Ambassador

National Book Award–winning Alexander (Goblin Secrets, 2012) injects meaningful depth into an exciting sci-fi adventure, perceptively exploring what it means to be alien while avoiding a heavy-handed message. The ending is abrupt, but it happily signals a sequel.

Physics lovers will enjoy this clever series opener—but so will those who enjoy comedy, politics, diplomacy or strange-looking aliens.

It's a meaty and entertaining novel with an open-ended conclusion offering lots of room for discussion.

 A meaty and entertaining novel.

While reading in his room, Gabe Fuentes is visited by an Envoy, an amorphous being that resembles a sock puppet, minus the eyes. It informs the 11-year-old that he has been chosen as Earth's ambassador and must discover why there are alien aircraft in the solar system. Thus begins an action-packed adventure for the hero and his plucky companion that's full of unusual creatures and one very menacing ambassador, Omegan of the Outlast. In the midst of their various escapades, Gabe's parents are detained by immigration authorities and face deportation, along with his older sister, for residing in the U.S. illegally. Alexander compares the relationship between aliens in other worlds with the plight of illegal immigrants in ours. There is no doubt where Alexander's sympathies lie and the tone becomes didactic, which may leave readers weary. The political commentary dilutes a promising tale of adventure.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MI

The Envoy doesn't exactly rank as charismatic megafauna. It's an amorphous purple blob who's been stuck on the moon for a few decades and is now on Earth and stalking Gabe Fuentes. Why? Earth needs an ambassador to "everyone else," and the Envoy believes Gabe is the perfect 11-year-old for the job, despite some reservations about his age: "The previous ambassador was younger." Gabe accepts the job with little ado, and the Envoy "entangles" him in a form of interstellar transport that manifests in Gabe's dreams. The alien-adventure part of National Book Award-winner Alexander's (Goblin Secrets) first SF story is played for gentle humor: Gabe is a good observer and a willing scapegoat for friends and family alike when trouble brews, and diplomacy and ridiculousness are effective tests of those traits. Less lighthearted is the plight of Gabe's parents, who are undocumented immigrants--aliens of an altogether different variety. The topical real-world plot sits uneasily with the galactic Dr. Who shenanigans in a story that feels too short to adequately address either. A sequel is planned. Ages 8-12. Agent: Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary. (Sept.)