-case family will be our narrator, Lan, his sister the young phenom singer Ila, and their parents. The future of humanity hinges on their success.
Things don’t start out very well for the family. There is the equivalent of a violent protest upon the family’s arrival. They barely escape back into the shuttle in one piece. They are eventually provided protection and housing in a dwelling designed for the Ororo, a giant, pale blue, marshmallow-shaped species. Author Geoff Rodkey makes the most of the differences in shapes, sizes, and bodily functions between humans and their new planetary neighbors as the family has to adapt to accommodations that aren’t designed for our species. The Ororo toilets are a particularly humorous example of this. And the two Earth kids are permitted to attend school, albeit with armed guards to keep an eye on their behavior.
Lan and his sister are also assigned Zhuri classmates to shadow them. Lan’s classmate is not much fun. Fortunately, Lan is soon befriended by two “minority” students, an Ororo female and a Krik. (The Krik look like werewolves.)
Will the family succeed in their trial habitation on Choom and save the human race?
What happened to the fourth species, the Nug, who were there twenty years ago when the humans were invited to Choom, but who are now gone without a trace?
The Ororos are thousands of times more intelligent than humans. Might Lan’s female Ororo friend Marf devise an even better solution for saving humanity?
WE’RE NOT FROM HERE is an out-of-this-world, thought-provoking read with a good measure of humor. It provides support for the notion that our children will be our salvation.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
April 30, 2019
I've been given an ARC copy.
This is a truly wonderful book and a must-to-read both for children and adults alike. 2019 just started but I think this book will be one of my Top 3 for the year.
I LOVE it!!!!
And, oh, it still made me cry at the happy end.
Страхотна книжка, която май няма аналог във фантастиката за големи. На ясен и понятен език излага страшно трудни за обясняване на дете понятия, пробужда и развива емпатията и способността на детето да се поставя на мястото на другите и да съпреживява заедно с тях, и едновременно с това е забавна, вълнуваща, силно емоционална, пълна с "великденски яйца" и за възрастните... въобще - определено за мен е сред Топ 3 за годината и се надявам да я видим да обира една камара награди. Дай Боже!
А, да, и въпреки че е детска книжка, успя да ме разреве накрая. Правете си сметката :)
This is a truly wonderful book and a must-to-read both for children and adults alike. 2019 just started but I think this book will be one of my Top 3 for the year.
I LOVE it!!!!
And, oh, it still made me cry at the happy end.
Страхотна книжка, която май няма аналог във фантастиката за големи. На ясен и понятен език излага страшно трудни за обясняване на дете понятия, пробужда и развива емпатията и способността на детето да се поставя на мястото на другите и да съпреживява заедно с тях, и едновременно с това е забавна, вълнуваща, силно емоционална, пълна с "великденски яйца" и за възрастните... въобще - определено за мен е сред Топ 3 за годината и се надявам да я видим да обира една камара награди. Дай Боже!
А, да, и въпреки че е детска книжка, успя да ме разреве накрая. Правете си сметката :)
May 21, 2019
This book was a lot smarter than I thought it was going to be. With the cover image featuring two large aliens that look like giant insects, I assumed it would just be goofy fun but it was so much more. Refugees who thought they were welcome find themselves suddenly vilified by the current government?! Forced to prove they are good creatures even though the news says they are clearly bad based on footage seen 20 years ago.
Definitely taking this with me for booktalks to upper elementary and middle school.
Definitely taking this with me for booktalks to upper elementary and middle school.
May 1, 2020
I enjoyed this more than I expected! It took awhile, at first sounded too childish but as the story depth grows I felt more involved. The silly humor and situations were great! There are some strange aliens! And not ones I can say I'd normally want to meet. Everything is easy to relate to. Right down to the tv they can watch. I really liked the pace and the younger perspective of a very dire situation. The story had a sense of urgency I like but it was kept somewhat light-hearted. Great narration!
May 1, 2019
Very pleasant and delightful reading. Even adults may be interested in such kind of story, I hope... and for children it's definitely a must-read. Sad that it has no sequel — I'd love to know what happened after the big finale :)
March 5, 2019
#randomhouse #partner - Happy book birthday to Geoff Rodkey’s WE’RE NOT FROM HERE! As if Rodkey’s NYT Bestselling Author status wasn’t enough intro… WE’RE NOT FROM HERE calls out and leverages the imagination co-creation between author and reader in a sci-fi / political satire manages to be both profound and hilarious.
