Spacejackers - Hardcover

Gr 4–7—Annie meets Star Wars in this swashbuckling if far-fetched science fiction pirate romp. Meet Jake Cutler, mischievous orphan ward of the cyber monks of the (remote) planet Remota. His only possession is the crystal pendant his parents gave him as a baby. Now 13 years old, Jake has attracted the notice of the authoritarian Interstellar Navy and must flee Remota with his treasure-seeking friends Callidus and Capio. They book passage on a space pirate ship captained by Granny Leatherhead and her motley band of profiteers. Searching for the secret location of Jake's home planet Altus, Jake makes two friends, Kella and Nanoo, whose gifts may help him evade pursuit and uncover his origins. One cannot fault the enthusiasm with which Powell retreads familiar science fiction territory. From the orphan with the mysterious past to the hardened treasure-seeker who discovers his conscience to the evil government entity determined to keep the galaxy downtrodden, there is not much new material here. Still, Jake's conversations with various space characters are worth a few smiles, and his epic curiosity leads him into nonstop adventures. Some plot points hinge on coincidence—Jake discovers most of his family secrets in rapid succession, and the author editorializes about his characters to the story's detriment. Still, minimal character development will not matter to most kids, and readers may use these familiar story elements as a framework for comprehension. VERDICT An additional purchase for larger collections that need more middle grade science fiction and adventure titles.—Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT