Crash Course

Project Terra #1

by Landry Q. Walker, Keith Zoo (Illustrations)

TERRAFORMING 101 - An introduction to the sciences and technologies of extraterrestial world-building. Open to first year students. 

Elara Adele Vaughn has everything it takes to become a top planetary designer: skills, talent, and a one-way ticket to the Seven Systems School of Terraforming Sciences and Arts. But for all her excitement, life at her new school is a lot tougher--and stranger--than she ever thought possible. Her roommate, Clare, is a mute, intergalactic sponge. A field trip almost ended in the belly of a monster. And no one at her new school knows what it's like to grow up on a planet so far away it's called "Nowhere." But if the galaxy's greatest terraformers made it through their first year, then so can Elara.

Genres: Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Childrens, Mystery, Humor, Juvenile

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2017

About the author

Landry Q. Walker is a New York Times bestselling author of comics and books. His work includes Star Wars stories, Batman and Supergirl comics, and the Project Terra series of novels. He also co-created a Saturday morning cartoon called Scary Larry. He likes castles and robots and also pop-tarts. Most days he sits in his office and pushes buttons on a keyboard until stories somehow happen.

Reviews

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great sci-fi for the 4th-7th grade crowd! Landry is probably best known for his comic books and SuperGirl series, but this series starter is clearly his own creation rather than novellas and comics based on someone else's imagination. Elara is a strong, intelligent girl with terraforming on the brain. She is joined at a super elite school for other talented minds by a plethora of diverse characters from other planets. A few of those quickly become her friends and then find themselves enmeshed in a galactic plot that may result in total planetary annihilation! Satisfying and not completely predictable conclusion that stands alone but clearly leaves room for many more adventures for Elara, Knot, Beezle and Sibak. (Review of digital ARC from EdelweissPlus)

[Westminster Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sci-fi adventure for younger readers that are new to the genre. Elara and her crew of galactic misfits will teach readers about the importance of inclusivity and hard work while still making them laugh. Ideal for fourth to sixth graders. Filled with positive messages, little actual violence, and no romance, this book would be appropriate for younger kids reading above their grade level.

Find Crash Course at Westminster Public Library today!

And if you are in search of new books to read, try our services, What Do I Read Next. Our library staff are standing by to create a personalized recommendation list for you!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elara is super excited to have been given a scholarship to the elite terraforming school of the universe. She's never left her farming planet before, so the journey there and all the new beings she meets will be new. But the science, the science she's ready for. Though she experiences some prejudice about being from a distant farming planet, Elara quickly makes some truly good friends in Knot, Beezle, Clare, and then eventually Sabik. At first Elara thinks that terraforming school is just harder than she ever imagined with the accidents and incidents that happen involving her. But then she starts to realize that something more sinister is going on and she and her friends need to figure out what it is before someone gets seriously hurt.

I know, it isn't fair to compare any boarding school involving kids with special abilities to Harry Potter, but that's what comes to mind. So imagine if Harry Potter were a girl naturally gifted in math and science instead of magic, studies terraforming and bioengineering nuclear physics instead of magic, is just as accident/incident prone and just as much stuck in the middle of a much bigger battle with no clue of what's going on at first and you'll get the very basic idea of the feel of this book. And that's not a bad thing. It is fun. Has all sorts of imaginative aliens in its pages and planetary biomes, and a good mystery to solve with some lovably quirky friends. I gotta order book two ASAP. Kids are going to devour this and be begging for the 2nd book (even though there's enough plot resolution here to be ok with a teensy break between books). Highly recommended to scifi fans and boarding school story fans, or even mystery fans who aren't sure about the scifi stuff.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Some dangerous situations but no one is fatally injured and nothing gory (fatalities mentioned in past events, but not in any detail).

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

Can you say that there is diversity in a book if the main characters are mostly girls (usually they lean more towards boys in Sci-Fi books), and if they are different types of alien life-forms? Not sure how this falls exactly towards being a great representation of diversity though it does have a lot of "science" and adventure!

Elara, our MC, is the first one in her family in 4 generations to go off-planet (!) and to want to be anything other than a farmer. (Cue the gasps of horror and dismay.) Her family eventually rallies and supports her even if they don't understand her. Elara learns, as she leaves, that she has a lot to learn...especially when it comes to some preconceived notions (that look a lot like racism at times, useful to discuss with the kids).

School is challenge enough without the suspicion that someone is out to get her. Adventures galore happen from there. I can't say much after this without running into spoilers. Heads-up for lying, sneaking around, inexplicable bullying that disappears pretty quickly, damage to school property, and deus ex machina.

Props to: best friends no matter what, shooting down preconceived notions that are damaging or just plain wrong (racism), not giving up even when things are hard, family supports family, science is awesome, do no harm, bad guys are bad and get punished.

This was good, a solid read; I guess what was going to happen so that wasn't great, but I will still recommend it. And I want to read the next book.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walker, Landy Crash Course (Project: Terra #1), 224 pages. Penguin Random House, 2017. $14. Language: G (0 swears 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Elara Adele Vaughn has everything it takes to become a top planetary designer: skills, talent, and a one-way ticket to the Seven Systems School of Terraforming Sciences and Arts. But for all her excitement, life at her new school is a lot tougher–and stranger–than she ever thought possible. Her roommate, Clare, is a mute, intergalactic sponge. A field trip almost ended in the belly of a monster. And no one at her new school knows what it’s like to grow up on a planet so far away it’s called “Nowhere.” But if the galaxy’s greatest terraformers made it through their first year, then so can Elara.

