Space Rocks!

Space Rocks #1

by Tom O'Donnell

The thrilling intergalactic adventures of four kids in space—as told by Chorkle, a hilarious alien!

It all happened because of Feeney’s Original Astronaut Ice Cream. Those accursed pink bars entranced me with their sugary magic! But I digress . . .

Life on Gelo was fine until the fur-headed "humans” arrived. They invaded our peaceful asteroid with their loud drill machines and their endless greed, stealing our precious Iridium to take back to their weird looking blue-and-green planet.

Then the mothership took off and four little fur-heads were marooned here. But thank Jalasu Jhuk that Hollins, Becky, Nicki, and Little Gus are actually pretty cool. They have awesome gadgets like hologram games and rocket bikes, and they can pilot starships!

But there’s plenty the juvenile humans don’t know, like how to fight a ferocious thyss-cat or ride a giant usk-lizard. They’re decidedly terrible at dealing with my stink-gland. 

Luckily the Earthlings have me, Chorkle, and all five of my eyes to look after them.

If only I knew how to help them get back home . . .

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Aliens, Space, Childrens, Young Adult, Middle Grade

336 pages, Hardcover

First published February 6, 2014

About the author

Tom O'Donnell has written for The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, and several TV shows. Tom lives with his wife and kids in Brooklyn, NY.

Reviews

[Robert Nochez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Space Rocks," is an amazing novel by Tom O'Donnell. It tells of a story from a new environment, located somewhere in the asteroid belt. There on the place, Gelo, lives an alien named Chorkle who is son of the chief. He hopes to live and follow in his father's footsteps, but this all changes when a new species invades their homeland. They are the humans, and they have been searching for a rare material needed by both them, and the alien species. This novel was not only fun to read, but had a different perspective on aliens that I am used too. The author does a great job on creating a whole new world, and merging it with ours. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys science fiction, or adventure.

[Harold Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun for youngsters, I s'pose.

[melydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that didn't end the way I'd expected it to. Anyway, this is the story of what we would call an alien - named Chorkle and sporting five eyes - dealing with the invasion of actual aliens - that is, earthlings - as they drill into the asteroid where he lives. When a mishap causes the ship to take off, leaving four children behind, Chorkle finds himself in the unenviable position of protecting the children and his people from each other. It's actually quite funny, and Chorkle is a delightful narrator. I should pick up the sequel sometime.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Space Rocks actually rocks! I would give it a five star rating. It is a good book that compares a perspective of Aliens with humans. It is an exciting book full of adventure. It is a book of humans seeming to pose a threat a to their planet. There is a series of event that causes a big problem in the book. Their technology is mostly below that of the Earth. Overall, it was a great book that draws attention. It would be a book with high recomendations.

[Hubdiggity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic, fun read with the kids. There's no need to worry about space aliens talking like goofy teenagers, this is comedy on the scale of ALF the cartoon series. I actually was disappointed when I found out there was a sequel because the first book felt just right as it was. But then the sequel was good too....

[Devdas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but fun read.

Starting off,
"I crouched, motionless, and watched the alien invaders in the canyon below. There were four of them, and they were hideous. Each had four long appendages radiating from a central trunk. On top of their bodies sat wobbly round heads with two slimy-looking eyes stuck right in the middle. And on top of each head was a ridiculous tuft of colored fur!"

If this was a movie, it would be a summer blockbuster, with fast paced action, crazy stunts and some Chekov's guns. The characters are mostly believable, and there aren't any major Mary Sue characters. Well worth the couple of hours spent reading.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather routine children's science fiction story. If tou want to see this kind of thing does right, read "Have Spacesuit Will Travel."

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for elementary and middle school students. Lots of comedy but great plot.

[jennalikebook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book in a box of random books I received on Etsy. It started off slow, but ended up being pretty cute. Give it a shot if you like sci-fi/alien middle grade books!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a cute and very fun time filler. I promise that this is a really fun book to read.

[Venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chorkle is a regular Xotonian youngling, who isn't supposed to be worried about the fur-headed "humans" who have arrived on their asteroid. But when his people vote to use a weapon against the unsuspecting humans, Chorkle knows that he must warn them, even if his originator disagrees. With a spattering of the human language, Chorkle sneaks aboard their ship and is almost undone by Feeney's Original Astronaut Ice Cream. When four human children end up stranded on Gelo, Chorkle knows it us up to him to protect them and reunite them with their parents.


When I was eleven I picked up a book from the library called Away is a Strange Place to Be by H.M. Hoover. It was a middle grade sci-fi written by an author that most people have never heard of these days. I wasn't much of a reader, but I had recently started homeschooling and we had no television so I was desperate for some entertainment. This little book was the reason I fell in love with reading and specifically sci-fi. Every time I read a book for intermediate readers is, I always ask the question, could this be a book that would make another eleven-year-old fall in love with reading? This is one of those.

Perhaps you think I am overplaying this book? It's true that it probably won't win a Newbery, but then, none of my favorite books have. It isn't high literature and it is possible that like my favorite sci-fi book from my childhood, hardly anyone will read it. (I sincerely hope that is not the case) I can tell you this though, it is fun and funny, a romping adventure with a unique approach with loveable characters and despite it's cutesy cartooney cover, it is not to be taken lightly. There are some high stakes in this book and some real life and death struggles and I think kids are going to gobble it up. I think reluctant readers are not going to be so reluctant. Most important, I think this may be a gateway book for a kid to fall in love with reading and possibly even sci-fi.

Also, for the record, my advance reader copy had Chorkle stickers in it, which is the original reason I snatched it up and it is a brilliant marketing strategy. Who doesn't love stickers?

Review originally posted here at Children's Atheneum.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Space Rocks takes the alien invasion theme and turns it on its head. Chorkle lives on an asteroid that humans have decided to use for an iridium mining colony. Of course, Chorkle's people the Xotonians, aren't very pleased by the new arrivals. Suspicion, misunderstanding, and other problems arise as the two races stumble through this "first contact." (Sorry "Star Trek" fans, there is no Prime Directive for these space travellers.) The younger members of the mining colony do have a few things in common with Chorkle including a craving for Feeney's Original Astronaut Ice Cream bars and playing video games like Xenostryfe III. In spite of their presence in an outer space colony, the children are very realistic. They watch movies, play games, argue, race their rocket bikes and talk about their online friends from Joynyt.com. Although Chorkle is Xotonian, he seems to have the same kind of problems human kids do - disagreeing with his parent, dealing with bullies, not being good at sports.

Readers may notice a few similarities between the story and parts of "Lost in Space," such as the kids being included on the mission as part of the PR, unexpected wormholes popping up, etc. Between the possiblity of war between Xotonians and humans, space battles, a really vicious game of oog-ball, and discovering long lost technology, there is plenty of action to you turning the pages. If you enjoy sci-fi/fantasy with humor, action, and characters you can relate to (whatever their species), then check out Space Rocks.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[P.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chorkle is a youngster living on the asteroid Help when a human mining company lands to take the iridium. Chorkle is fascinated by the hoo-mins and steals a holographic device containing dozens of video games which enable Chorkle to learn English. When the Council decides to use a weapon to cause an asteroid-quake, Chorkle is trapped inside one of the domes with four hoo-min children. His sense of honor compels him to offer them safety in his clan's tunnels when they are running out of air. Of course, three boxes of Feeney's Original Astronaut Ice Cream Bars have a lot to do with his decision. Trouble arises when another alien ace arrives and demands the Q-Sik, a WMD which can also tear holes in the universe. Chorkle's people must learn to trust the hoo-mins and work with them to defeat evil. I enjoyed this book and Chorkle in particular. I can understand his devotion to ice cream. It looks like a sequel will be on the way as the end is a real cliffhanger.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chorkle is a Xotonian living on the asteroid Gelo, which has recently been invaded by people from Earth mining the asteroid for iridium. Told from his point of view, the reader gets an interesting look at humans and our customs. Along with the mining company are four children, aged 10-13. Chorkle steals one of their computer devices and teaches himself not only to play their video games, but English as well. When his fellow Xotonians vote to get rid of the invaders, he feels compelled to warn them. Through a series of missteps, he ends up causing the stranding of the four children on Gelo. This hilarious story looks at the opposite side of space travel through fresh eyes (five of them, actually). Recommended for grades 3-6.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoyed Chorkle and its world! The asteroid in which it lives is somewhat under attack, first from hoo-mans and then the Vorem. The first are there because of minerals, but the second have chased the Xotonians across the universe and now they're here to retrieve the Q-sik and wipe out Chorkle and everyone else. This is sci-fi from the alien's point-of-view and what a great view it is. Humans aren't treated as horrible, just fairly clueless and possibly friendly if given a chance; aliens are just like humans, only with more eyes and a love of ogg-ball. Here's hoping there's a sequel. Perhaps with more Pizza?

