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Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast #2
Alien on a Rampage
David is looking forward to spending another adventure-filled summer at his grandmother's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast-a vacation hotspot for aliens. But as soon as he meets Grandma's new repairman, an alien named Scratchull, he becoms suspicious. The only problem is that it is difficult to be sneaky when you have a ravenous alien pet attached to you. Even though no one else-including Grandma-thinks that Scratchull is an underhanded handyman, David decides to spy on him. But no one believes David when he discovers that Scratchull really is an evil mastermind with a plot to destroy the planet. Without the help of Grandma and his friends, will David be able to save Earth before it's too late?
295 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2011
18 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Clete Barrett Smith
9 books91 followersClete Barrett Smith’s first novel, Aliens on Vacation, will be published by Disney-Hyperion Books for Children in May, 2011. A sequel, part of The Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast series for middle grade readers, will come out the following year. A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Clete taught English, Drama and Speech at the high school level for over a dozen years and has also worked in journalism. Clete received his MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in January, 2010. He currently lives in Bellingham, Washington with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 24, 2012
Love it! David is back for a second summer at Grandma's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast, and looking forward to spending time with Amy, but nothing is the same. For starters, Grandma's new employee Scratchull is sinister and suspicious, but Grandma, Tate, and Amy seem to think he is fabulous. Every time David warns them about the repairman's (repair alien's?) evil plans, Scratchull manages to twist it back so that David looks like the guilty party. And then there's Amy, who is so immersed in the Bed & Breakfast's programs that she has almost no time for David. How is David going to save the world if no one will pay any attention to him?
Fans of the first book will be pleased and those who haven't read the first will definitely want to go back and see where the fun and chaos began. Readers will enjoy meeting Sasquatch and David's new voraciously hungry pet and will love David and Grandma as much as I do!
Fans of the first book will be pleased and those who haven't read the first will definitely want to go back and see where the fun and chaos began. Readers will enjoy meeting Sasquatch and David's new voraciously hungry pet and will love David and Grandma as much as I do!
January 16, 2013
So far I think Alien on a Rampage by Clete Barrett Smith is a pretty good book because it is well written and hard to put down. It is about a boy named David who goes to his grandmother's Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast (a bed and breakfast for aliens)to spend the summer. When he gets there, he finds out his grandmother has hired an alien employee named Scratchull. David thinks Scratchull is trying to destroy the earth but no one will listen to him. Its up to David to find out if Scratchull is really trying to destroy the earth and if so David must find a way to stop him. I like how the author described Davids feelings because I probably wouldn't trust Scratchull either.
May 22, 2017
This is a fun and fast paced book for kids that focuses on David, who goes to his Grandma's Bed and Breakfast in space, which is filled with aliens and all sorts of creatures. Children who enjoy space and science fiction will like this as a introductory book to more adult versions of science fiction. This follows a lot of traditional kid's book themes where the main character is an outsider who finds about some plot that is bigger than himself, and when he tries to tell people, no one believes him. Through the story, David tries his best to live in the crazy setting while also trying to foil the antagonist, Scrathchull's plan to destroy the Earth. The trials David faces to interact with foreign aliens, all the while trying to save the world, challenge him to grow as a person and learn and adapt to wild setting that is his Grandma's Bed and Breakfast.
September 30, 2017
Cute 2nd book in this series. Would make an awesome Disney movie!
"David is looking forward to spending another adventure-filled summer at his grandmother's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast-a vacation hotspot for aliens. But as soon as he meets Grandma's new repairman, an alien named Scratchull, he becoms suspicious. The only problem is that it is difficult to be sneaky when you have a ravenous alien pet attached to you. Even though no one else-including Grandma-thinks that Scratchull is an underhanded handyman, David decides to spy on him. But no one believes David when he discovers that Scratchull really is an evil mastermind with a plot to destroy the planet. Without the help of Grandma and his friends, will David be able to save Earth before it's too late?"
