I Spent My Summer Vacation Kidnapped Into Space

by Martyn Godfrey

What a way to start the summer!

On the last day of sixth grade, Reeann and her best friend Jared (who just happens to be the cutest boy in school) are innocently hunting rocks among the asteroids. Suddenly they meet a very shaggy pair of Torkan aliens. One of the Torkans aims a freeze pistol at them. "Be silent or you die!" he says.

The next thing Reeann knows, her friendship with Jared is put to a severe test as they are kidnapped to the forbidden planet of Freetal-to be put in an arena to fight giant Andovian slime worms for the entertainment of the aliens!

And the summer is just beginning. Reeann can't believe what is happening. Is this any way to spend a summer vacation?

-from the back cover

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

133 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1990

About the author

Martyn N. Godfrey (April 17, 1949—2000) was an English-Canadian author of children's fantasy books. Born in Birmingham, England, he moved to Toronto, Ontario when he was eight. Godfrey graduated from university in 1974 with a teaching degree.

Godfrey was the Edmonton Public Library’s writer-in-residence in 1989. He died in 2000. The Young Alberta Book Association presents an annual Martyn Godfrey Young Writers Award in his name.

Reviews

[Nader Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning i didn't expect to like this book that much, i liked the goofy characters and the chemistry between them and also the writing style with action adventure packed.
the book Required a lot of imagination because the author created other worlds in galaxies with different species and this was the most thing i like about this book.
This is a fun and entertaining sci-fi story very much of its era (late 80s, early 90s
a very underrated book and left me wishing there was more but it wasn't meant to be a series.

#VERDICT: ( 7.6/10)

[Batsheva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember really loving this book in 4th and 5th grade. A chapter book space opera with aliens!

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this more than I thought I would! 3.5 stars. The ending was really funny!

[Joe Hay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on a nostalgia run of books I began reading as a kid but never finished. I started this in 1st grade but, for reasons I cannot remember, stopped halfway through. Was it too difficult? Maybe.

Not much to say here - this is a goofy, entertaining sci-fi story very much of its era (late 80s, early 90s). The writing is simple and punchy; the book moves swiftly; it's fun and does it what it sets out to do, which is nothing special. It was probably written very quickly by a old hand.

The only rough edge I found was Princess Vinegold's dialogue - her intelligence seems to fluctuate from page to page. The writer didn't quite know what she was about. Her scenes could have used some rewriting.

Anyway, quick fun and good for curious readers of, say, around 8 or 9.

[Kaylee Ervin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a middle-schooler, finding it on a shelf in Good Will. I didn't know what to expect from the cover, but I figured it would be an interesting read none the less. Let me tell you - this was amazing. It is, I think, a very underrated book, especially for the 90s. It was also fairly short, and left me wishing there was more - but it wasn't meant to be a series (I don't think).

If you're looking for a unique Sci-Fi book for you middle school kiddo, I'd highly recommend this, if nothing else than for it's creative take on space spies, the human race, and aliens. It reminded me a lot of Men in Black, but with middle schoolers, and more aliens, less humans.

[Sandra Frey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very action packed. Required a lot of imagination at first, which I have not used in awhile, but picked up quickly and kept my attention till the end!

[rae]

I read this in like 2nd grade and all I remember is them throwing salt on aliens

[Meredith Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

nostalgia rating

[R.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books in elementary school. I even handed it off to my teacher and she read it to the class in 6th grade during reading time. Now, we are reading it to our son. I am SO glad I kept it all these years.

[Bryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could you not like this book?

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny, imaginative children's book.

[Melissa Lutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books when I was a kid

[Jillian Osten schmidt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I could see how kids would like this story - I didn't think it was all that great. I got quite bored with it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet book that is action filled and keeps moving. A great read for boys and girls.