Escape from the Pipe Men!

by Mary G. Thompson

Thirteen-year-old Ryan Hawthorn has spent his life on display as a human exhibit in the multi-eyed Pipe Men’s intergalactic zoo. When his father is accidentally poisoned, it’s up to Ryan and his seven-year-old sister, Becky, to scour the universe for the antidote. Along the way, they encounter many strange creatures—from the doglike Hottini to the spindly-legged, hairy Xaxor—and learn that the Pipe Men (or, as Becky calls them, “overgrown drainpipes”) are not kindly overlords, as they had been led to believe. It's not only the humans who are planning to rebel! A wildly imaginative middle grade space-travel adventure.

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Mary G. Thompson is the author of Wuftoom, which Booklist called “impressively unappetizing and absolutely unique,” and other novels for children and young adults. Her contemporary thriller Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee was a winner of the 2017 Westchester Fiction Award and a finalist for the 2018-2019 Missouri Gateway award. Her short fiction has appeared in Dark Matter Magazine, Apex Magazine, and others. Mary is originally from Eugene, Oregon, where she attended the University of Oregon School of Law. She practiced law for seven years, including five years in the US Navy JAGC, and now works as a law librarian. A graduate of The New School’s Writing for Children program, she lives in Washington, DC. Find her on the web at http://marygthompson.com.

Reviews

[Mary Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just my humble opinion :)

[Melanie Hooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thompson continues to amaze me with her originality. Why shouldn't there be a sample Earth family teaching aliens about our culture? Why shouldn't their kids have no idea that isn't normal? Why wouldn't their collaborating father be taken ill, forcing them on an adventure into unknown realms to find the antidote as they sidestep aliens and mysteries much larger than themselves?

Pure fun and imagination with a healthy dose of trouble to keep things rolling. A great sibling relationship as well that reassures me not all families ignore or despise one another. Great reading for kids who want adventure without sarcasm.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape from the Pipe Men! by Mary G Thompson follows Ryan and his sister Becky who are exhibits in a Zoo run on an alien planet controlled by the Pipe Men. When Ryan's father gets sick Ryan and his sister must travel and work with several other races to find the antidote and save their father.

This is a delightful book full of imagination and excitement. The descriptions of the many alien races and their worlds are fantastic. I can imagine kids deciding that they had to draw each of the different aliens (there are no pictures forcing kids to use their imaginations). There are also several great ideas in the book to make kids think regarding the treatment of others and some cool space travel ideas.

Appropriateness: This book has no adult content or romance and is not violent (although there is quite a bit of action). I recommend this book to readers 9-14.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent the first part of this book with a sort of confused puppy headtilt going on, but as it progressed (and definitely by the end), I was loving the story. It's sort of...well, if Wrinkle in Time and Flight of the Navigator had an alien book baby, it would look something like this.

[Rich Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! Mary Thompson's "Escape from the Pipemen". I had the pleasure of workshopping Pipemen with Mary back in our writers' group days and it is one of the most imaginative pieces I've read in years. A fun, fast, intriguing, and unique summer read.

[Dolores · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one wierd story. Most of the characters are aliens whose name's can't be pronounced. This is a children's fantasy that has an Earth family of four entertaining an alien race called the Pipe Men. The Earth family's dad is apparently poisoned with the touch of a Brocine's (another strange alien race) nose. The quest for the kids (Ryan and Becky) was to get the cure for their dad and escape from the Pipe Men.

I don't really like much of this book. Can be confusing at times, unpronounceable names, not very believable. Just wierd.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely imaginative fantasy novel. I loved the different creatures, who had their own distinctive features, ways of communicating, and even proverbs ("Well this is a sty on a fine eye!").

Our two heroes, Ryan and Becky, discover that technology is both freeing and frightening. They learn to band together with others who are under the boot of the superpower colonists. They have to grow up fast and decide whom they can trust...but can you trust a Xaxor?

My favorite characters were Becky, Gript and the enormous Front.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read books like this, but the story intrigued me. Who doesn't think a human zoo is amusing?

So at first I had a hard time visualizing the different aliens and caring about the characters. Also, I had a hard time taking the names seriously. Then as I read, I found myself wondering what would happen next, and being very attached to Ryan and Becky. You feel for Ryan, who is young and doesn't know what he is doing. He needs to get the cure for his dad while at the same time protect his little sis. I really enjoyed following Ryan's thought process through everything and how he compares what he is learning about the universe now to what he has been taught all his life.

All and all a great book.

[Patricia Bergman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through the Goodreads giveaway.

This middle school book is a fun sci-fi that introduces the reader to creatures from a variety of fictional planets. The brother and sister team, Ryan and Becky, along with their parents have been held captive by a strange society called the Pipe Men. The earth family and specimens from the other planets have been captured and employed as zoo exhibits. The excitement begins when the kids are sent to find an antidote for an accidental poisoning of their father by one of the zoo creatures. I believe children from 5th through 8th grade would probably enjoy this book.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recieved this book from Mary G. Thompson off of first reads. I Loved this book, i devoured it in one sitting. First off i like the idea, keeping humans in a 'zoo' and having aliens come stare at them is what we do with animals.I love sci-fi so this book was good for me, but it would be good for anybody!I liked the way the author changed the text font constently through out the book.A very fast paced novel Hope you all decide to read it!

[Leonca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thompson has done what I always hope an author can accomplish- make me excited to see what they will think up next. This is a great little piece of sci-fi escapism filled with exploration and creative species. Sadly there are some pacing issues, especially at the beginning where we are pulled into the action before getting to know the characters very well. I wouldn’t mine a sequel where we get to learn more about the different alien cultures.

[Erin Cashman · Rating 5 out of 5]

ESCAPE FROM THE PIPE MEN is a wonderful, adventurous middle-grade novel. Thirteen year old Ryan and his younger sister Becky are a star attraction at an alien zoo. But when their father is poisoned, it is up to them to criss-cross across the galaxy to find the antidote. Imaginative world building, memorable characters, a great, suspenseful plot - this book has it all!

[Gail Shipley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting ending. The creature who helps in the end reminds me of some of the unusual creatures from the original star trek series. Interesting point of view of the pipemen thinking that humans having arms and legs is not as good as the pipemen having wires doing things for them. There could be some good ethical discussions from reading this book as a group.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids will enjoy the action and the crazy different alien races. I just wasn't as attached to the characters as I would've liked.

Solid MG scifi, will definitely get book talked and put on the shelves in my classroom.

[Colette · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story seemed to drag on and then end abruptly. I expected more.

[Diana Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well crafted youth science fiction novel. I anticipated dragging through it; but instead found myself unable to put it down! Read it in one sitting.

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very fun story. Very imaginative. Aliens, giant bugs, humans in zoos...........way crazy. Loved IP. You will too when you read about him. Great for all ages.