"David is looking forward to spending another adventure-filled summer at his grandmother's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast-a vacation hotspot for aliens. But as soon as he meets Grandma's new repairman, an alien named Scratchull, he becoms suspicious. The only problem is that it is difficult to be sneaky when you have a ravenous alien pet attached to you. Even though no one else-including Grandma-thinks that Scratchull is an underhanded handyman, David decides to spy on him. But no one believes David when he discovers that Scratchull really is an evil mastermind with a plot to destroy the planet. Without the help of Grandma and his friends, will David be able to save Earth before it's too late?"
February 17, 2020
It's another summer at the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast for David. This time one of the alien visitors has decided it's time to blow up planet Earth. David is in trouble so no one believes him when he tells his grandmother that this alien is out to destroy the Earth. David is being sent back home for his accusations against this particular alien. Before he makes it to the airport everything breaks loose and David rushes back to help his grandmother and all the townspeople. What an adventure in taking care of vacationing aliens!
June 27, 2025
I don’t think there is a book series I’ve been more disappointed in than this one. The main plot is BRILLIANT! However, the two 12 year olds budding romance was just unbearable. That subplot made it feel like a YA novel over a fun, wholesome kid lit book. Plus, several pages of hard to follow, intricate detailed information around one event (I.e. the quicksand, breaking into Scratchull’s room). I’m just really disappointed because this plot had the potential to be a favorite.
August 7, 2019
My 10 yr old daughter who isn't the strongest reader, yet, was intimidated by this book and the amount of words/pages. I read it, and found it quite entertaining & a quick read. It would be a fun one to read with those kids still struggling. Intergalactic B & B - the antics & storyline possibilities could be endless!
December 26, 2017
More hilarity and intrigue at the Intergalactic B&B! Just as funny and wild as the first one! I read this aloud to my kiddos, and we all loved it!
October 24, 2016
Just as amazing as the others.
April 23, 2014
In his second summer at the Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast, David (formerly "Scrub") Elliott expects to enjoy his time with Grandma, his sweetheart Amy, and a houseful of extraterrestrial tourists. But things get off to a disappointing start, and get worse from there. First, he suspects that the new alien handyman is up to no good. But far from being able to convince anyone to listen to his concerns, David soon learns that Grandma, Amy, and her security-chief Dad trust skull-faced Scratchull more than they trust him. The more he tries to prove his suspicions, the more Scratchull makes him look like a fool—or worse.
Then David realizes that nothing less than the survival of Earth is at stake, but for his efforts to save the planet he gets into even worse trouble. Just when he is about to be sent home in disgrace, he recognizes Scratchull's final, villainous plan to escape from his exile on Earth, a plan to turn the town's Pioneer Day celebration into a cosmic scene of terror.
Yes, David has a rough summer. His good-humored character is put to another severe test, as he faces discouragement, desperation, and the disappointment of the people he cares about. Plus, he has to deal with a missing Sasquatch, a forest meadow that suddenly turns into quicksand, a river that suddenly turns into a glacier, and a gooey alien who keeps losing bits of himself. Meanwhile, he is put in charge of a dog-like alien who needs constant exercise and who, if not fed hugely and often, may eat them out of house and home. Literally. And, after all, saving the world is a lot of responsibility for a thirteen-year-old boy.
I enjoyed the first book in the "Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast" series, but I think this second book is even better. It deftly combines the weirdness of visitors from other planets with comedy, wit, thrilling sci-fi danger, and a warm glow of puppy love (in more than one sense). The sinister genius of Scratchull's gadgets, the aftereffects of Grandma's scones, the furniture-chewing antics of the creature known as Snarffle, and the sarcastic retorts of the toothpick-chewing ex-sheriff Tate, fill what might otherwise be a predictable, formulaic story with creative touches. I am eager to beam up to Book 3, Aliens in Disguise.
Then David realizes that nothing less than the survival of Earth is at stake, but for his efforts to save the planet he gets into even worse trouble. Just when he is about to be sent home in disgrace, he recognizes Scratchull's final, villainous plan to escape from his exile on Earth, a plan to turn the town's Pioneer Day celebration into a cosmic scene of terror.
