Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - THE INCREDIBLE SPACE RAIDERS FROM SPACE

A space adventure is not the first book I’d pick up when I’m looking for something to read, but I heard Wesley King speak at the Packaging Your Imagination Conference for writers and illustrators in November and that made me curious. His book is also one of the nominees for the 2016 Silver Birch Fiction Awards from the Ontario Library Association.

Description from Simon & Schuster:

When Jonah wakes up on the Fantastic Flying Squirrel, he’s a bit confused. One second he is in his family’s living room doing his homework, and the next he’s sitting on a very cold floor on a very cold ship with a very strange-looking girl staring at him. Her name is Willona the Awesome, and she’s here to welcome him to The Incredible Space Raiders.

Now that Jonah is on board, the Incredible Space Raiders can set off on an important mission: to venture into the Dark Zone and save the universe from the Entirely Evil Things. But when Space Raiders start to disappear, Jonah realizes that if he’s going to make it to the Dark Zone alive, he’s going to have to step up and figure out what’s going on.

The Incredible Space Raiders from Space was written by Wesley King and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2015.

My Take:

This science fiction adventure is an entertaining read! It’s funny, full of action and there’s also a mystery to solve. If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up one day and suddenly being put in a situation where you’re expected to save the day, you’ll be able to relate to Jonah. He’s a likable character who takes on a tough mission, despite doubts that he’s even supposed to be there.

From a writer’s perspective, I thought the author was especially good at writing believable middle grade dialogue.

Opening Line:

“Jonah blinked several times before he realized she was not going away.”

Quotes:

“He wanted to get off this ship of strange soldier children and shrieking monsters that may or may not have razors-sharp claws. He wanted to go home.”

 “She looked almost regal—in a dirty, stuck on an old, musty ship kind of way.”

“And if I’m risking my life to save the universe, there’s no way I’m taking orders from a bunch of smelly, miserable pirates.”

Other Info:

Wesley King is the author of YA novel, The Vindico.

At the Packaging Your Imagination Conference, he gave this valuable advice for writers: "Take the time to find your story and believe in it."

"Here’s a fun trailer for The Incredible Space Raiders from Space: