Spork Out of Orbit (Book 1)

How to Be an Earthling #1

by Nan Walker, Jessica Warrick (Illustrator)

Acting like an Earthling isn’t easy! Follow the adventures of Spork the alien in the How to Be an Earthling series. Each book covers a different character trait to help kids think about what they say and do.
 
CRASH! Trixie can’t believe her eyes—an alien just landed in the school playground! Spork is small and orange and weird. He eats crayons. He thinks the hamster is a second grader. And respect? Spork’s never even heard of the word! But Spork is the best thing to ever happen to school. Trixie has to get him to stay! Every How to Be an Earthling title includes fun back-of-book activities that build on story themes. (Character Respect)

64 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First in a series; an alien named Spork crash-lands on Earth, in the school playground, and gets to spend a day with the third grade. One of the students, Trixie, had been hoping for more variety in the school day; she doesn't want Spork to leave, so she takes the material ("gloop") that Spork needs to repair his spaceship and hides it in her cubby. After being reminded about how she would want to be treated (via Mrs. Buckle's classroom rules), Trixie returns the gloop - but discovers that a day on Spork's planet is much longer than a day on Earth, so Spork is sticking around for awhile! A cute, short story, a perfect series for fantasy fans. I wish the illustrations other than the cover were in color. The author includes a matching "Planet of Perils" quiz, a questionnaire reminding kids about respect and how to treat others, and a list of true/false space facts at the end.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Very short and funny in places. I like how matter-of-fact they all are about an alien crash landing at their school. But all the stuff about respect was too heavy-handed, especially in such a short book.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy chapter book for young readers is about an alien who has crashed landed and goes to school. It is an interesting set of events that ensue. Kids will love the pictures that enhance the story. Things in Spork's life mirror our own but with a twist. I would recommend this for student who are in 2nd-4th grade and English Language Learners.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trixie is at school and she's Bored! It is always the same routine every week. Just as she is wishing for a little excitement, a flying saucer crashes on the playground! Finally! Adventure! Trixie's class runs out to see the crash and meet Spork, a space scout trying to earn his Solo Explorer badge. He informs the class that he can only stay one day. One day! Trixie panics. She must do something to keep Spork on earth longer than a day. Trixie hides the Gloop that will fix Spork's saucer. But is that the right thing to do? This is a cute story that teaches respect and the Golden Rule.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

For grades 1-3. Cute fish out of water story. I think kids will find that it is an alien appealing. I like that the teacher taught respect. All students will relate to the setting as well. Good beginning chapter book.