Yes, David has a rough summer. His good-humored character is put to another severe test, as he faces discouragement, desperation, and the disappointment of the people he cares about. Plus, he has to deal with a missing Sasquatch, a forest meadow that suddenly turns into quicksand, a river that suddenly turns into a glacier, and a gooey alien who keeps losing bits of himself. Meanwhile, he is put in charge of a dog-like alien who needs constant exercise and who, if not fed hugely and often, may eat them out of house and home. Literally. And, after all, saving the world is a lot of responsibility for a thirteen-year-old boy.
I enjoyed the first book in the "Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast" series, but I think this second book is even better. It deftly combines the weirdness of visitors from other planets with comedy, wit, thrilling sci-fi danger, and a warm glow of puppy love (in more than one sense). The sinister genius of Scratchull's gadgets, the aftereffects of Grandma's scones, the furniture-chewing antics of the creature known as Snarffle, and the sarcastic retorts of the toothpick-chewing ex-sheriff Tate, fill what might otherwise be a predictable, formulaic story with creative touches. I am eager to beam up to Book 3, Aliens in Disguise.
August 20, 2012
"Alien on a Rampage" by Clete Barrett Smith is the sequel to "Aliens on Vacation." In both stories, Smith entertains the reader with his cleverly constructed and wildly creative characters -- some of whom are literally out of this world.
David is eagerly anticipating spending the summer at his grandmother's wild bed and breakfast where aliens are the guests and you never know what creature will come out of a guest room. In the first book, it was David's first summer at the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast, but this summer brings some changes.
David's crush from the first book, the brainy science-lover Amy, and her father now work at the bed and breakfast. Her father is the head of security and works for the Intergalactic police. Amy runs programs for both seniors and children.
There is a new worker, however, whom David instinctively does not trust. Scratchull (his real name is unpronounceable), the new handyman, is a very hostile alien. "His skin was bone white and smooth all over, making his head look like a skull. The dark purple lips and black eyes didn't help much." When David tries to be pleasant, Scratchull responds with a sneer revealing sharp teeth.
When a small purple creature comes bounding through the transporter in David's room, he is resigned to spending his summer watching out for this Snarffle. He soon realizes how much that job entails when the creature (who bonds to David quickly and absolutely) eats the furniture in David's room when David forgets to feed it.
Read the whole review at: http://www.examiner.com/review/alien-...
David is eagerly anticipating spending the summer at his grandmother's wild bed and breakfast where aliens are the guests and you never know what creature will come out of a guest room. In the first book, it was David's first summer at the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast, but this summer brings some changes.
David's crush from the first book, the brainy science-lover Amy, and her father now work at the bed and breakfast. Her father is the head of security and works for the Intergalactic police. Amy runs programs for both seniors and children.
There is a new worker, however, whom David instinctively does not trust. Scratchull (his real name is unpronounceable), the new handyman, is a very hostile alien. "His skin was bone white and smooth all over, making his head look like a skull. The dark purple lips and black eyes didn't help much." When David tries to be pleasant, Scratchull responds with a sneer revealing sharp teeth.
When a small purple creature comes bounding through the transporter in David's room, he is resigned to spending his summer watching out for this Snarffle. He soon realizes how much that job entails when the creature (who bonds to David quickly and absolutely) eats the furniture in David's room when David forgets to feed it.
Read the whole review at: http://www.examiner.com/review/alien-...
June 24, 2012
It's interesting that at first I was not enjoying this book nearly as much as the first volume in the series. I was struggling with how David's grandmother and Amy could both keep siding with the new handy man, Scratchull, over him. And the book starts a little slower than the first. But by the end it more than made up for it.
In this story, it is a year after the first. David is back in the Pacific Northwest at his grandmother's Bed and Breakfast and looking forward to a great summer with his grandmother and Amy. He is hoping to get some time alone with Amy and to renew and maybe expand their friendship. But from the moment he arrives, things are awkward. First there is another new employee, an alien by the name of Scratchull, and from the start David sees something sinister in him that no one else seems to notice. And things go from bad to worse. As David tries to prove that Scratchull is not what he appears, Scratchull always seems to be one step ahead. David knows the truth but cannot get anyone to believe him.
This story is well-written, it is enjoyable. I love the characters and the concept. I liked the first book a little better but cannot wait for book three to see what adventures they will have next at the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast! So pick up the book and be prepared for some surprises along the way.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Clete Barrett Smith.
In this story, it is a year after the first. David is back in the Pacific Northwest at his grandmother's Bed and Breakfast and looking forward to a great summer with his grandmother and Amy. He is hoping to get some time alone with Amy and to renew and maybe expand their friendship. But from the moment he arrives, things are awkward. First there is another new employee, an alien by the name of Scratchull, and from the start David sees something sinister in him that no one else seems to notice. And things go from bad to worse. As David tries to prove that Scratchull is not what he appears, Scratchull always seems to be one step ahead. David knows the truth but cannot get anyone to believe him.
This story is well-written, it is enjoyable. I love the characters and the concept. I liked the first book a little better but cannot wait for book three to see what adventures they will have next at the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast! So pick up the book and be prepared for some surprises along the way.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Clete Barrett Smith.
June 5, 2012
Alien on a Rampage is the sequel to Aliens on Vacation. This book begins with David returning to his grandmother's bed and breakfast for a second summer. He's excited for another vacation full of responsibility and adventure. Things aren't all he thought they would be. Amy has taken over a lot of responsibility and Grandma's creepy alien repairman Scratchell seems to be hiding something big. Can David save the hotel and the world?
This sequel was just as good as the first book in the series. The mystery was more serious than in the first book but still filled with humor. A great addition to this book was David's alien pet with an insatiable appetite. I laughed and smiled and couldn't put the book down until I finished it. It reads like a funny Disney channel movie.
Appropriateness: There is no adult content in this book and is has a great message. I recommend this book to boys and girls 10-14 with it being completely appropriate for younger readers who aren't overwhelmed with the size of the book.
ARC provided by publisher
This sequel was just as good as the first book in the series. The mystery was more serious than in the first book but still filled with humor. A great addition to this book was David's alien pet with an insatiable appetite. I laughed and smiled and couldn't put the book down until I finished it. It reads like a funny Disney channel movie.
Appropriateness: There is no adult content in this book and is has a great message. I recommend this book to boys and girls 10-14 with it being completely appropriate for younger readers who aren't overwhelmed with the size of the book.
ARC provided by publisher
June 16, 2016
Very fun read.
I pretty much liked the first one, but this sequel was a major step up in my opinion. The plot was a lot more complex with intrigue and twists down to the end. I finished it in one day so I can safely say it held my attention. Just like the first book this was a fun read that never took itself too seriously, but it also managed to add greater depth and a real sense of danger.
The first person narrative was very well done, and served to both describe unfolding events and David's emotions in a charming yet eloquent way. David's inner monologue was phrased perfectly to match his character which is the gold standard of first person POV as far as I'm concerned. There were slightly slow moments part way through where waiting for the bad guy to be discovered wore a little thin. But mostly I was impressed by the details that were patiently described in this story.
Overall a very enjoyable read, and nice to see a sequel grow from its previous weaknesses.
I pretty much liked the first one, but this sequel was a major step up in my opinion. The plot was a lot more complex with intrigue and twists down to the end. I finished it in one day so I can safely say it held my attention. Just like the first book this was a fun read that never took itself too seriously, but it also managed to add greater depth and a real sense of danger.
The first person narrative was very well done, and served to both describe unfolding events and David's emotions in a charming yet eloquent way. David's inner monologue was phrased perfectly to match his character which is the gold standard of first person POV as far as I'm concerned. There were slightly slow moments part way through where waiting for the bad guy to be discovered wore a little thin. But mostly I was impressed by the details that were patiently described in this story.
Overall a very enjoyable read, and nice to see a sequel grow from its previous weaknesses.
August 3, 2012
This is not a children's scifi novel! This scifi adventure by Clete Barrett Smith is a very, very clever story about a boy on vacation at his grandmother Bed & Breakfast, and this B & B serves aliens from around the galaxy. The aliens transport into the B & B through a transporter (duh!).
Just this basic premise presents many brilliant scenarios for the lovers of light fiction . . . with aliens. Smith's light humor is dashed with stinging pathos as David (the grandson) is verbally "stomped" by an evil genius alien when David discovers THE PLOT AGAINST THE WORLD! You've got to read this fun and entertaining story . . . and the "dog saves the day" . . . now how can you not love this novel.
I give Alien on a Rampage 5 stars because it is a complete package . . . great story, bad aliens, good alien dog, danger and more .....
Just this basic premise presents many brilliant scenarios for the lovers of light fiction . . . with aliens. Smith's light humor is dashed with stinging pathos as David (the grandson) is verbally "stomped" by an evil genius alien when David discovers THE PLOT AGAINST THE WORLD! You've got to read this fun and entertaining story . . . and the "dog saves the day" . . . now how can you not love this novel.
I give Alien on a Rampage 5 stars because it is a complete package . . . great story, bad aliens, good alien dog, danger and more .....
June 9, 2013
Durn good. Picking up where "Aliens on Vacation" left off, Smith weaves a fun (if not completely far-fetched) story. In "Alien on a Rampage", young David returns to his grandmother's strange and wonderful bed-and-breakfast for the summer. This year, he has a bit of experience catering to alien visitors, not to mention a girl-that's-a-friend coworker. What David is not expecting, however, is the newest member of Grandma's staff -- someone who creeps David out like no other alien has before. As David soon learns, his initial impression of the sly and sneaky technician was right on target -- but can he convince his grandmother, girl-that's-a-friend, and her dad before it's too late? A clever book, just right for intermediate readers (my daughter is 8, but it may appeal to slightly older and younger readers alike!).
May 7, 2013
In this sequel to Aliens on Vacation, David has to figure out how to save Earth from a revengeful alien who plans to destroy it. All the way through, David tries to get the adults in his life to listen to him but the alien always has some explanation that makes David seem childish and perhaps outright crazy. The alien's explanations are smarmy; David's reactions to them range from angry to helpless since nothing he says is taken seriously. His only ally is a snarffle, an alien pet which somehow showed up via transporter. The snarffle is a purple, 6-legged, dog-like creature which eats literally anything and everything and provides a large measure of comedy in the narrative.
3rd grade and up.
3rd grade and up.
July 21, 2013
This was a great sequel to Aliens on Vacation. The first book was about keeping the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast a secret from the local community (and the rest of the world) but this time, the threat is closer than anyone thinks.
Ont thing I love about the book is how the main characters (David and Amy) have grown up a year since the last time David was at the B and B. David's feelings towards Amy brings yet another level of insecurity to his character that he has to overcome.
Hopefully the series will bring David out to the B and B during his winter vacation at some point. I can only imagine the trouble(s) the vacationing aliens can get into when everyone in town is suffering from a touch of cabin fever.
Ont thing I love about the book is how the main characters (David and Amy) have grown up a year since the last time David was at the B and B. David's feelings towards Amy brings yet another level of insecurity to his character that he has to overcome.
Hopefully the series will bring David out to the B and B during his winter vacation at some point. I can only imagine the trouble(s) the vacationing aliens can get into when everyone in town is suffering from a touch of cabin fever.
September 10, 2012
Joseph read this aloud to Vic. It moved along pretty well and Joseph seemed to enjoy. We have yet to see him pick up a book and read it because
he wants to. The premise is a middle school boy spending the summer with his grandmother who runs a vacation bed & breakfast for aliens. It is further complicated by knowing that earthlings still don't believe in such things as aliens and that presents its own challenges. David has amystery to solve but has a very difficult time getting anybody to take him seriously. Alls well in the end, of course!