ARC provided by publisher.

[Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly well written SF book for the ya market. My daughter enjoyed it, which says something since she's not a big SF fan. Also, I think this book is unique because its 1st person narrative POV is a little alien named Chorkle. Putting yourself in the shoes, er, alien feet of the main character is fun. The ending is a major cliffhanger, which is okay but in some ways is too much of a tease. I would rather read the second book because the characters and story were totally engrossing, not because the ending leaves a major plot line unresolved. Anyway, I don't want to sound negative. If you have young kids 5-12 that like SF, it's a good book. Get a copy.

[Stephanie Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Chorkle and his four human buddies! Funny and well-plotted, with a surprising sophistication of language, I'd recommend this to any elementary school kid who is into aliens and space travel. I particularly loved the relationship between Chorkle and his "grand-originator" as well as the little details about Xotonian society (I want to ride an usk-lizard!). The climactic battle scene was well done, too--for some reason, I couldn't stop picturing Battlestar Galactica. (Full disclosure: I know the author.)

[Gianna Nielsen]

I think this book was awesome! In this book it told me about how a few kids from earth went on a mission to a planet Gelo and tried to take all the material found inside this planet. They soon discovered an alien by the name of charkole and they became good friends. Charkole returned the humans back to their home planet safely and all was good again. This book was a great page turner and it definitly kept me up at night. In conclution, this book was awesome and you should totally read it sometime!!

[Emily H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Space Rocks! is definitely not for you if:

1. Intergalactic travel freaks you out;
2. The idea of meeting intelligent life forms who 
do not resemble you AT ALL is unspeakably 
terrifying; or
3. You would rather wait for the movie.

If none of these conditions apply, you won't be able to put it down. You will laugh and scream with the same breath! Over and over. To the increasing annoyance of your friends, parental units or significant others.

[Maggie V · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sci-fi novel from the point of view of the alien! A lighter book about Chorkle (the alien), and 4 human children, and their surprisingly many adventures. There are a few messages about diversity, family, and standing up for what's right, but they aren't heavy handed. The only thing I didn't like was the ending, but that was a personal preference.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asher (10yo) read. "A team of human asteroid miners are mining on the asteroid Gelo where the Xotonians live. When the Xotonians try to get them off their asteroid, they accidentally leave for kids behind and a Xotonian named Chorkle must help them survive until their parents get back. I really liked when one of the kids was collecting samples from the Unclaimed Tunnels."

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting perspectives on aliens (told from an alien POV), but I had trouble really diving into the story. I do think that it will be a good, entertaining science fiction read for middle grade readers.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful romp! Funny! Amusing! Really enjoyed reading this one. Hope it turns into a series. I feel like this would be a great Science Fiction option for younger readers (probably best for 5th~ grade and up, which is too bad since I teach 3rd grade).

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 It was interesting to see things from an alien's point of view. I'm sure there's a deep metaphor in that statement, but anyway. The rest of the book was good but fairly standard/structured. The adventure bits were adventurey, the comic bits were funny...

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

bookaday #114. Fun MG sci-fi from the alien's point of view! Interesting vocabulary will keep readers guessing, aliens refer to themselves as "its" or genderless, boy readers will surely love the Xotonian self-defense mechanism: stink glands!

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Space Rocks was a big hit with the second grader at our house. He sneaked his light back on after bedtime last night to get several more late night chapters in. He's already looking forward to the follow up Space Rocks 2: For the Love of Gelo.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Astronaut ice cream serves as the catalyst for a Xotonian-human interaction filled with both humor and danger. Will it result in friendship . . . or war?

[Josh Newhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, good premise. Just didn't grab me as I expected.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think kids will like this more than I did. It started slowly for me and then picked up. I did like the rowing friendship between Chorkle and the humans.

[Leslie Barberie Blount · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice science fiction book.