I’m going to put one of the most brilliant parts of this book up front: We can guess at Lan’s race, but we don’t know his/her gender. Going back to the whole “this book is brilliant” thing, Rodkey states in the intro: “I gave the readers a bit more space to imagine whatever version of Lan works best for them.”
In other words, a book about a planet full of giant flies, is a work of literary brilliance that is probably going to be dissected in college discussion groups for centuries to come, and this is a good thing.
Picture it: Space. Maybe the 2030s. Earth has been destroyed in an unspecified radiation accident or possibly nuclear war, and a small group of humans (first names suggest ethnic diversity and all are fluent in English) live on a space-station-turned-refugee-camp somewhere outside Mars. Perceptive preteen aspiring comedy vlogger Lan Mifune walks us through the weird world, with just enough personality to be engaging and just enough flexibility that anyone can step into Lan’s brain.
Fortunately, distant planet Choom, home to four different alien species and a history of welcoming immigrants, welcomes the humans as long as they promise not to become violent (again). Giant housefly Zhuri, werewolf Krik, marshmallow monster Ororo, and weird worm Nugs were mostly refugees themselves at one point.
Except, something changes during the 20-year biosuspension journey. Now Choom has three species (nobody’s talking about the Nugs), and the refugees are greeted by an Immigration Division official from Choom’s new government: The humans are no longer welcome.
The refugees negotiate one human reproductive unit to come stay as a trial. Lan’s family is chosen due to Mom’s position on the Governing Counsel and sister Ila Mifune’s Earth status as a former American Idol-esque star, and the Mifunes touch down in a high-stakes exchange student arrangement that could make or break the survival of the human race.
In a school of mostly Zhuri and Krik, Lan builds a tentative alliance with the semi-criminal Ororor Marf and her Krik sidekick Ezger. While emotion (produces smells and led to the Nuk’s extermination) is forbidden on Choom, the uneasy trio distributes contraband funny videos of Lan being clumsy and Simpsons-esque cartoons of (allegedly) excessive bodily functions in order to win over the others on Choom.
Their efforts result in a riveting climax of kids dressed in plastic garbage bags and singing American folk songs, triggering a governmental overthrow.
While Rodkey’s second-degree burn against the American immigration system might escape a child reader, it won’t escape an adult: The Krik, once the sole species on Choom, are now a minority population with more humble jobs. The majority Zhuri, second-newest arrivals and most stringent gatekeepers, sneer at their manners and food as disgusting.
WE’RE NOT FROM HERE releases March 5, 2019 from Random House.
Sidenote: Rodkey’s worldbuilding and introduction of a complicated world are brilliantly executed in the first chapter, making WE’RE NOT FROM HERE a mentor text every writer should check out.
I’m going to put one of the most brilliant parts of this book up front: We can guess at Lan’s race, but we don’t know his/her gender. Going back to the whole “this book is brilliant” thing, Rodkey states in the intro: “I gave the readers a bit more space to imagine whatever version of Lan works best for them.”
In other words, a book about a planet full of giant flies, is a work of literary brilliance that is probably going to be dissected in college discussion groups for centuries to come, and this is a good thing.
Picture it: Space. Maybe the 2030s. Earth has been destroyed in an unspecified radiation accident or possibly nuclear war, and a small group of humans (first names suggest ethnic diversity and all are fluent in English) live on a space-station-turned-refugee-camp somewhere outside Mars. Perceptive preteen aspiring comedy vlogger Lan Mifune walks us through the weird world, with just enough personality to be engaging and just enough flexibility that anyone can step into Lan’s brain.
Fortunately, distant planet Choom, home to four different alien species and a history of welcoming immigrants, welcomes the humans as long as they promise not to become violent (again). Giant housefly Zhuri, werewolf Krik, marshmallow monster Ororo, and weird worm Nugs were mostly refugees themselves at one point.
Except, something changes during the 20-year biosuspension journey. Now Choom has three species (nobody’s talking about the Nugs), and the refugees are greeted by an Immigration Division official from Choom’s new government: The humans are no longer welcome.
The refugees negotiate one human reproductive unit to come stay as a trial. Lan’s family is chosen due to Mom’s position on the Governing Counsel and sister Ila Mifune’s Earth status as a former American Idol-esque star, and the Mifunes touch down in a high-stakes exchange student arrangement that could make or break the survival of the human race.
In a school of mostly Zhuri and Krik, Lan builds a tentative alliance with the semi-criminal Ororor Marf and her Krik sidekick Ezger. While emotion (produces smells and led to the Nuk’s extermination) is forbidden on Choom, the uneasy trio distributes contraband funny videos of Lan being clumsy and Simpsons-esque cartoons of (allegedly) excessive bodily functions in order to win over the others on Choom.
Their efforts result in a riveting climax of kids dressed in plastic garbage bags and singing American folk songs, triggering a governmental overthrow.
While Rodkey’s second-degree burn against the American immigration system might escape a child reader, it won’t escape an adult: The Krik, once the sole species on Choom, are now a minority population with more humble jobs. The majority Zhuri, second-newest arrivals and most stringent gatekeepers, sneer at their manners and food as disgusting.
WE’RE NOT FROM HERE releases March 5, 2019 from Random House.
Sidenote: Rodkey’s worldbuilding and introduction of a complicated world are brilliantly executed in the first chapter, making WE’RE NOT FROM HERE a mentor text every writer should check out.
July 10, 2019
We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey, 256 pages. Crown Books (Random House), 2019. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (attacks)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Earth has been destroyed and only a few hundred survivors have made it off safely in a few prepared ships and tried to make a go of it on Mars. As the conditions on Mars worsen, they have made contact with Planet Choom, a place about 20 years away, populated by four groups of non-humanoid creatures, and Choom has volunteered to take them in. After 20 years of hyper-sleep, the group arrives, but now the government has changed hands and Choom doesn’t want them. The ship’s governing council has managed to talk the planet into taking one family as a test – just for a few days – and Lan, her sister, and her parents are it. When the cards are stacked against them does Lan’s family have a chance to prove their worth?
This alien framed look at xenophobia is a tense adventure novel that upper elementary and middle school kids will like, even if they don’t get the deeper meaning. The descriptions of the alien groups are well-crafted and full of interesting details. Totally great choice for a read aloud.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (attacks)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Earth has been destroyed and only a few hundred survivors have made it off safely in a few prepared ships and tried to make a go of it on Mars. As the conditions on Mars worsen, they have made contact with Planet Choom, a place about 20 years away, populated by four groups of non-humanoid creatures, and Choom has volunteered to take them in. After 20 years of hyper-sleep, the group arrives, but now the government has changed hands and Choom doesn’t want them. The ship’s governing council has managed to talk the planet into taking one family as a test – just for a few days – and Lan, her sister, and her parents are it. When the cards are stacked against them does Lan’s family have a chance to prove their worth?
This alien framed look at xenophobia is a tense adventure novel that upper elementary and middle school kids will like, even if they don’t get the deeper meaning. The descriptions of the alien groups are well-crafted and full of interesting details. Totally great choice for a read aloud.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
November 22, 2019
Името Джоф Родки ви звучи познато, така ли? Нищо чудно! Това е същият онзи детски писател, който вече доби значителна популярност сред младите читатели у нас с поредицата си от дигитални дневници, направо от логовете на онази вечно скарана двойка, Близнаците Тапър. Но в изданията на „Егмон” името му бе изписано като ДжЕф Родки. Без значение дали сте чели книгите за Близнаците Тапър обаче, и без значение дали сте ги харесали, наистина трябва да пробвате „Гости отдалеч” (изд. „Кибеа”)! Тази хумористична младежка фантастика се оказа една от най-несериозните сериозни книги, които съм чел... Или пък сред най-сериозните несериозни книги? Хммм... Както и да е, ПРОЧЕТЕТЕ Я! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
January 26, 2019
**I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley for an honest review**
Omg this was such a cute and interesting book. I really liked the unique setting, and just found myself flying through this story. This book is also extremely frustrating but in a way that makes you want to keep going to see how everything works out in the end! Definitely in my top middle grade favorites of all time now!
Omg this was such a cute and interesting book. I really liked the unique setting, and just found myself flying through this story. This book is also extremely frustrating but in a way that makes you want to keep going to see how everything works out in the end! Definitely in my top middle grade favorites of all time now!
January 6, 2020
Humorous and clever with multiple layers--I think children will like the voice of the main character who struggles to fit in a world far different. Maybe good for grades 4 and up???
August 24, 2022
Everyone agrees this book was an amazingly awesome way to frame current events in an entirely different way so that you can think about them from a different vantage point. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!
Re-read for bookclub 6/22: I don't know what it is but I really enjoy this audiobook. It is well done in several ways. Everyone still agrees you can learn a lot from this story.
Re-read for bookclub 8/22: we had a great discussion at book club on the topics and themes and characters in this book. Is it possible I like it even more?
Re-read for bookclub 6/22: I don't know what it is but I really enjoy this audiobook. It is well done in several ways. Everyone still agrees you can learn a lot from this story.
Re-read for bookclub 8/22: we had a great discussion at book club on the topics and themes and characters in this book. Is it possible I like it even more?
January 18, 2019
Funny, interesting, fast-paced, and includes a protagonist that never reveals their gender. This book exceeds the cover which in itself is a reason to pick up the book. Currently craving those food blocks though...
November 18, 2019
This is officially one of my favorite books of the year. It manages to be funny, topical, and clever all in one. It's short, but very impactful. I can't wait to read it with students!
July 21, 2021
This was a surprisingly good tale that can be read either as a somber summer science-fiction read, or a deeper, allegorical refugee story. It's not a light read, by any means, and the ending is anything but certain, but we really enjoyed this.
Humans have mucked up (possibly blown up) the Earth and are essentially camping out on Mars in the interim, trying to figure out what to do. But the air processors are wearing out, water's running thin, the food is just...getting worse and sooner rather than later, people are going to have to move on. The planet humans had hoped to terraform, Novo, turns out to be both too far away and not terraformable.
Pretty soon, it's obvious the people in the Mars colony have two choices: go back to Earth, see what's left and try to survive; or travel to Choom, a planet with oxygen we can breathe, but...already populated by a large (bigger than human-sized) albeit intelligent, mosquito-looking aliens, and three other alien species.
Enter Lan and Ila Mifune, little brother and sister of two scientists who are working really hard to make the Choom option... welll, an option. A communique is sent to Choom and the Zhuri, the mosquito-aliens who run the planet agree to allow us to settle on Choom with the other species. They welcome us, even.
The Mars colony splits -- some head back to Earth, to wait a few thousand or tens of thousands of years for it to recuperate, and the other half head to Choom. Lan's older sister has a gorgeous voice, but she's still sulking about Earth's destruction and refuses to sing.
In the 20 years it takes the group to travel 60 trillion miles to reach Choom in bio-suspension things have changed. Drastically.
The Zhuri recind their welcome, saying they've viewed our histories and we're too violent. We evoke too much emotion in their people. They won't let us land on the planet, and food and air on the space ship are quick running out.
Lan's family manages to negotiate for the four of them to land and prove we've matured beyond our violent historical tendencies.
Lan and Ila go to Zhuri school. To prove, humans can co-exist with the Zhuri. As the only humans on the planet, they stand out. They're picked on. Lan ends up eating lunch with the two minority species on the planet, a small sharp-toothed Krik named Ezger, and a very intelligent blob-like Ororo named Marf.
Marf modifies Lan's communications device, and they can finally converse.
And Lan learns why humans are not welcome on Choom.
That third minority species the Zhuri mentioned, 20 years ago, when the Zhuri welcomed humans to Choom?
They're gone. Wiped out. By a swarm of emotion-soaked Zhuri.
I won't spoil how the story unfolds from there, but it was a great read, full of twists and turns. Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Humans have mucked up (possibly blown up) the Earth and are essentially camping out on Mars in the interim, trying to figure out what to do. But the air processors are wearing out, water's running thin, the food is just...getting worse and sooner rather than later, people are going to have to move on. The planet humans had hoped to terraform, Novo, turns out to be both too far away and not terraformable.
Pretty soon, it's obvious the people in the Mars colony have two choices: go back to Earth, see what's left and try to survive; or travel to Choom, a planet with oxygen we can breathe, but...already populated by a large (bigger than human-sized) albeit intelligent, mosquito-looking aliens, and three other alien species.
Enter Lan and Ila Mifune, little brother and sister of two scientists who are working really hard to make the Choom option... welll, an option. A communique is sent to Choom and the Zhuri, the mosquito-aliens who run the planet agree to allow us to settle on Choom with the other species. They welcome us, even.
The Mars colony splits -- some head back to Earth, to wait a few thousand or tens of thousands of years for it to recuperate, and the other half head to Choom. Lan's older sister has a gorgeous voice, but she's still sulking about Earth's destruction and refuses to sing.
In the 20 years it takes the group to travel 60 trillion miles to reach Choom in bio-suspension things have changed. Drastically.
The Zhuri recind their welcome, saying they've viewed our histories and we're too violent. We evoke too much emotion in their people. They won't let us land on the planet, and food and air on the space ship are quick running out.
Lan's family manages to negotiate for the four of them to land and prove we've matured beyond our violent historical tendencies.
Lan and Ila go to Zhuri school. To prove, humans can co-exist with the Zhuri. As the only humans on the planet, they stand out. They're picked on. Lan ends up eating lunch with the two minority species on the planet, a small sharp-toothed Krik named Ezger, and a very intelligent blob-like Ororo named Marf.
Marf modifies Lan's communications device, and they can finally converse.
And Lan learns why humans are not welcome on Choom.
That third minority species the Zhuri mentioned, 20 years ago, when the Zhuri welcomed humans to Choom?
They're gone. Wiped out. By a swarm of emotion-soaked Zhuri.
I won't spoil how the story unfolds from there, but it was a great read, full of twists and turns. Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
November 26, 2020
This book is solid children's science fiction, with spaceships, several alien races, and the destruction of Earth, which happened before the book starts. The few thousand survivors of Earth camp out on Mars, but it isn't a long-term survivable option. Luckily, there's an invitation from a planet that's inhabited by four alien species. Lan, the protagonist, and his parents and older sister, are among the thousand or so humans that decide to go.
After 20 years of bio-suspension, they arrive at the planet. The aliens have had a change of government and don't want to allow the humans to live there. But the humans have no other options. After negotiations, the aliens allow one family - Lan's - for a trial residency, with public opinion and the government lined up against them. Lan and his sister have to go to school with alien kids who are terrified of them. And the family, with the few alien friends they've make, have to figure out a way to turn the tide. The existence of the human race is on the line. So it's a serious situation, but the book is lighthearted and funny.
The characters are appealing, the plot moves along nicely, and the conclusion is suspense-filled and satisfying. The book is not at all heavy-handed about it, but it does take on the issue of xenophobia, which is relevant to daily life these days. I very much enjoyed reading it and will seek out the author's other books.
After 20 years of bio-suspension, they arrive at the planet. The aliens have had a change of government and don't want to allow the humans to live there. But the humans have no other options. After negotiations, the aliens allow one family - Lan's - for a trial residency, with public opinion and the government lined up against them. Lan and his sister have to go to school with alien kids who are terrified of them. And the family, with the few alien friends they've make, have to figure out a way to turn the tide. The existence of the human race is on the line. So it's a serious situation, but the book is lighthearted and funny.
The characters are appealing, the plot moves along nicely, and the conclusion is suspense-filled and satisfying. The book is not at all heavy-handed about it, but it does take on the issue of xenophobia, which is relevant to daily life these days. I very much enjoyed reading it and will seek out the author's other books.
July 21, 2020
This was an excellent middle grade science fiction novel in which the survivors of planet earth are seeking a home on the planet Choom. Many residents are against them because of humanity's history of violence but one family unit is granted a trial visit to prove the worth of the group. There is a lot of comedy in this book and a lot of action as well. The three species who currently inhabit Choom are all very individual and interesting. The role that pheromones play in the insect creatures communication is very well depicted. There is a lot for thoughtful readers to consider in this book but it is also simply an extremely fun MG sci-fi.
February 20, 2021
We're Not from Here is a hilarious book that made us think what if our Earth blew up, and we had to live on a different planet with different species. It's a thoughtful book that helps us learn about how comedy and performing arts could help people learn about their culture and find similar interests. It's an inspiring book that tells us even a single small group of beings could make a change for a huge planet. However, this is also a mirror of racism. The government on the planet Choom tried to make everyone hate the human species by putting on fake news reports. Humans literally had to prove that they were worthy of living with the other species. People who have different cultures and looks do not need to "prove" their right to live with people different from them.
