Crash Course

Gr 4–6—A funny, fast-paced sci-fi adventure. Elara receives a scholarship to attend the prestigious Seven Systems School of Terraforming Sciences and Arts on the planet Keto. Like her classmates, she is set to learn how to create new, livable worlds, but unlike her classmates, she doesn't have much experience in other planets. Despite the life-threatening assignments, challenging professors, and haughty classmates, Elara catches the headmistress' attention and makes new friends: a girl with blue skin who communicates with a collective called the Overmind, an intimidating, rocklike giant who's actually friendly and sweet, and an immobile and mute yellow sponge named Clare. Together, they get into plenty of trouble, but they just might save the universe. Each chapter begins with illustrations by Zoo that depict what these alien characters might look like. Elara is likable and the story is engaging enough for reluctant readers.