I loved the book. As I was reading it, I was laughing the whole time. I had no idea that terraforming could make me laugh so hard!

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer, 7th grade.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this copy from the publisher via a Goodreads giveaway for a fair and honest review.

Crash Course is cute and funny! I think my favorite character has to be Clare the Sponge who swoops in and saves the day! Don't let her quiet demeanor and laid back attitude throw you off, she's smart and heroic!

The cover graphics and interior illustrations are wonderfully done and help the reader to envision the story so much better!

I could see the story as an animated series very well! So vivid are the illustrations and the writing!

At first, I had a little trouble, like Elara, trying to figure out the scene where they break into the archives. But Beezle explains it all in the following chapter, so not to worry!

Crash Course has loads of funny moments, high drama, suspense...it's got it all! I quite enjoyed it!

[Caterpickles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elara Adele Vaughn is dead set on becoming the galaxy’s top planetary designer. So what if she comes from a planet so far away it’s literally called Nowhere? So what if her roommate is a mute, intergalactic sponge? Elara has everything she needs to survive her first year at the Seven Systems School of Terraforming Sciences and Arts — skills, talent, and the resourcefulness to avoid getting trapped in the belly of a monster on her school’s first field trip. Now, if only she can survive her first year at the galaxy’s top terraforming school.

Why The Ten-Year-Old likes it:
“It’s hilarious, especially the part about the giant sponge. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series to see what the author does with that character.”

Who would enjoy this book, according to The Ten-Year-Old:
“This book is insanely awesome and great for fans of sci-fi and Star Wars.”

[Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tanner Hind
B5
Crash Course: Landry Q Walker 224 pages


Elara had a dream to become a terraformer, bioengineer that creates new life forms her whole life.
Elara goes to a school called Seven Systems School of Terraforming Science and Arts. Elara makes plenty of friends from her school such as, Knot witch is a friendly stone giant, and a blue girl named Beezle whos from a giant hive mind. Elara ended up saving sabik from a kitten spider, therefor gaining another friend.
Elara and her friends Knot, Beezle, and sabik ended up making a star, very destructively. Instead of the headmistress punishing them she gave them even more extracurricular activities which ended up exploding even more school property.
While elara is building many things around the school people are trying to kill her and her friends.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is out of my genre and it's a middle grade however I enjoy reading middle grade or out of my box when I'm going through a reading slump and or in between multiple books of the same genre.
I found this book to be fun, interesting and engaging for about a 4th grade or so reader and up.
Elara and her friends go on many adventures and assignments working hard to be their best.
I don't think all readers will understand what some things are or referring to however I do believe it is wrote in a way to interest and encourage young readers to this genre and perhaps find out.
I think I will pass this book on to my great nephew I think he just may enjoy it and discover a new genre he may want to explore more.

[Carson Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elara Vaughn has dreamed about going to the Seven Systems School of Terraforming her whole life. After her acceptance to the best terraforming school in the universe she is more than excited to leave her small farming planet and embark on a journey of a lifetime. When Elara finally arrives as school she is greeted by a group of odd friends, impossible classes, and dangerous field trips.

I got this book from my BookCaseClub subscription and the cover immediately intrigued me! I started reading it and then I couldn’t put it down! I’ve already ordered the 2nd book in the series and I can’t wait to see where Landry Q. Walker takes Elara on the next adventure through Terraformer school!

[Liz Overberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't understand what was happening in this middle grade book at times, and think many children would also find the science elements semi-confusing.

However there's humor, some interesting characters, fun illustrations, and positive messages about why prejudice is bad and we all have our own unique and important strengths.

The main character is the least fleshed out character in the book. I will see if things improve in book 2.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, funny, adventure, and I loved all the aliens. It's a little predictable, but with the intended audience I don't think that will be much of an issue. [Also, the school felt a bit like a younger, sci-fi Hogwarts, which might be an easy way to sell it.]

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. My 10-year-old really liked this, but I found it formulaic and the characters woefully underdeveloped. Nice concept, but I think I'll hold out to see if the sequel is better before I buy a copy for my school library.

[Dax · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute and full of so much action! Elara and her band of friends are a very interesting mix and I can't wait to read more! I appreciate how this book talks about doing no harm is the most important thing you can live by.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick, fun, and funny sci-fi adventure for middle-grade, YA, and sophisticated adult readers. Nice world-building and kudos for having a young woman of color as the protagonist.

[Alanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

A fun story! For an adult reading, it had issues, but I would definitely recommend it to kids who love a good space/friendship adventure.

[Tanya Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a kind of generic storyline, a girl who tries to prove herself at school but turns
out to be some kind of chosen one. Still, I found this story very imaginative because of the setting and world the author created.

The characters are diverse in race (aliens) and personality, this serves to give strong messages against discrimination, prejudice and bullying. Their differences make them complement each other. Elara is a good protagonist, determined, intelligent, skilled and friendly. She is capable of lear from her mistakes and to accept everyone, no matter how different they are from her, she is always curious and willing to help.

The storyline is more focused on explain how this universe works, to get the reader used to all the terminology and establish the setting. The first part works more as a slice of life story, it’s on the second half that something big is discovered and a big mystery appears. The book has action, friendship, interesting setting and some humor.

I found this to be a light, fast paced and definitely entertaining read, complemented with cute illustrations. It’s perfect for the audience its targeted to.

[Carolyn]

I loved the sound of this book, but the reading just didn't keep me interested. I think some of my students will still like it though so definitely putting it in my classroom library anyway.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great sci fi book for upper elementary or early middle school kids. Just enough violence to be fun. Nothing scary. No language. Supporting friendship and overcoming obstacles.