Alien Expedition

November 1, 2009
Gr 3-5-A search for kidnapped alien dinosaurs in a Mongolian mountain cave and laser gun battles against a crime syndicate of aliens provide readers with plenty of action and cliff-hangers. Zack Gaither is an Earth-based alien secret agent in training for the Galactic Union, a group that plans for peaceful contact with Earth in the future. Joining him on an expedition through parts of the Gobi Desert are two new friends, Jargul and Segi, and the "big, toothy sarcastic velociraptor dinosaur" cadet Vraj; her parents are among those kidnapped. The missing reptiles are Tirgizian scientists out to prove that Earth was their mother home millions of years ago. With Zack's ability to talk with desert animals, the four piece together clues. Using the victims as ransom, the kidnappers want to force the Galactic Union to relinquish its plans. Gorman's hilarious cartoon illustrations help keep the merriment rolling along. Fans of Jon Scieszka's "Time Warp Trio" series (HarperCollins) who also enjoy science fiction are apt to chuckle over Zack's hilarious escapades."James K. Irwin, formerly at Salt Lake County Library Services, UT"

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