July 5, 2020
Another straight-up science fiction book, which is a good thing and was unusual for a while there. This one is funny. A different take on being the new kid at school ( the family is the new species on a planet). Fun, relatable, and with a bit of immigration commentary thrown in. Loved it.
June 30, 2021
It's about a far away planet in the distant future... but it's really not. Great story about immigration and finding common ground. Everyone agrees.
June 26, 2024
definitely my classes favorite read aloud of the year. the villain i was making them wait each day for the next chapter. highly recommend!
January 4, 2022
I really liked this book. Funny and creative.
September 6, 2020
"The first time I heard about Planet Choom, we'd been on Mars for almost a year. But life on the Mars station was grim, and since Earth was no longer an option (we may have blown it up), it was time to find a new home."
Humanity may have found their last hope. The Zhuri invited the humans to take refuge on Planet Choom, but in the 20 years it took to get there, the Zhuri changed their minds. Now Lan, his sister, and his parents are the only humans allowed on Choom and they must convince the Zhuri that humanity is worth saving.
This is a quirky story filled with messages about acceptance, fitting in, and being yourself. By making Lan's family the only 4 humans on an alien planet, Rodkey confronts acceptance and discrimination without being overly preachy. The story had some twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen to Lan, his family, and ultimately, humanity.
Humanity may have found their last hope. The Zhuri invited the humans to take refuge on Planet Choom, but in the 20 years it took to get there, the Zhuri changed their minds. Now Lan, his sister, and his parents are the only humans allowed on Choom and they must convince the Zhuri that humanity is worth saving.
This is a quirky story filled with messages about acceptance, fitting in, and being yourself. By making Lan's family the only 4 humans on an alien planet, Rodkey confronts acceptance and discrimination without being overly preachy. The story had some twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen to Lan, his family, and ultimately, humanity.
October 17, 2025
I admittedly hadn't planned to read this; my copy was from a free library, but it's so visibly damaged that I can't in good conscience re-donate it to a different one (in the process of cycling things out to make room for my donations).
Then I happened to look inside and see it's even MORE damaged than I first thought!
Like, is this really necessary?
I have to believe the prior reader was somebody who had trouble parsing text and needed the assistance to thoroughly grasp what the book was saying. (Also, a lot of the comments are grammatically incorrect, like using "threw" instead of "through.") Okay, that's one thing, but between the unhelpful notes AND the battered state of the book, I really can't justify passing it on even to a reader who might be interested in the commentary. It would be a different story if this were a hardcover textbook for a class, then the notes would be helpful. As a young reader fiction story, it sort of makes it harder to read, especially when the circles cover up parts of the names being "highlighted."
That said:
The story is an interesting twist: Humans are the "aliens" going to another planet, on invitation. However, when they arrive, the aliens-but-not-actually-aliens (inhabitants of planet Choom*) inform the humans—who have otherwise been in cryostasis in order to survive the twenty year journey—that they are no longer welcome.
Which of course is a HUGE problem, since they have literally NOWHERE else to go, much less fuel to go there. Yet the inhabitants of Choom only begrudgingly back down from rescinding their invitation by virtue of "the promise was made by the old leaders, and the new leaders have different ideas... but we keep our promises." It really doesn't improve from there.
Between the condition of the book (I may as well read all the commentary since it's here and give this copy one last hurrah) and the fact it feels like there's a very simple solution that I'm already predicting** but is not being brought up because otherwise the book ends too soon, I find this rather difficult to read. Oh, and also isn't helping.
(update)
So, I finished the book, and I have two notes in specific about the "added content":
1. I actually was clued in by the prior reader's "Auu*** he did such a good job" comment that the main character (Lan) is PROBABLY male! Since it's written in first-person, the only pronouns assigned to Lan are "I" and "me" (when another character doesn't call Lan "you"), and none of the other characters point out TO LAN Lan's own characteristics. Even the book summary is written in first-person, so that's also no help. (I just mentally drifted toward assigning characters as female or nonbinary without any blatant indicators otherwise, possibly since I've read books where I first incorrectly assumed the opposite and it's become a reflex.)
