“Starcross,” by Philip Reeve

“Starcross,” by Philip Reeve is a fantastic adventure story set in an alternate reality Victorian world in which airships sail the “aether,” taking passengers to the most distant parts of the solar system.

Art Mumby and his sister Myrtle live a rather exciting and unusual life. Indeed that is to be expected when your mother is a “five thousand million year old entity from another star” and creator of your solar system. Art and Myrtle discovered their mother’s secret past in “Larklight,” book one of the Larklight series. When their mother stepped in to save the universe from an invasion of giant spiders, she did it with her usual grace and careful calmness, but it left Myrtle embarrassed by the fact that her mother is different, and it left Art wondering would happen next.

Fortunately, Art doesn’t have to wait long before he and his family once again become involved in a fantastic struggle to save the universe. It starts with a simple invitation to a new resort hotel in the Asteroid Belt. The hotel, called Starcross, advertises “sea bathing” and other comforts typically unknown to life in the airy expanses of aether beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Intrigued, Art and his family accept the invitation and set off on an aether ship to Starcross. The resort is very posh, with the finest of dining, and every luxury imaginable. And strangest of all, it really does have sea bathing. Once a day, “the tide comes in” and the hotel is surrounded by perfect seas, something which should be impossible in space.

It doesn’t take long for Art and his mother to figure it out. Once a day Starcross is sucked back in time millions of years to a time when it was not an asteroid, but a chunk of rock on the surface of Mars near an ocean. The question is, how is this happening?

By the time Art and his sister Myrtle stumble upon the secret it is too late. Someone, has retrieved the Shapeshifter engine, a powerful machine that Art’s mother used to create the solar system. Not only are they using it to transport Starcross back and forth in time, but they also have another plan in the works: the opening of a time portal to the distant future, where a swarm of intelligent hats waits to take over the universe.

A few of these hats have already managed to slip through time. Now they are disguised as ordinary apparel, top hats, cravats, and scarves. But once they are put on they feed on a person’s thoughts and control his or her body.

Will Art, Myrtle, and their mother be able to stop these deadly monsters before they take over the universe?

Philip Reeve has done a phenomenal job writing “Starcross.” If anything, “Starcross” is even better than “Larklight.” The alternate Victorian setting is superbly defined. Every aspect of the unique world is carefully crafted, from the distant space colonies, to the sailing aether ships that cross the expanses, to the space railroads linking the separate worlds of the Asteroid Belt. In “Starcross” the solar system has been conquered by British ingenuity.

The characters in “Starcross” are all very British. They are never too busy saving the world to stop for a cup of tea. Overall, I really like the way Philip Reeve has given his characters such a unique feel.

“Starcross” is superb in every respect, from the amazing world and sensitive characters, to the exciting plot. I definitely recommend it to readers who like science fiction fantasy.

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“The Traitors Gate,” by Avi

“The Traitors Gate,” by Avi is a historical fiction novel set in the London of 1849.

John is fourteen years old. He lives with his parents and older sister in a relatively affluent part of London. John’s father is typically considered to be a gentleman, for he works as a clerk at the Naval Offices drawing wages of about 100 pounds a year. His father’s good paying job allows John to attend Muldspoon’s Militantly Motivated Academy.

But one day John’s father makes a startling announcement: “By the end of this week, there’s a possibility that I shall be sent to prison.”

The next day when John comes home from school, he finds the constables hauling off his family’s belongings. John’s father is in debt, and will be sent to debtors prison unless he can raise 300 pounds by the end of the week.

In 1849 this staggering amount is more than three years pay for middle class citizens such as John and his family. The question is: How did John’s father manage to accumulate such a huge debt? And who is the mysterious O’Doul to whom John’s father owes the money?

All John can get from his father is that he doesn’t owe that man any money. John isn’t sure what to think. As he begins searching for answers he discovers inspectors from Scotland Yard, mysterious strangers, and hidden plots that he had never noticed before.

But worst of all, John discovers that his father has secrets that he has kept from John and the rest of the family. Now John may be the only one who can pull his family out of a precarious situation that could mean their complete downfall.

Once again Avi has done a superb job in creating a historical fiction novel. Just like his earlier “Beyond the Western Sea” series, “The Traitor’s Gate” is alive with detail and rich characters. The only thing that is certain in this book is that surprises are in store around every page.

“The Traitor’s Gate” is enlivened by beautiful line drawings by Karina Raude. These illustrations look like period woodcut images, and add a lot to the historical air of the plot. As Avi himself says, “The Traitor’s Gate” is a tribute to Charles Dickens. The story feels remarkably similar to many of Charles Dickens’ books, from some of the characters, to the vivid depictions of London in all its dirty, bustling splendor.

I would definitely recommend “The Traitor’s Gate,” by Avi to all young readers who enjoy historical fiction.


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“Replay,” by Sharon Creech

“Replay,” by Sharon Creech is a book about a small, dreamy boy in a large, outspoken family.

Twelve-year-old Leo loves to daydream. In his mind he is famous, big, or strong, but in real life his family calls him Sardine or Fog Boy. Leo feels that his family tends to forget him in the midst of their own boisterous dynamics, relationships, and projects. Leo is a dreamer, but the rest of his family doesn’t seem to appreciate this, and Leo doubts that they ever did or will.

But one day Leo goes up into the attic to escape the noise and confusion of his family. In a dusty box tucked away amidst the junk Leo finds a small blue book entitled “The Autobiography of Giorgio, Age of Thirteen.” Beneath the journal Leo finds a pair of scuffed up tap-dancing shoes. Giorgio is the name of Leo’s father, but Leo can’t believe that his father was ever happy enough to tap dance, and his father’s old journal is full of grand hopes and dreams that Leo can’t believe that his father ever aspired to.

Leo begins to explore his father’s life through reading the old blue journal. On those rare occasions when Leo finds that he has the house to himself he puts on the tap-dancing shoes and relives his father’s own early days.

Leo also takes a part in the school play. Not only does this give him a chance to achieve one of his dreams of performing, but it also pleases his father, who once wanted to be an actor.

Leo is determined to perform well in the play, even though he has the less than desirable part of an old crone. In addition, Leo is determined to uncover the secrets of his own father’s past: why he is so sad now, and why he abandoned all the plans and hopes that he wrote about in his blue journal so many years ago.

“Replay,” by Sharon Creech has a few distinguishing features that make it unique. First and foremost, the story includes the full text of the play “Rumpopo’s Porch,” by Bill Beeber. This is the play that is performed by Leo in the main story of “Replay.” “Rumpopo’s Porch” makes up about one-tenth of the content of “Replay.”

“Replay” also has a series of three interesting chapters that seem to be ‘replays.’ Each has the same basic structure: one of the children has an upcoming event, and the family is late. When the finally arrive, the star of the day plays their part and ends up getting injured. One of the Leo’s brother’s breaks his leg at a football game. Leo’s sister sprains her knee. Even his youngest brother manages to get hurt at a choir event.

The interesting part, when this really begins to play a major role, is on the night of Leo’s play. The chapter starts withe same format and structure as the three chapters in which Leo’s siblings get hurt at their own performances. Right from the start of the chapter the reader is just sure that Leo is going to ruin the play or get hurt. Whether he does or not, I’ll not say. You just have to read the book.

All things considered I would say that “Replay,” by Sharon Creech is well written book. Leo’s antics and adventures are both humorous and heartfelt, and it is this balanced mixture that makes a good book.

I would recommend “Replay” for the junior fiction audience.

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