Hunt for the Pyxis

June 1, 2015
The "space pirate" genre turns oddly literal in this first book in a series. Emma Garton doesn't pay attention when her best friend, Herbie, comes up with ludicrous explanations for her dad's mysterious travels. Yet even Herbie is taken aback when the truth comes out. After all, it's not every kid who's born to alien pirates wanted for a multitude of crimes, like the theft of the Pyxis, an amulet with mysterious powers. When her parents are hauled away, Emma and Herbie are left in possession of the hidden Pyxis as well as her family boat. Traveling between galaxies means navigating the intergalactic seas. Determined to save her parents, Emma and Herbie must face down whole navies-and a dragon-while endeavoring to keep the Pyxis out of the wrong hands. Unfortunately, both the metaphysics of intergalactic travel and characters' motivations are too often sketchy at best. The adventure never turns dull, but the logistics of the worldbuilding are tricky. Most problematic are the waterways among star systems. This method of travel is never adequately explained, making it appear as though the author wanted to have her cake (space pirates) and to eat it too (high seas). Though the book is admittedly rousing, readers are better off setting sail on Jason Fry's Curse of the Iris (2014) than on this confusing, tepid star-sea journey. (Science fiction. 9-12)

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July 1, 2015

Gr 4-6-Emma Garton loves her parents, sailing with her dad on their little yacht, and trading homework days with her best friend Herbie. Herbie is convinced that Emma's dad is lying to her about who he really is. Maybe he's a spy, maybe he's a smuggler, or perhaps he is an alien? Unfortunately, Herbie turns out to be right and when men with guns come to the door demanding the return of a mysterious device called the Pyxis, it turns out that Emma's parents are from another galaxy. Emma and Herbie escape but her parents are kidnapped. When the children try to hide on the yacht, Emma accidentally activates the Pyxis, alerting the entire universe to its existence and location and sending them on a journey sailing into the stars. Emma and Herbie find a place where pirates and magic exist, animals can talk as well as be eaten and worn, and an evil queen is trying to kill them all. As they search the galaxy for Emma's parents, they find new friends and make enemies. The character development leaves a lot to be desired, however, the children are resourceful and determined and the story is absolutely action-packed. There are many strange and interesting developments and the pace is swift. VERDICT This first in a trilogy will keep kids reading in order to find out what happens next.-Terry Ann Lawler, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix, AZ

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
Grades 4-7 Emma learned to sail at her father's side when she was 5 and has always been fascinated with the constellations. Now 12, she and her best friend, Herbie, live for sailing the family sailboat, Markab, every weekend. When Emma's parents are kidnapped, Emma and Herbie discover that Emma's mother is really Halifax Brightstoke, a famous pirate from a faraway galaxy, who knows the whereabouts of a powerful amuletthe Pyxis. Quickly learning to navigate the rivers of outer space and using star charts to plot their course, Emma and Herbie sail the Markab and dodge enemy fire, strange creatures, and portals to other worldsall while racing the clock to rescue Emma's parents. Ferraris has lots of great ideas about world building, but somehow the novel does not quite hinge together. Character development is erratic, and the novel's pacing is uneven. In spite of these challenges, this book will have an audience and will appeal to younger fans of Dave Barry's Peter and the Starcatchers (2004).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)