Alien Feast (Chronicles of the First Invasion) [Hardcover]

Michael Simmons (Author), George O'Connor (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Chronicles of the First Invasion

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS MEETS DOUGLAS ADAMS as two kids and one old man prepare to save the world.

Things are getting better with the alien invasion. Sure it’s still not too uncommon to come home and find your step-parents reduced to a pile of unsavory feet—but at least now with the disease killing the aliens off, you have a relatively decent chance of making it through a day without getting mostly eaten. William knows this first-hand, having lost both his step-parents, but when the aliens kidnap his long-time crush Sophie’s scientist parents (and the government won’t help) it’s up to William, Sophie, and William’s bizarre Uncle Maynard to save them…and perhaps the rest of the world while they are at it. A hysterically twisted adventure that will knock your feet off!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—The year is 2017. Aliens have just eaten both of 12-year-old William's stepparents, and he is left to fend for himself in the midst of an invasion. Fortunately, he is able to find his secret crush, Sophie, whose parents have only been abducted. With the help of his Uncle Maynard, they come up with a rescue plan. The youngsters are nicely developed, and, refreshingly, they act as you'd expect kids to behave in such a stressful situation, not like miniature adults. O'Connor's artwork adds to the humor. While the illustration of severed feet on the cover may put some readers off, it does a great job of setting the tone of the book as a send-up of old-time alien-invasion films. Simmons has a light touch, and readers will laugh through his explanation of how William came to be living with two stepparents and the aversion aliens have to eating human feet. The self-awareness of the narrator makes the opening chapters evocative of Lemony Snicket's work. Given that the novel begins in such a humorous vein, the poignant ending may come as a bit of a surprise. Alien Feast will leave readers waiting eagerly for the next installment. This title will be popular with fans of Adam Rex's The True Meaning of Smekday (Hyperion, 2007) and those who have outgrown Dan Greenburg's "Secrets of Dripping Fang" books (Harcourt).—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH
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Review

“Reluctant readers and juvenile SF buffs will look forward to more from this author.” —VOYA  

“Complete with dandy special effects and no small measure of wish fulfillment . . . just in time for summer reading.” —Horn Book

“The out-of-this-world story will appeal to young readers, who will look forward to the second installment.” —Kirkus Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition edition (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596432810
• ISBN-13: 978-1596432819
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #588,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars -----Clever and Original-----, October 19, 2009

By 

Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alien Feast (Chronicles of the First Invasion) (Hardcover)

It's the year 2017, and just imagine, the planet Earth has been taken over by an alien species who are not only ugly, but also nasty. You must avoid them at all costs and if you're clever, you have a chance to keep alive. We always assume that if another species makes it to Earth, they must be pretty intelligent, right? Not these aliens, they are actually lazy, and kind of stupid, at least that's what William Aitkin thinks. William's a likeable twelve year old boy and Alien Feast is his story.

It begins with William coming home and finding a dreadful surprise waiting for him. After dealing with the home issue, he decides to consult with his Uncle Maynard, a wonderful character! The story continues when William's friend, Sophie, tells him that her parents, who are both doctors, have been abducted by the aliens. The adventures begin as William, Maynard and Sophie go on a rescue mission. There are parts of this book that made me laugh out loud and I'm sure many young readers will love the story!


This is another offering by Michael Simmons, who wrote Pool Boy, Vandal, The Rise of Lubchenko and Finding Lubchenko. The author has the ability to delve into the youthful mind and come up with great stories. Well done!