Press 1 For Invasion by J.A. Dauber

It's time for another science fiction read, and this time, it's for the middle grade audience. I thought the imaginative alien on the cover was neat. Plus, the idea of finding a cell phone, which happens to expose aliens among us, sounded very interesting. I have a feeling this one is going to pack tons of fun...maybe humor with adventure?

Let's find out!

And before I forget, it's Monday! That means there is tons of middle grade goodness over at the MMGM (Marvelous Middle Grade Monday) over HERE. Knowers and lovers of literature for this age group recommend all sorts of tales to dive into. So, if you're into middle grade literature, you're going to want to head over there and take a peek.

PRESS 1 FOR INVASION

by J.A. Dauber

Aladdin

Middle Grade Science Fiction

320 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 9th!!!

A kid who just wanted a cell phone ends up being responsible for saving the world from an alien invasion in this hilarious, action-packed new middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe and Gordon Korman.

Ten-year-old Matt really wants a phone, but his parents won’t let him have one. When he finds one just lying on the sidewalk, he naturally picks it up and claims it for himself. But when Matt uses his new phone to take pictures, they show the crossing guard in front of his school as a monster. But that can’t be right…can it?

Matt soon learns a) his lunch lady is also a monster (actually, an alien); b) an invasion of Earth is due to take place within the next few days; and c) the lunch lady is having cold feet (well, tentacles) about the whole thing and wants his help. Matt and his friend Marcela join forces with her to save the planet.

Battles in their school cafeteria and high above the Earth’s atmosphere place them in very close encounters with alien pets and the business end of a gigantic oven. As the danger mounts, Matt and Marcela must ask themselves what they’re willing to risk to save their friends, their family, and their world.

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

School life mixes with a quirky but exciting adventure in a read, which lets the imagination fly and builds fun tension the entire way through.

Matt wants a cell phone, but his parents won't let him have one. So, when he finds one laying on the sidewalk and no one is around to claim it, he decides it's his. After all, he has no idea how to find the owner. But disappointment hits as he can only use it to take a few photos...until one photo shows the crosswalk guard as a tentacled monster. Weirder yet, everyone he shows the photo to only sees the guard as a normal human. Matt's not sure what to think until the lunch lady sees his phone and pulls him aside, and admits that the phone is actually alien technology. Not only that, but she's a tentacled alien, too. Originally, she was part of an invasion with the goal to use humans as food, but she's changed sides since she finds humans sympathetic. Despite her claims, Matt isn't so sure he can trust her, but with the end of the world approaching fast and no one else seems to believe him, he might just have to trust her and figure out how to defeat an entire alien race before the feast begins.

Matt is a fun character to root for. He's not really a hero type; he doesn't possess any super talents, skills, and isn't even overly brave. Still, he needs to figure out how to do the impossible...and that without a true-blue friend base to offer some help. He's easy to relate to, and his reactions are fitting for his age. Matt does cause a little mischief, at times, and doesn't always make the best decisions, but that makes him that much more likeable.

While this is a fast-paced read with dangerous predicaments, evil aliens, and high stakes, it carries quite a bit of humor to make it a fun tale with plenty of action and tension. Some situations are ridiculous, while others teeter on gore (but pull back just in time). There is even a touch of romance involved (not with Matt), which steers to an interesting twist at the end. Some moments did slow down a bit more than I like as Matt considers situations or descriptions dribble in, but for the most part, the plot keeps things coming and packs one interesting twist after the other.

Fans of silly adventures with unexpected heroes and evil plots are sure to enjoy this one.

And here he is...

When he’s not writing about aliens, J.A. Dauber can be found talking to students about books, movies, and other fun stuff at Columbia University in New York City, where he is a professor. He lives right near there, with his family, so that he can walk to work and see if anyone has dropped anything. Like a phone. After all, you never know. He also wrote a YA novel about a teenage supervillain named Mayhem which won an award from the Children’s Book Council.