2. It's pretty evident where the prior reader stopped reading, since the last third of the book is pristine(ish). So they didn't get to read the ultimately cornball ending where . I say cornball because it's such a weird "THEN SUDDENLY WE WON" ending and transitions suddenly into "Everything is cool now, here's a chat transcription of us hanging out and being cool now."
The thing about the ending is it really does feel like, "Oh, the only way out of this is to basically force reboot the entire population," in a way that doesn't feel particularly believable, but it's also believable that the corrupt government exists and is struggling to stay in power even though the people can't really stop them (even though they absolutely could through the power of violence but are "supposed" to be better than that even though the extreme levels of LITERALLY POISONOUS anger they spew suggest otherwise).
...I don't know. Interesting concept, but it's just not landing for me. I'd give a lower rating specifically for my copy, but that's not really in the spirit of book reviews, so rating for benefit of the doubt that the "blank" copy I bought to donate would have made for a more enjoyable experience.
*I can't really just say "Choomites" or whatever, since there are four distinct races mentioned in the initial invitation. Or rather, the book doesn't call them Choomites, since the races are VERY distinct and treated as though they're ALL non-native and just temporarily getting along on the same campsite or however you want to think about it.
**Two, really:
1. Ask them for fuel and suggestion for an alternate location.
2. Offer the Chow! It may be a disgusting stopgap for humans, but maybe the Choomites will like it??
***sic
Then I happened to look inside and see it's even MORE damaged than I first thought!
Like, is this really necessary?
I have to believe the prior reader was somebody who had trouble parsing text and needed the assistance to thoroughly grasp what the book was saying. (Also, a lot of the comments are grammatically incorrect, like using "threw" instead of "through.") Okay, that's one thing, but between the unhelpful notes AND the battered state of the book, I really can't justify passing it on even to a reader who might be interested in the commentary. It would be a different story if this were a hardcover textbook for a class, then the notes would be helpful. As a young reader fiction story, it sort of makes it harder to read, especially when the circles cover up parts of the names being "highlighted."
That said:
The story is an interesting twist: Humans are the "aliens" going to another planet, on invitation. However, when they arrive, the aliens-but-not-actually-aliens (inhabitants of planet Choom*) inform the humans—who have otherwise been in cryostasis in order to survive the twenty year journey—that they are no longer welcome.
Which of course is a HUGE problem, since they have literally NOWHERE else to go, much less fuel to go there. Yet the inhabitants of Choom only begrudgingly back down from rescinding their invitation by virtue of "the promise was made by the old leaders, and the new leaders have different ideas... but we keep our promises." It really doesn't improve from there.
Between the condition of the book (I may as well read all the commentary since it's here and give this copy one last hurrah) and the fact it feels like there's a very simple solution that I'm already predicting** but is not being brought up because otherwise the book ends too soon, I find this rather difficult to read. Oh, and also isn't helping.
(update)
So, I finished the book, and I have two notes in specific about the "added content":
1. I actually was clued in by the prior reader's "Auu*** he did such a good job" comment that the main character (Lan) is PROBABLY male! Since it's written in first-person, the only pronouns assigned to Lan are "I" and "me" (when another character doesn't call Lan "you"), and none of the other characters point out TO LAN Lan's own characteristics. Even the book summary is written in first-person, so that's also no help. (I just mentally drifted toward assigning characters as female or nonbinary without any blatant indicators otherwise, possibly since I've read books where I first incorrectly assumed the opposite and it's become a reflex.)
2. It's pretty evident where the prior reader stopped reading, since the last third of the book is pristine(ish). So they didn't get to read the ultimately cornball ending where . I say cornball because it's such a weird "THEN SUDDENLY WE WON" ending and transitions suddenly into "Everything is cool now, here's a chat transcription of us hanging out and being cool now."
The thing about the ending is it really does feel like, "Oh, the only way out of this is to basically force reboot the entire population," in a way that doesn't feel particularly believable, but it's also believable that the corrupt government exists and is struggling to stay in power even though the people can't really stop them (even though they absolutely could through the power of violence but are "supposed" to be better than that even though the extreme levels of LITERALLY POISONOUS anger they spew suggest otherwise).
...I don't know. Interesting concept, but it's just not landing for me. I'd give a lower rating specifically for my copy, but that's not really in the spirit of book reviews, so rating for benefit of the doubt that the "blank" copy I bought to donate would have made for a more enjoyable experience.
