Space Trap

by Monica Hughes

When twelve-year-old Valerie and her brother and sister fall through a space trap and are transmitted to an alien planet, they seek ways to return to the thirty-second century.

Valerie, terrified, realizes that she is many parsecs away from her home galaxy, victim of an outlaw planet, whose people, engaged in contraband animal trading are misusing the ancient secret of a Matter Transmitter.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Canada, Childrens, Young Adult

153 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Monica Hughes was a very popular writer for young people, and has won numerous prizes. Her books have been published in the United States, Poland, Spain, Japan, France, Scandinavia, England, and Germany. She has twice received the Canada Council Prize for Children's Literature, and was runner-up for the Guardian Award.

She is the author of Keeper of the Isis Light, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, which also received a Certificate of Honor from the International Board on Books for Young People; Hunter in the Dark, also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; and Sandwriter, among many other titles.

Reviews

[Jessamay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I can half remember bits of the plot, but I'd completely forgotten the name of it. This was nearly twenty years ago, and it's stuck with me...this had a massive, incredible, terrible impact on my reading habits.

Re-reading it, the writing isn't outstanding. The characters are more brilliant ideas than realised people. Fifth Daughter is fascinating, but the book isn't really long enough to explore her - the entity Moab is the same. The plot isn't terribly intricate, but it's damn good fun. The dialogue does sound a bit like Enid Blyton at times - I suppose as a child I didn't notice because I was probably reading the Famous Five alongside this.

So now, as an adult, I would objectively to give it 3 stars, for its great ideas which could have been better realised. But I'm afraid I'm not objective about this book, it made a massive impression on me as a child, like I said. Children today I'm sure would still love it (although they might be confused why computers in the 32nd century are still printing out reams of paper, instead of just displaying the information on a screen!). And I loved it, and I am subjective, sorry. I have to give it five stars for the years of delight and wonder, and fuel it gave my imagination.

[Rae Knightly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would it feel like to be caught by an alien species and be shown off in their alien zoo, prodded by their alien scientists or kept as pets? The theme of this book has always resonated deeply with me. Monica Hughes puts the reader in zoo animal's 'shoes' and forces us to think about how we treat them. I think it's a brilliant way to initiate important conversations with children! Plus, it's an exciting read for middle-graders.

[SBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A YA exploration of the not-so-common SF premise of human beings being kidnapped to be put in alien zoos.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monica Hughes is a great storyteller and this one involving a variety of aliens is fantastic

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not great, but the mangrove part was pretty cool.

[Samuel Proulx · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first science fiction book I ever read by myself, in grade 3 or so. When I discovered it had recently been digitized, I just had to give it another read, to see how it holds up now that I'm in my 20's.

In spite of the vast number of books I've read over the years, I found myself surprised at just how well I remembered the plot and characters from this one. That in itself is the mark of a good story; it isn't every book whose characters and plot stick with you for any length of time.

However, it really is a popcorn book. It's light simple reading, without any life lessons that would challenge even a 4th grader. The action is well written, the plot progresses quickly, and the characters are memorable. But the morality, political opinions, and emotional conflict are over simplified.

Despite its flaws though, it is a fun read. And sometimes, fun is enough.

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a child and then spent years looking for a copy when it was out of print. It was just as good, if not better, than I remember. Sci-fi for 12+ that doesn't rely on an improbable romance to drive the plot but rather takes a look at exactly what it means to be both human and humane.

The main character on first glance appears to be your average sulky pre-teen but having been lured into the space trap and captured by a race that has become greedy, indolent, cruel and lazy, turns out to be far more resourceful than anyone, even Valerie herself, have her credit for.

Despite the simpler language and limitations as to what could appear in a children's book at the time, this deals with some big themes. I thoroughly enjoyed this even though it was gone in two hours. On the whole it's aged very well. What a shame it's out of print and not available to today's kids.

[Andy]

CHILDREN'S SF.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that first got me interested in sci fi. I then went on to read all of Monica Hughes' books :)

[Foggygirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the whole the characters and story were not that interesting.

[Ryan Solski · Rating 1 out of 5]

A handy sci-fi journey through to the 32nd century. Interesting descriptions and world created. The story was amusing, although at times a little quirky...