From the Bookshelf of Aussie Readers…

The Secret Signal (Hal Junior #1)

Simon Haynes

Discussion: You and Your Books!

Why we're reading this: Australian author, childrens' fiction.…more
[close] Australian author, childrens' fiction.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 86 topics — 67,742 comments total

You and Your Books!

* Share Your Reviews (and Thoughts) Here - 2025
By Brenda , Aussie Authors Queen · 2046 posts · 209 views

last updated 56 minutes ago

* What are you reading? 2025 (not for reviews)
By Brenda , Aussie Authors Queen · 60 posts · 77 views

last updated Jul 06, 2025 01:44AM

showing 4 of 4 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Dec 07, 2011 Magdalena added it

Hal Junior is unlikely hero. He's just a little bit naughty, a tiny bit confused, and a bit behind on his schoolwork, but that doesn't stop him from saving the day like his own hero Captain Spacejock, the protagonist from Haynes' earlier novels. Hal Jr is educated by a robot, his home is a space station, his homework has just been sucked into the recycling hatch, his mother has just been promoted to head of research, and trouble is brewing. What follows is a fun, lighthearted, lightning fast adv Hal Junior is unlikely hero. He's just a little bit naughty, a tiny bit confused, and a bit behind on his schoolwork, but that doesn't stop him from saving the day like his own hero Captain Spacejock, the protagonist from Haynes' earlier novels. Hal Jr is educated by a robot, his home is a space station, his homework has just been sucked into the recycling hatch, his mother has just been promoted to head of research, and trouble is brewing. What follows is a fun, lighthearted, lightning fast adventure with a sci fi twist that children will love.

Reluctant readers of all ages will enjoy this book because it's full of cinematic action and as many sound effects as a comic strip or Matthew Riley novel (without the exploding heads and continual expletives): "zzingg", "gadoinnnggg!" "Clatter clatter crash!". Younger readers from about 8 or 9 will also enjoy it, identifying with Hal's perfect combination of insouciance and curiosity. There are all sorts of fun things in the book, from morse code to a mysterious watch recovered from the junk heap, a reverse canon that shoots garbage, and even a guide on how to build Hal's homework paper plane.

Though Hal himself is quite funny, additional humour and lightness is provided by captioned drawings throughout the book, including a running pun around "this page has been left intentionally blank". The space station setting is well depicted, and readers will share Hal's excitement as they tour the Tiger supply ship. The relationship between Hal and his best friend, brainiac Stinky provides a strong humourous thread blending Hal's courage and bravado with Stinky's problem solving ability. Readers will want to hear more about these two and the inevitable scrapes that they get themselves into.

With Hal Junior, clearly anything goes, there are endless adventures to be had on the space station. This is a charming book full of wacky, innovative fun that can be read quickly and easily by readers of all ages. It's a perfect way to encourage readers to keep reading.

Article first published as Book Review: Hal Junior: The Secret Signal by Simon Haynes on Blogcritics. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 27, 2011 Dee-Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: australian-authors, humour, children-s-book, ya-literature, movie-material, goodreads-giveaway

Hal lives somewhere in the not too distant future on a space staion with his parents and others. Hal is basically 'Dennis the Menace' in space. He does not intend to cause trouble, but it happens, and generally he is in close proximity of the epicentre.

This is a funny, action-packed, smart but easy to read story, aimed at 10 year olds plus. Hal provides some very founny answers to a science quiz, which had me laughing out loud. There is elements of physics, environmental science and more through ...more

Like · see review

Sep 03, 2011 Simon marked it as to-read · (Review from the author)

Shelves: science-fiction-humorous, middle-grade, science-fiction-young-adult

Sep 04, 2011 Simon added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction-humorous, middle-grade

Group Home Bookshelf Discussions

Photos Videos

Send invite Members Polls