What Came From The Stars

The most disappointing read of the year for me so far. How did this come from [a:Gary D. Schmidt 96375 Gary D. Schmidt https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1212433377p2/96375.jpg], author of one of the best YA books I've ever read? (see:[b:Okay for Now 9165406 Okay for Now Gary D. Schmidt https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388860777s/9165406.jpg 14044509])I don't read a lot of science fiction, but this didn't feel right to me at all. The thing is, without all the alien nonsense, the plot was pretty classic Schmidt (middle school boy in angst, hijinks in school, teacher as role model, principal as pseudo-villain or at least weirdo) and I'm just wondering why he chose sci-fi as the “hook.” NOT recommended.

CONFESSION: I probably only read 2/3 of this book because I skimmed all the italicized Space Drama and only read the parts on Earth. The Earth parts were funny and compelling but the Space parts were soo boring to me. People who are big fans of High Fantasy and aren't annoyed by long ficticious family tree drama would probably like the Space parts too. I'm pretty sure I understood all the Earth parts without reading the Space parts? If not: whatevs.