The Galaxy Boys and the Sphere [Hardcover]

Andrew Steele (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Galaxy Boys

The Galaxy Boys had no idea they were boys of the galaxy, living in an orphanage in Brooklyn as they were. They had no idea of events outside planet Earth - now racing towards them across the heavens - events that would change their understanding of reality, then their lives. They (four young brothers) will learn how to pilot spaceships, then discover there is an evil that will chase them to the far riches of the galaxy to retrieve what was lost. If the brothers stick together, they're likely to make it through this adventure. But sticking together in the incredibly vast galaxy may not be possible, or practical. For those who read this story, there will be a few pressing questions: Can Rafjur really be trusted? Steal a spaceship? You're kidding, right? Do Jawbonee really eat their guests? What is a Moxy Gorp, anyway? And what is it with that robot wearing a flower print apron and a straw hat?

Editorial Reviews

Review

I liked everything about this book - even before I had opened it the beautiful cover illustration and amusing synopsis told me that the people who had put this book together knew what they were doing. Luckily, the story itself didn't let the side down and Andrew Steele has written a children's fantasy adventure that shows that he understands what makes children tick and what they want to read. The fact that the book is based on his own children makes it even more special and endearing. If I was asked to describe The Galaxy Boys and The Sphere using comparison I would be drawn to say - It's like Star Wars meets Isaac Asimov meets Batteries Not Included.A" Steele's writing style is descriptive and continuously laden with a dry and quirky sense of humour. The excerpt below is an example of this: Just when one would think that a hysterical scream was in order, as the helicopter appeared to be plunging straight into the ocean, it levelled off, just feet above the surface. They were so close; if a fish had jumped out of the water in front of them it would surely have been the first time a sea creature had been run over by an aircraft.A" The Galaxy Boys and the Sphere: A Helicopter in a Tube The love and fascination that Andrew Steele has for his children comes through strongly in this book and this is why, I think, a parent can get just as much enjoyment out of reading The Galaxy Boys - they may even find that they begin to understand their own children better as a result of having done so. I was pleased that this book did not attempt to portray all adults as idiots and that it allowed the children to form caring relationships with kind and likeable oldiesA". Another plus was that many children's book can lose sight of what they are trying to achieve but The Galaxy Boys aims to entertain, never loses site of this, and does its job perfectly. Full of neat gadgets, great characters and an open-ended storyline this is one book that actually deserves a sequel. Congratulations to Andrew Steele on a fantastic and highly entertaining debut. The Galaxy Boys and The Sphere is highly recommended for children aged 10 and upward who love adventure. --fantasybookreview

About the Author

Andrew Steele is an author of children's stories. He lives in Tacoma, Washington. 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 285 pages
• Publisher: Janus Publishing Co (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857566777
• ISBN-13: 978-1857566772
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,896,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A read that many young readers will relish, April 18, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Galaxy Boys and the Sphere (Paperback)

Orphans one day, intergalactic space travelers the next. "The Galaxy Boys and the Sphere" follows four young brothers as they come across this exciting new lifestyle of racing across the galaxy. It'd be cooler if they weren't being chased and fleeing from their lives, though. An offbeat and original science fiction adventure for younger-adult readers, "The Galaxy Boys" is a read that many young readers will relish.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Inconsistent, amaeurish mediocre story development, November 28, 2007

By 

HSLee "Laughter brings happiness" (Global Trotter) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Galaxy Boys and the Sphere (Hardcover)

I just bought this book for my nephew's birthday. And, he could not even finish reading it and wished to return it to the store. And, unlike the cover pictures, I could not believe the storyline is rather banal and characters are not-so-creative. The author probably tried to recap the brotherhood once he cherished in his time. But it is distracting and inconsistent in the story development. And, I don't find any genuine lesson that children can truly believe. Maybe the author did not believe in it or did not know how to engage himself with the readers-children. I would not recommend this book to any children I know. Major Disappointment!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, funny and very touching!, July 18, 2008

By 

A. Varona - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Galaxy Boys and the Sphere (Paperback)

This story is almost believable -- that four brothers could travel the galaxy. Maybe some day. It had good laughs and GREAT characters without any contrivance. It's so visually exciting that it's easy to see how this would make a fantastic movie. I can't recommend this more highly to young children and young adults.