Space Boy [Deluxe Edition] [Hardcover]

Orson Scott Card (Author), Lance Card (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 2007

Is it space that children dream of, or merely visiting other worlds? Todd had always set his heart on being an astronaut, but when he meets an alien and travels to another world, he doesn't use a spaceship, he just hangs out in his own back yard. In Space Boy, Orson Scott Card, author of Ender's Game, takes readers into a strange and wonderful future, where people from another world regularly visit Earth - usually without being noticed. And when humans travel to their world, they find themselves dangerously weak and powerless. Until Todd finds a way to set both worlds to rights. By turns funny and painful, Space Boy is Card at his best, exploring human nature for the entertainment of readers young and old.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hugo- and Nebula-winner Card (Speaker for the Dead) gives a familiar childish fear a science fiction spin in this youthful tale of a monster in the closet. The monster here is a wormhole that serves as a conduit to an alien world. Four years earlier, young Jared claimed he saw his mother get snatched away by it when she stepped into his bedroom closet. When older brother Todd sees proof that Jared wasn't just fantasizing, Jared and his family have to find a way for Todd to travel to the menacing other world and bring his mom back. Card works both pathos and humor into this tale of a family pulling together to rescue one of their own, producing a story more pleasing than its slight plot might suggest. (Aug.)
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Subterranean Press; Limited edition (August 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596061111
• ISBN-13: 978-1596061118
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,169,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just an FYI..., August 20, 2007

By 

Kostya_2000 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Space Boy (Hardcover)

For those who have read a story by Card called "Space Boy" in the Escape from Earth anthology, yes, this is the exact same story. I exchanged emails with the publisher and they confirmed this, letting me know that the reason there are more pages in this version is due to a difference in print size and the addition of illustrations; there are no changes to the text of the story. So, if you're looking for a nicely bound, illustrated, stand-alone copy of Card's story to add to your collection, this is the one to purchase. Otherwise, if you're only interested in stories that you haven't already read, and you've already read the Escape from Earth anthology, you can skip this one.

P.S. If you're looking for the Escape from Earth anthology, there are a bunch of used copies right here for less than $5. The anthology is edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois, and the full title of the book is "Escape From Earth New Adventures in Space."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Novella, August 22, 2007

By 

G. E. Williams "Nunah" (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Space Boy (Hardcover)

One of the down sides of being an author that has written some of the most beloved stories in a genre is the benchmark that you set for yourself. Is this another Seventh Son (Tales of Alvin Maker, Book 1)or ASIN:0765342294 Ender's Game]]? No it is not. It is a cute story, really YA sci-fi, is that a bad thing? No it is not. Another favorite author of mine, when asked how long a story should be replied, "As long as it needs to be". This is a good story that is exactly as long as it needs to be (I read it in about an hour).

I really liked this book and was surprised to find it signed by the author, because when I ordered it I was just excited to get a new OSC story. When I opened it I saw the price was for signed edition, and thought that was an extra plus. This is also a nicely bound edition making it a nice gift for any OSC fan.

This is a much lighter read than any other OSC I have read, it is just a fun little book, so enjoy!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent, family friendly Sci-fi adventure, September 23, 2007

By 

K. M. George (Tropical Queensland, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Space Boy (Hardcover)

This is a great little book with adventure, a little bit of sci-fi, heaps of clever dialogue and a family that relies on each other, especially when it counts. It makes an ideal story to read out loud, in particular to boys 10 and up (if not younger). Fantastic story that treats boys as intelligent creatures!