“Hobbs is in great form here, combining his love of the outdoors and extreme sports with the fantastic element of an invader from space…The sense of place is powerful, with bits of lore about the region making the reader feel immersed in the story and its setting, and the characterizations are especially strong in Brady and Quinn—two teens the reader really wants to know.” VOYA
Description
Brady Steele watches in awe as a fireball comes crashing through the roof of his house. Brady immediately calls up his cousin, Quinn. They both love all things extreme, and this is the most extreme thing ever! Fred, as Brady names his space rock, turns out to be one of the rarest meteorites ever found. Professor Rip Ripley from the museum in Hill City wants to study a sliver of it in search of extraterrestrial bacteria. He's hoping to discover the first proof of life beyond Earth, a momentous breakthrough for the new science of astrobiology. During a week of extreme bicycling, fishing, and caving, Brady and Quinn battle their rivals, the notorious Carver boys, for possession of the meteorite. With each new day, Brady is discovering he’s able to do strange and wonderful feats that shouldn’t be possible. At the same time, he’s developing some frightening symptoms. Could he be infected with long-dormant microbes from space? Is Fred a prize or a menace?
Praise
“Hobbs is in great form here, combining his love of the outdoors and extreme sports with the fantastic element of an invader from space…The sense of place is powerful, with bits of lore about the region making the reader feel immersed in the story and its setting, and the characterizations are especially strong in Brady and Quinn—two teens the reader really wants to know.” VOYA
“This book is exciting and a lot of fun. It is a must-read for those who love nature, the stars, and a challenge.” Children’s Literature
“Something to tantalize nearly every boyish taste, this title is a great choice for reluctant readers.” School Library Journal
“This fast-moving tale by an author known for exciting survival stories…is full of sports action, from basketball to biking and fishing…The premise is intriguing and adventure fans will appreciate all the boys’ escapades.” Kliatt
“Hobbs captures young teen dialogue well, and the characters are all easy to like in this solid adventure. Reluctant readers who’d rather be airborne than chair-bound will appreciate the two young boys’ penchant for pushing the envelope, and the postulations involving extremophile organisms is a neat twist with just a hint of science behind it.” Booklist
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Feb 18, 2008 |
| Release Date | February 19, 2008 |
| Release Date Machine | 1203379200 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Children's Books, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Education & Learning, Children/YA, Children 8-12, Fiction - All, Fiction - Child |
Author Bio
Will Hobbs is the author of many outdoor adventure novels for upper elementary, middle school, and young adult readers, as well as a few picture book stories. Several of his novels have been named Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association, and Ghost Canoe, his first mystery, won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. The ALA’s list of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of the Twentieth Century includes two of Will’s titles: Far North and Downriver. A graduate of Stanford University and a former reading and language arts teacher, he lives with his wife in Durango, Colorado.
Narrator Bio
Charles Carroll is an actor and voice-over artist residing in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is an avid film buff and stays active in the local film community.
Overview
Brady Steele watches in awe as a fireball comes crashing through the roof of his house. Brady immediately calls up his cousin, Quinn. They both love all things extreme, and this is the most extreme thing ever! Fred, as Brady names his space rock, turns out to be one of the rarest meteorites ever found. Professor Rip Ripley from the museum in Hill City wants to study a sliver of it in search of extraterrestrial bacteria. He's hoping to discover the first proof of life beyond Earth, a momentous breakthrough for the new science of astrobiology. During a week of extreme bicycling, fishing, and caving, Brady and Quinn battle their rivals, the notorious Carver boys, for possession of the meteorite. With each new day, Brady is discovering he’s able to do strange and wonderful feats that shouldn’t be possible. At the same time, he’s developing some frightening symptoms. Could he be infected with long-dormant microbes from space? Is Fred a prize or a menace?Reviews
Write Your Own Review