Archie Takes Flight (Space Taxi #1)

Gr 2-4--At eight years, eight months, and eight days old, Archie Morningstar is finally old enough to join his dad on the midnight taxi shift for "Take Your Kid to Work Day." When they blast out of orbit, it quickly becomes clear that his dad has an unusual job and that his vehicle is no ordinary taxi. Archie is now privy to the secret family business: driving aliens around the galaxy in a high-tech space vehicle. Displaying a special talent for reading an interactive space map, Archie becomes his dad's copilot, guiding them through wormholes and taking them to a distant planet to pick up their first fare. He soon finds himself helping a furry deputy of the Intergalactic Security Force apprehend an alien associated with B.U.R.P., the universe's biggest criminal organization. This series opener zips along at an energetic pace that will keep readers actively engaged. Plenty of humor and adventure make it a solid addition to early chapter-book collections, and the inclusion of science facts at the end adds an educational element. Grayscale cartoon illustrations open each chapter and are interspersed throughout the text; they have a childlike quality that complements young Archie's first-person narration. Readers will look to the stars for more interplanetary adventures to come.--Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL