The Jelly People

Gr 3–5—Earth is quickly running out of room, so 12-year-old Kip Kirby, the youngest of 49 Space Scouts, is hired by World Corp to find Earth 2. He wants to discover a hospitable planet and win the coveted Shield of Honor. If he succeeds, he will be awarded a mansion and a weekly day off from work or school. Kip goes on planetary missions aboard his back-talking starship, MoNa, accompanied by Finbar, his part human, part wolf 2iC (second in command). In Jelly People, Kip and Finbar, along with Kip's misbehaving minisaur, Duke, travel to the watery planet of Aquaron. This underwater civilization is populated by evil jellyfishlike people, slithering eels, and slimy leeches. The Jellies enslave Kip and Finbar, controlling them by means of a permanent tracking tattoo. In Shrinking Race, Kip inspects Cobalt, a planet filled with Baltians, tiny blue people who exist on nothing but sugarmelon lollies. Once human size, they are now mysteriously shrinking. Giant, birdlike robots that previously served the Baltians are now hunting them, and the Baltians are too small to deprogram the aerobots. Young science-fiction fans will enjoy the ever-present gadgetry that appears both in text and in detailed, diagrammatic illustrations: Thoughtomatics (computerized tests where you only have to think your answer rather than write it); speedy, high flying UniTaxis; WorldCorp WaterWalkers; and protective InstaShields. Although the writing style is simplistic, these are appealing, easy-to-read stories for Star Wars-loving children.—Diane McCabe, John Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA