Hungry

December 1, 2007
Gr 5-8-Sixth-grader Deborah is having a difficult time acclimating to the changes that come with adolescence. Her algebra teacher is a bully, her friend Willy is suddenly crush-worthy, and her parents' strict rules are becoming increasingly hard to follow. Add the six tentacles that tend to pop out of her head when she gets excited and her life is bound to be complicated. As part of the first wave of an alien invasion, Deborah struggles to remain true to her otherworld heritage while fitting in with her earthling peers. She especially has difficulty appearing "normal" when dinnertime rolls around. Unlike other kids, she cannot simply reach for a slice of pizza and a soda. Instead, she and her family must consume humans. Deborah is content to eat the human prey her parents bring home each Halloween, but objects when they insist that she eat Willy. Deborah's story has promiseafter all, what 11-year-old doesn't feel like an alien at times? Unfortunately, sudden plot twists and frenetic pacing overshadow character and plot development. While this tale of a flesh-eating preteen alien requires a certain suspension of disbelief, kids might buy into the premise, but a random coming-of-age quest and the very sudden appearance of Deborah's long-lost rebel aunt make the story a little more difficult to accept."Danielle M. Margarida, Sharon Public Library, MA"

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