From Publishers Weekly
Previously Asch has been known for his well-received picture books ( Bear Shadow ) and stories for younger readers ( Pearl's Promise ); this first volume of the Orb Trilogy represents his first attempt to write for middle graders, and his first longer effort in SF (although some of his picture books have included mild SF themes). Matt and his parents are on their annual camping trip when the local dam bursts. All three are saved by helicopter, but before Matt falls asleep in the chopper he sees a huge silver pyramid. When he awakes he meets Ryan and Sarah, two children his own age, and learns that he and his parents are on Earth Colony, Planet S-15, as exhibits of humanoid species from endangered planets. Ryan and Sarah try to reprogram an orb, the robots from the planet Terezor that control the society; Matt realizes that the only real way to save them all is to work on the central orb on Terezor. Too much exposition occasionally mars this work; readers may get the feeling that Asch is not entirely comfortable with the settings and technology of this SF universe. But there is enough originality, excitement and suspense to please middle graders, who no doubt will look forward to the next volumes. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7-- Matt and his parents are rescued from a flood by alien robots who have set up colonies of intelligent beings from various worlds on Planet S-15. Matt joins two other children, Sarah and Ryan, in an attempt to reprogram a robot to get them back to Earth. Sarah and Ryan are caught, but Matt escapes to another colony and lives with the alien Dar for a while. Cyber, the robot, returns for him; they rescue Sarah and Ryan and set out for Terezor, the original planet of the robots. There, Matt changes his body to that of a (now extinct) Terezor and reprograms the master computer. The book ends with the four leaving for Earth and planning what they will do now that they control all of the robots. Space flight here is mainly a device to keep the plot moving, but the robots show fairly reasonable development. Perhaps the most imaginative part of the story is the alien Dar who metamorphose through a complex life cycle and, as a result, have an unusual culture. However, believing that Matt, even with the help of a Dar fruit, could metamorphose into a Terezor would strain readers' credulity if the plot were not moving very quickly at that point. Matt and Cyber are the only really developed characters, as Ryan and Sarah are essentially brainy snobs and all of the adults have succumbed to the good life on S-15. The suspenseful adventures will keep readers from noticing the plot contrivances, the shallow characters, and the cliched writing and create demand for the sequels in this projected trilogy. --Carolyn Caywood, Virginia Beach Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