*I can't really just say "Choomites" or whatever, since there are four distinct races mentioned in the initial invitation. Or rather, the book doesn't call them Choomites, since the races are VERY distinct and treated as though they're ALL non-native and just temporarily getting along on the same campsite or however you want to think about it.
**Two, really:
1. Ask them for fuel and suggestion for an alternate location.
2. Offer the Chow! It may be a disgusting stopgap for humans, but maybe the Choomites will like it??
***sic
April 16, 2019
I would find this interesting to read with a group of 5th through 8th graders. It wouldn't be a very challenging read for them, in terms of vocabulary or text quality, but it does have a number of issues I would find interesting to discuss, as the book progresses. For example, early on, the survivors of a catastrophe on Earth, who have moved to another planet have determined that they cannot live in perpetuity on that planet and must seek another planet. The choices seem to be 1) to return to a contaminated and probably unlivable Earth, 2) to journey to another planet that is known to also be less than ideal and where it is uncertain if it can be terraformed to be even marginally suitable, or 3) to journey to a far off planet that is inhabited by 4 intelligent alien species. What would be the pros and cons of each choice? Which would they choose? Why? How would you persuade your friend to make the same choice as you make? How would you feel if they chose differently?
Throughout the book, there would be some good stopping points to discuss choices and the reasons behind them, possible actions, and the psychology of their choices. I find the idea of talking about this with kids quite appealing.
Another thing I find interesting about this book is that it reads unlike many American books, in that the parents are an important part of the story. Yes, there are times when the kids are off on their own and doing things without parental advice or help, but there are also times when the family is together and supporting each other. I won't go so far as to say that this is strange, but it is uncommon in American books.
Yes, the ending is, in some ways, both too optimistic and too neatly wrapped up, but this is often the case for middle grade / tween science fiction. And, in the mean time, there are some interesting ideas to be explored. Worthwhile.
Throughout the book, there would be some good stopping points to discuss choices and the reasons behind them, possible actions, and the psychology of their choices. I find the idea of talking about this with kids quite appealing.
Another thing I find interesting about this book is that it reads unlike many American books, in that the parents are an important part of the story. Yes, there are times when the kids are off on their own and doing things without parental advice or help, but there are also times when the family is together and supporting each other. I won't go so far as to say that this is strange, but it is uncommon in American books.
Yes, the ending is, in some ways, both too optimistic and too neatly wrapped up, but this is often the case for middle grade / tween science fiction. And, in the mean time, there are some interesting ideas to be explored. Worthwhile.
November 10, 2019
With Earth destroyed, humans have successfully petitioned Planet Choom to take them in as refugees. Problem, it takes 20 years to get to Choom. They arrive and wake from suspended animation to learn they are no longer welcome. There is a new government now who thinks humans are mean and destructive.
Amora Persaud, who’s on the ship’s Governing Council, is able to negotiate a trial run, in which the Mifune family will be allowed to land and prove humans can peacefully assimilate. Being the new kid at school is tough anywhere, but on Choom, Amora’s child, Lan must navigate the cultures of the werewolflike Kriks; Ororos, who resemble giant marshmallows; and the Zhuri, who resemble giant mosquitoes and express emotions by secreting specific scents.
Things get complicated when the Zhuri government executes a smear campaign against humans even as some privately believe humans can be peaceful if given the chance. It’s up to Lan and their family to prove humans can contribute to society.
A quirky sci-fi adventure with a surprising layer of political irony. (Science fiction. 9-12)
Amora Persaud, who’s on the ship’s Governing Council, is able to negotiate a trial run, in which the Mifune family will be allowed to land and prove humans can peacefully assimilate. Being the new kid at school is tough anywhere, but on Choom, Amora’s child, Lan must navigate the cultures of the werewolflike Kriks; Ororos, who resemble giant marshmallows; and the Zhuri, who resemble giant mosquitoes and express emotions by secreting specific scents.
Things get complicated when the Zhuri government executes a smear campaign against humans even as some privately believe humans can be peaceful if given the chance. It’s up to Lan and their family to prove humans can contribute to society.
A quirky sci-fi adventure with a surprising layer of political irony. (Science fiction. 9-12)
November 13, 2019
A hilarious, compelling, timely story that will have kids laughing out loud and on the edge of their seats. I loved it! A super choice for a book club. Highly recommended.
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