Summer on Earth

Gr 4–6—Grady Johnson and his younger sister Luanne have been trying to help their mother maintain the family farm since their father died. They do their best, but Grady knows financial trouble looms, even if Ma won't talk about it. When handy but quiet Will suddenly shows up and offers to help in exchange for food, Grady wonders if the family's luck is finally changing. Little do the Johnsons know that Will is actually Ralwil Turth, an extraterrestrial who crash-landed in their cornfield and needs to repair his ship to fly home. As Will and Grady form a friendship over the summer, Will develops a plan to help the Johnsons. When his good intentions cause more serious problems, Grady must take the lead and figure out how to save his family and then his friend. This relatively gentle but exciting science fiction tale will engage young readers who enjoy milder action. Relationships and family take center stage, with Will's factual observations providing an interesting window into human nature.