Jed and the Junkyard War

Gr 4–6—Jed has returned home after being dropped off alone in Yellowstone National Park and has discovered a keyhole in the back of the dishwasher, which his parents told him about in a note they left behind before vanishing. And all of this on his 12th birthday! Jed has not had an average childhood, and the survival training his parents have put him through serves him well as he reaches the world that emerges from the tunnel in the back of the dishwasher. This dystopian realm of sky ships and floating cities is completely covered in junk. The crew of the ship that picks up Jed is comprised of the usual rowdy band of brigands. Jed's parents have given him very specific instructions that propel him on his quest to find his grandfather and the truth about his identity. The author does not spend a great deal of time on character development, but the variety of quirky personalities are entertaining. The inclusion of the reassembled "dreads," creatures intent on sucking the life out of the "pink sacks" (humans) so that they can use their bodies for parts, is creepy and adds to the tension and pacing.