This was a sequel to Aliens on Vacation which we didn't read.
he wants to. The premise is a middle school boy spending the summer with his grandmother who runs a vacation bed & breakfast for aliens. It is further complicated by knowing that earthlings still don't believe in such things as aliens and that presents its own challenges. David has amystery to solve but has a very difficult time getting anybody to take him seriously. Alls well in the end, of course!
This was a sequel to Aliens on Vacation which we didn't read.
August 5, 2012
Clete Barrett Smith has created another lighthearted fun book. This is the sequel to Aliens on Vacation. Its Davids second summer helping out his grandma at the Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast. Things aren't all he thought they would be. Amy has taken over a lot of responsibility and Grandma has hired a creepy alien repairman that David doesn't quite trust.
This mystery was a little more serious than in the first book but still filled with lots of humor. A great addition to this book was David's alien "pet" who eat everything in site!.
A great book for young readers. ( and old ones too!)
This mystery was a little more serious than in the first book but still filled with lots of humor. A great addition to this book was David's alien "pet" who eat everything in site!.
A great book for young readers. ( and old ones too!)
August 12, 2012
Fun sequel to Aliens on Vacation. You absolutely must read that first. It was great to go back to the Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first for the most of the book. Part of that was feeling David's discomfort at all of the changes that happened while he was away. The end plays out very well, however. I was pleased with how everything wrapped up nicely in the end. I hope that there will be more in this series.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
August 5, 2013
Wow. Book #2 in what promises to be an excellent series. I gave Aliens on Vacation (#1) 4.5 stars, but Alien on a Rampage deserves 5 stars. Editing seems better, story is fun and interesting. A few things are very predictible, but there were enough surprises to keep me turning the pages very quickly. Easy, fun read for middle graders, or those of us who want something light and funny!
October 16, 2012
This book is not as good as ALIENS ON VACATION. the exciting part seemed, sort of, well, slow and less mature. It was like a corny tv show- he spends most of his time moping because nobody's paying attention to him, and then they finally do, and it's happily ever after! Not the best sequel I ever read.
November 12, 2012
This was a great sequel to "Aliens on Vacation." I would recommend this book to parents and youth. It opens up the imagination and let's you explore sci-fi in a fanciful way. My only complaint would be the chapter sketches. I wish the drawings were more diverse and had something to do with the upcoming chapter.
September 4, 2012
David is back at his grandma's for his next summer adventure. Again,the tale is told with warmth, humor, and an intelligent young boy who is not a smart mouthed little snot, which is refreshing to see in tween literature. I feel that David has a bright future ahead of him and thank goodness for that! This a good read no matter what age you are.
January 3, 2016
More humorous sci-fi fun! In this sequel to Aliens on Vacation David returns to the Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast run by his grandmother. Problems arise and David has to figure out how to solve them before the world is destroyed. A very fun read!
April 16, 2014
I thought this book was a bit funny and amusing because it was about a human on vacation in an alien planet and he worked there and his grandma also worked there so I thought that it was a pretty good concept. This book is weird and that kind of kept me reading because I always wanted to know what happened next.
May 1, 2014
Cute addition to the series. I really liked that this book had quite a different feel to it than the first (Aliens on Vacation). The characters seemed to get slightly more complex and so did their interactions with each other. I loved that David is the one that has to save the town this time and the twist with Snarffle. Scratchull made a great evil villain!
July 8, 2012
This is the sequal to Aliens on Vacation. I enjoyed the first book more. It took quite a long time to get into this book and it did not end as I had hoped it would. A bit disappointing after waiting so long for the sequal.
August 10, 2013
Another fun, light read in the series. My only issue is that the plot tension is resolved too quickly and easily. And yet, isn't. Still, this series is a lot of fun and the books are nice to read when feeling bogged down in other texts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews