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Ambassador
Gabe Fuentes is in for the ride of his life when he becomes Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy in this alien sci-fi adventure from the National Book Award–winning author of Goblin Secrets.
Gabe Fuentes is reading under the covers one summer night when he is interrupted by a creature who looks like a purple sock puppet. The sock puppet introduces himself as the Envoy and asks if Gabe wants to be Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy. What sane eleven-year-old could refuse?
Some ingenious tinkering with the washing machine sends Gabe’s “entangled” self out to the center of the galaxy. There he finds that Earth is in the path of a destructive alien force—and Gabe himself is the target of an assassination plot. Exactly who wants him out of the way? And why?
Back home, Gabe discovers that his undocumented immigrant parents are in danger of being deported. Can Gabe survive long enough to solve two sets of “alien” problems? He runs for his life, through Minneapolis and outer space, in this fast-paced adventure from a National Book Award–winning author.
“Physics lovers will enjoy this clever series opener—but so will those who enjoy comedy, politics, diplomacy or strange-looking aliens” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
Gabe Fuentes is reading under the covers one summer night when he is interrupted by a creature who looks like a purple sock puppet. The sock puppet introduces himself as the Envoy and asks if Gabe wants to be Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy. What sane eleven-year-old could refuse?
Some ingenious tinkering with the washing machine sends Gabe’s “entangled” self out to the center of the galaxy. There he finds that Earth is in the path of a destructive alien force—and Gabe himself is the target of an assassination plot. Exactly who wants him out of the way? And why?
Back home, Gabe discovers that his undocumented immigrant parents are in danger of being deported. Can Gabe survive long enough to solve two sets of “alien” problems? He runs for his life, through Minneapolis and outer space, in this fast-paced adventure from a National Book Award–winning author.
“Physics lovers will enjoy this clever series opener—but so will those who enjoy comedy, politics, diplomacy or strange-looking aliens” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
Audiobook
First published September 1, 2014
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About the author
William Alexander
14 books131 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
William Alexander won the National Book Award in 2012 for his first book, Goblin Secrets, and the Earphones Award for his narration of the audiobook. He has since written three more novels for Middle Grade audiences: Ghoulish Song, Ambassador, and Nomad.
Will is Cuban-American. He studied theater and folklore at Oberlin College, English at the University of Vermont, and creative writing at the Clarion Workshop. He currently teaches at the Vermont College of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Source: William Alexander's website
William Alexander won the National Book Award in 2012 for his first book, Goblin Secrets, and the Earphones Award for his narration of the audiobook. He has since written three more novels for Middle Grade audiences: Ghoulish Song, Ambassador, and Nomad.
Will is Cuban-American. He studied theater and folklore at Oberlin College, English at the University of Vermont, and creative writing at the Clarion Workshop. He currently teaches at the Vermont College of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Source: William Alexander's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
September 26, 2014
Ambassador possesses a genuinely imaginative premise, an exciting plot that introduces a colorful and diverse science-fiction universe, and a sequel bait ending. I really hope they intend to turn this book into a series. I can see it eating kids brains in the same way Monica Hugues ate mine when I was short.
We pay a lot of lip service to the idea of finding non-violent solutions to problems. One of the things that really impressed me about this book is that this book actually means it. Gabe's survival and success as an ambassador depends on his ability to read people and understand their motivations-and this is true in both the real world and in the greater galaxy. I want to see more books like this.
We pay a lot of lip service to the idea of finding non-violent solutions to problems. One of the things that really impressed me about this book is that this book actually means it. Gabe's survival and success as an ambassador depends on his ability to read people and understand their motivations-and this is true in both the real world and in the greater galaxy. I want to see more books like this.
March 2, 2015
Like all of William Alexander's writing, 'Ambassador' is a joy to read. Clean, clear prose and good pacing. Wholesome sci-fi suitable for almost everyone middle grade and beyond. The parallels between aliens from other planets and aliens from other countries is well done.
If you ever get the chance to catch William live, you really should. His theater background makes him an excellent live reader. You may want to check out the audiobook version in which the author reads his own writing,
I will warn you that the book ends leaving the major plotlines unresolved. Reduced my rating from 5 stars down to 4 because of this, but still a quality read that will leave you longing for the sequel.
If you ever get the chance to catch William live, you really should. His theater background makes him an excellent live reader. You may want to check out the audiobook version in which the author reads his own writing,
I will warn you that the book ends leaving the major plotlines unresolved. Reduced my rating from 5 stars down to 4 because of this, but still a quality read that will leave you longing for the sequel.
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March 3, 2014This better have a sequel!
November 24, 2014
Modern day Minneapolis finds Gabe Fuentes babysitting his two younger siblings at the playground and surreptitiously chatting with his best friend. They aren’t suppose to be chatting. After all, their last get together involved a home made rocket and a small fire. Essentially, they have been grounded from each other for at least the summer. With a heavy heart, Gabe heads home with the twins in tow to his parents and his older sister. His parents are Mexicans that met in India and their homecooking is a fusion of the two cultures. Yum!
But I digress. You want to hear about the aliens. OK, so Gabe has an assortment of small unwanted pets he took in – a little fox, a bird, a lizard. And one night this sock puppet being pops into his room for a chat. He is Envoy and he is looking for a likely candidate from Earth to act as an Ambassador for the entire planet at the galactic assembly. Gabe is naturally intimidated by the offer but decides to give it a go anyways. Envoy proceeds to the basement where he uses odd bits and the clothes dryer to create an entagler to send the entangled Gabe to the galactic assembly. There Gabe becomes a target for at least one assassin and has a mystery to figure out. Meanwhile, back home his parents are facing deportation (since they are in the country illegally).
I loved this book. I really enjoyed William Alexander’s Goblin Secrets and Ghoulish Song but this is a new level of excellence from him. While suitable for all ages, it had a certain refined intensity that makes this my favorite Alexander book to date. I loved the multicultural aspect as so many SFF novels have Caucasians as the focus of the story. The Mexican-Indian cultural fusion of the Fuentes household, set in Minneapolis, reflects the real life I know and enjoy. Plus, I now want tasty curry tamales. Gabe’s awareness of this cultural diversity(with both the pros and cons of it) give him special insight for his new role as Earth’s Ambassador.
In the Galactic Assembly, the Ambassadors get to know each other through play. I thought this was a great point as well as allowing for fun and awkward moments. The author did a great job of capturing different approaches to communication from the various alien envoys, and also Gabe having to puzzle out the least familiar attempts at communication. Plus there is this nomadic warrior race that travels the galaxy dominating or annihilating any other alien race they come upon. They too have an Ambassador at the Galactic Assembly.
Pretty soon Gabe has lots of concerns. Someone is trying to kill him and he thinks it is another Ambassador. Plus his parents are facing deportation for being in the country illegally. I found these scenes particularly poignant as Gabe is trying to save himself, potentially the world, and now his family in particular. So much on one young man!
The ending was satisfying. It tied up the overall plot arc but left some questions open for a sequel (and I really do hope there is a sequel).
The Narration: William Alexander narrated his own story, as he has done with his other works. Once again, he was amazing. I have lived in New Mexico for over 2 decades and Alexander’s Hispanic accent for Gabe and his family was very believable; he didn’t over do it as so many non-Spanish speakers will at times. I also loved his various alien noises he had to come up with from time to time. He has clear distinct voices for both the male and female characters. In short, he is a joy to listen to.
But I digress. You want to hear about the aliens. OK, so Gabe has an assortment of small unwanted pets he took in – a little fox, a bird, a lizard. And one night this sock puppet being pops into his room for a chat. He is Envoy and he is looking for a likely candidate from Earth to act as an Ambassador for the entire planet at the galactic assembly. Gabe is naturally intimidated by the offer but decides to give it a go anyways. Envoy proceeds to the basement where he uses odd bits and the clothes dryer to create an entagler to send the entangled Gabe to the galactic assembly. There Gabe becomes a target for at least one assassin and has a mystery to figure out. Meanwhile, back home his parents are facing deportation (since they are in the country illegally).
I loved this book. I really enjoyed William Alexander’s Goblin Secrets and Ghoulish Song but this is a new level of excellence from him. While suitable for all ages, it had a certain refined intensity that makes this my favorite Alexander book to date. I loved the multicultural aspect as so many SFF novels have Caucasians as the focus of the story. The Mexican-Indian cultural fusion of the Fuentes household, set in Minneapolis, reflects the real life I know and enjoy. Plus, I now want tasty curry tamales. Gabe’s awareness of this cultural diversity(with both the pros and cons of it) give him special insight for his new role as Earth’s Ambassador.
In the Galactic Assembly, the Ambassadors get to know each other through play. I thought this was a great point as well as allowing for fun and awkward moments. The author did a great job of capturing different approaches to communication from the various alien envoys, and also Gabe having to puzzle out the least familiar attempts at communication. Plus there is this nomadic warrior race that travels the galaxy dominating or annihilating any other alien race they come upon. They too have an Ambassador at the Galactic Assembly.
Pretty soon Gabe has lots of concerns. Someone is trying to kill him and he thinks it is another Ambassador. Plus his parents are facing deportation for being in the country illegally. I found these scenes particularly poignant as Gabe is trying to save himself, potentially the world, and now his family in particular. So much on one young man!
The ending was satisfying. It tied up the overall plot arc but left some questions open for a sequel (and I really do hope there is a sequel).
The Narration: William Alexander narrated his own story, as he has done with his other works. Once again, he was amazing. I have lived in New Mexico for over 2 decades and Alexander’s Hispanic accent for Gabe and his family was very believable; he didn’t over do it as so many non-Spanish speakers will at times. I also loved his various alien noises he had to come up with from time to time. He has clear distinct voices for both the male and female characters. In short, he is a joy to listen to.
Read
November 17, 2014Magical. This is easily just as well-done as Alexander's earlier books, though it is absolutely, entirely different.
When he told me he was writing something completely different, I confess I was at first a little disappointed. I had liked so much the world he had created in Goblin Secrets and Ghoulish Song.
But here, Alexander has shown just how versatile, relevant and creative he is.
In Ambassador, we get not just another sci-fi middle grade novel. We get a Madeline L'Engle-like exploration of contemporary issues and life, with all of its complications and hardships.
If you just pick this up, it will suck you in right from the start. I loved Gabe, with his common, everyday problems, which suddenly blow up way out of proportion, with out of control black holes, entanglements that aren't what we may think of when we see that word, and incredible ideas about diplomacy, children, and play. I love how the whole book is a riff on aliens. But in a subtle, serious way that goes way beyond children's stories.
Our friend Gabe has problems. His best friend is being shipped off to his dad's house for the rest of the summer, punishment for an experiment gone wrong that Gabe was involved in. He has to babysit his little twin siblings, which is, as we all know, the bane of any 11 year old's existence. We find out in short order that his family is hanging on rather precariously to a life that seems very normal, for a Hispanic family in Minnesota. But soon, that all changes.
I can't do spoilers. I'm sorry, you're just going to have to inhale Ambassador on your own. I promise you, though, that this little book will give you food for thought, will keep you turning pages, and will enrich your thinking of many topics, no matter what your age.
When he told me he was writing something completely different, I confess I was at first a little disappointed. I had liked so much the world he had created in Goblin Secrets and Ghoulish Song.
But here, Alexander has shown just how versatile, relevant and creative he is.
In Ambassador, we get not just another sci-fi middle grade novel. We get a Madeline L'Engle-like exploration of contemporary issues and life, with all of its complications and hardships.
If you just pick this up, it will suck you in right from the start. I loved Gabe, with his common, everyday problems, which suddenly blow up way out of proportion, with out of control black holes, entanglements that aren't what we may think of when we see that word, and incredible ideas about diplomacy, children, and play. I love how the whole book is a riff on aliens. But in a subtle, serious way that goes way beyond children's stories.
Our friend Gabe has problems. His best friend is being shipped off to his dad's house for the rest of the summer, punishment for an experiment gone wrong that Gabe was involved in. He has to babysit his little twin siblings, which is, as we all know, the bane of any 11 year old's existence. We find out in short order that his family is hanging on rather precariously to a life that seems very normal, for a Hispanic family in Minnesota. But soon, that all changes.
I can't do spoilers. I'm sorry, you're just going to have to inhale Ambassador on your own. I promise you, though, that this little book will give you food for thought, will keep you turning pages, and will enrich your thinking of many topics, no matter what your age.
September 25, 2014
One of the more unusual plots, an 11 year old Latino boy whose family he finds out are illegal aliens, must also deal with other aliens and become an Ambassador to Earth among the other galaxies. Gabe is a good kid who loves science and when he is not watching his twin siblings, he is building rockets and dreaming of his future in space. When he is visited by some interesting plasma named Envoy and told he must become the Ambassador to Earth by time travel visits reached while dreaming he is strangely not afraid. The only drawback to this is that most of his family is about to be deported and there is an alien out to kill him. Can Gabe stops the evil aliens, save the Universe and help his family in time? Fun space adventure for science geeks of all ages who like a little humor with their physics.
November 17, 2014
I really enjoyed Ambassador for the most part. It is an intriguing concept. A young boy is chosen to be Earth's ambassador in intergalactic affairs by a mysterious envoy. Gabe is chosen because he watches others carefully, knows how to diffuse tense situations, and is diplomatic in his interactions. At the same time Gabe is dealing with the mysterious ships that have entered the galaxy, he is also having to worry about the imminent deportation of his parents and older sister. I thought the clever way Alexander dealt with the themes of modern day immigration and melded them with science-fiction elements was genius. I adored this book until the end which is abrupt to say the least. I'm sure there will be a sequel, but there is a difference between leaving things unanswered for a sequel and leaving almost everything dangling with no resolution. I am throughly sick of the latter.
September 27, 2014
I loved this book and I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to read it. It's a creative and entertaining work of science fiction. At the same time, it's a story that will hit home for millions of young readers who share the experience of being American kids who are children of immigrants. Their story is not told often in popular media. I can imagine kids seeing themselves in Gabe because he is endearing and relatable, and also because the joys and anxieties of his family life are similar to their own.
Most of all, this was just a really enjoyable read.
Most of all, this was just a really enjoyable read.
August 15, 2014
Plenty of extra-terrestrial action and suspense, woven together with an entirely different kind of alien story, topped off with an ending worthy of a million discussions
May 4, 2015
Gabe, wanted to go to his regular life but, the Envoy came to him and chose him as a ambassador so the envoy built a black hole then, the black hole destroyed Gabe's house
March 6, 2019
The ambassador is a Science-Fiction story about a 12-year old boy named Gabe who is approached by an “envoy” and chosen to be Earth’s ambassador for the galaxy. Though Gabe has no idea what he is undertaking, he really has no choice in the matter and jumps into his new role. Through an entanglement process, Gabe interacts with other ambassadors to figure out what his new job entails and along the way figures out that he is being targeted by “someone” as an assassination plot. Gabe is forced to temporarily escape his ordinary world and travels to the center of the galaxy to figure out how to save himself (and his family) and attempt to make amends with whoever is attacking him. All while this is going on, there is chaos happening in his ordinary life back home, as his parents are facing deportation.
I listened to this book on audio, and it was narrated by the author of the book, William Alexander. As someone who normally would not read Science Fiction as my first choice genre, Gabe’s trials, hardships, and the way he handles his final quest drew me into the story. The character of Gabe is what kept me invested in the story because I was impressed with his ability to remain calm even when there was chaos surrounding him. In a way, this seemed unrealistic given the situation, as I would have expected him to act more “stressed” or in crisis. However, I think this was the point of the character; it was easy to see why he was chosen as the “ambassador.” Though I could see Gabe as a relatable character, the story did not capture me to the point that I felt the fantasy coming to life. It was interesting enough to listen to, but not something I would likely choose again. However, I would recommend this book for people who enjoy Science Fiction. I found there to be enough inclusion of everyday, real-world problems (realistic fiction) for people who enjoy that type of genre but may not be into Science fiction. However, the major emphasis of the book was on the Science Fiction aspect, so it would definitely be an ideal book for students who are interested in this genre.
I listened to this book on audio, and it was narrated by the author of the book, William Alexander. As someone who normally would not read Science Fiction as my first choice genre, Gabe’s trials, hardships, and the way he handles his final quest drew me into the story. The character of Gabe is what kept me invested in the story because I was impressed with his ability to remain calm even when there was chaos surrounding him. In a way, this seemed unrealistic given the situation, as I would have expected him to act more “stressed” or in crisis. However, I think this was the point of the character; it was easy to see why he was chosen as the “ambassador.” Though I could see Gabe as a relatable character, the story did not capture me to the point that I felt the fantasy coming to life. It was interesting enough to listen to, but not something I would likely choose again. However, I would recommend this book for people who enjoy Science Fiction. I found there to be enough inclusion of everyday, real-world problems (realistic fiction) for people who enjoy that type of genre but may not be into Science fiction. However, the major emphasis of the book was on the Science Fiction aspect, so it would definitely be an ideal book for students who are interested in this genre.
October 23, 2023
A really fun middle grade read that expertly ties science fiction and everyday life together in a balanced blend that is exciting to read!
"Ambassador" follows eleven-year-old Gabe as and his Mexican American family. It's a normal summer day for Gabe when all of a sudden a mysterious alien creature called the Envoy disturbs his everyday life. He learns that Earth is in need of an ambassador to negotiate peace with adjacent planets and neighboring lifeforms. But some of his alien neighbors are less than friendly. After only a few days as Terra's ambassador, Gabe finds himself on the dangerous end of an assassination plot, which puts his negotiation skills to the test.
I had my ups and downs when reading this book, but it is relatively short, making it a fun read the whole way through. One of the best parts of this story for me was the parallels between aliens from other planets and illegal aliens to the United States. Much of this story focuses around Gabe's family's status as citizens and I feel the parallels between Gabe's family life and his ambassador life are well balanced. Also, this book plain out shocked me a couple times with things I was not expecting at all, which was a nice surprise. Another thing that I want to point out is that "Ambassador" takes place in my home state of Minnesota, which made me feel that much more connected to the story. Finally, I love how much Gabe mention Zorro! Every time that I think back to the old black and white show featuring Zorro, I can't help but crack up. The fact that Gabe kept bringing him up kept me smiling the whole book through.
My biggest critique on this one has to be the ending. The book doesn't exactly end off on a cliffhanger it just kind of. . . ends. It ends with a statement and when I read it I was like, "Oh, I guess it's over." I have the sequel, so it's not that big of a deal, it just had one of the most sudden endings I've ever read.
Overall, "Ambassador" was a short read that I enjoyed quite a bit. If you like stories about aliens, then Gabe's tale is sure to show you a fresh take on the alien invasion trope!
"Ambassador" follows eleven-year-old Gabe as and his Mexican American family. It's a normal summer day for Gabe when all of a sudden a mysterious alien creature called the Envoy disturbs his everyday life. He learns that Earth is in need of an ambassador to negotiate peace with adjacent planets and neighboring lifeforms. But some of his alien neighbors are less than friendly. After only a few days as Terra's ambassador, Gabe finds himself on the dangerous end of an assassination plot, which puts his negotiation skills to the test.
I had my ups and downs when reading this book, but it is relatively short, making it a fun read the whole way through. One of the best parts of this story for me was the parallels between aliens from other planets and illegal aliens to the United States. Much of this story focuses around Gabe's family's status as citizens and I feel the parallels between Gabe's family life and his ambassador life are well balanced. Also, this book plain out shocked me a couple times with things I was not expecting at all, which was a nice surprise. Another thing that I want to point out is that "Ambassador" takes place in my home state of Minnesota, which made me feel that much more connected to the story. Finally, I love how much Gabe mention Zorro! Every time that I think back to the old black and white show featuring Zorro, I can't help but crack up. The fact that Gabe kept bringing him up kept me smiling the whole book through.
My biggest critique on this one has to be the ending. The book doesn't exactly end off on a cliffhanger it just kind of. . . ends. It ends with a statement and when I read it I was like, "Oh, I guess it's over." I have the sequel, so it's not that big of a deal, it just had one of the most sudden endings I've ever read.
Overall, "Ambassador" was a short read that I enjoyed quite a bit. If you like stories about aliens, then Gabe's tale is sure to show you a fresh take on the alien invasion trope!
January 27, 2019
This was a very good read. And it is a book that makes you think, about how much one takes for granted, and what it really means to belong or to be the outsider. In this case Gabe is both for very different reason. Becoming the ambassador is an adventure that allows Gabe to process the very real "alien" status of his parents and older sister. But it's not safe, and that is something that is never really addressed in most adventure stories that ask young kids to risk a lot for the sake of their planet/country/home. But Gabe finds out a lot of who he is and what he is capable of (both good and bad), But it is the decision that he makes at the end that makes me respect him the most. I like the idea behind this book, and that it is so much more than an "aliens is coming to take over the world" story. Kids are asked to make tough decisions and protect worlds that probably don't recognize their value or the things that they do unnoticed. At least Gabe's world has no idea. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
February 14, 2024
Found this book by pure chance and I absolutely loved it. While the story revolves around some familiar middle school sci-fi tropes (alien lands on earth, notifies chosen kid that he is going to represent the human race among all the alien civilizations in the universe), Gabe, the charming/thoughtful/observant kid at the center of the story is also facing the imminent threat of his parents and older sister being deported (his dad is taken away fairly early in the story). This dual threat, which vaciliates between an alien invading our solar system/attacking Gabe from the sky and Gabe losing his house and family is cleverly and deftly handled. Like Ender's Game, I think this book really mines the affability, malleability, empathy and imagination of kids at play. Alexander manages to boil down so much of our deep seated fears, hatred, and violence to much simpler patterns of kids on a playground. Simple concept- really well done. This was an extremely quick read and I would strongly recommend for middle school kids to read with their parents.
July 2, 2025
William Alexander writes excellent children’s books that are entirely readable by adults, and “Ambassador” is no exception. Gabe is not just a sympathetic protagonist, he’s a sympathetic protagonist who makes total sense: any large family has at least one child who is adept at managing its dynamic to defuse conflicts, and it’s not a total stretch to imagine that this diplomatic talent might have a wider application. An extraterrestrial application does require a larger stretch, and some technobabble, but Alexander makes it plausible enough. Then, once the parameters are established, Alexander sets up the twin crises that drive the plot, one science-fictional and one familial. Each works very well, with the parallels strong enough to tell but not so strong that either strand is overdetermined, and Alexander does an excellent job moving them forward in parallel. The cliffhanger ending resolves one crisis, while suggesting that in the next book the two halves of Gabe’s life might be more tightly connected: I am very much looking forward to finding out if that is the case.
October 26, 2016
Gabe Fuentes often finds himself keeping the peace among his siblings and his family. Little does he know, he's about to be selected to keep the peace for the entire planet. Even as his own life on earth falls to pieces and his family battles with immigration officers and the implosion of his house, Gabe must figure out how to communicate with the other ambassadors, dodge ice pirate assassins, and learn what he can from his companion, the Envoy, before it's too late.
This fun and fast-paced read was full of physics, chemistry, diplomacy, friendship, and real life relevant challenges that kids can connect with and get excited about. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to continue the series. I am fascinated with the concept and invested with the growth and depth of the characters. I love the tone- funny yet important all at once!
This fun and fast-paced read was full of physics, chemistry, diplomacy, friendship, and real life relevant challenges that kids can connect with and get excited about. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to continue the series. I am fascinated with the concept and invested with the growth and depth of the characters. I love the tone- funny yet important all at once!
January 28, 2018
After settling in for a long and boring summer, Gabe is suddenly approached by a shapeless purple creature who can speak in his mother's voice. The purple blob turns out to be an envoy from outerspace, an alien, who has chosen Gabe to the Ambassador for Earth to other galaxies and lifeforms. At the same time, Gabe's father gets arrested and deported for being an illegal immigrant from Mexico. Finding his balance between the tumult and changes at home and his new, otherwordly responsibilities (which come with a lot of danger), Gabe struggles to survive the craziest summer of his life.
A super unusual plot with wonderful writing.
A super unusual plot with wonderful writing.
July 29, 2020
I adored this book. It was fantastically imaginative and the author has the appealing quality of delivering the profound with a smirk. The science fiction mechanics are so intriguing I am somewhat upset that I will only be able to spend two books worth of time exploring this universe with them. The way the author managed to both ground and jettison the reader was impressively executed; the young won't have to go far to understand a great deal. The book acknowledges a problem that is all too real for too many and then successfully frames the absolute absurdity of it. I recommend this book to everyone, but especially the young as the tools it bestows are of most use when learned early.
January 31, 2025
A lovely MG SF novel about a 12-year-old boy chosen to be Earth's ambassador to the galaxy. I was hoping this would be a palate cleanser, but Gabe, the main character, has undocumented parents and they are in danger of being deported. I generally don't insert politics into book reviews, but if you're a person with any compassion and morals who knows the history of our country and its foundations, what is currently going on right now is beyond outrageous and depressing, and you may need a content warning for that aspect of this book.
July 10, 2025
A science fiction story with an interesting plot, where children are chosen as ambassadors of their world. Gabe is chosen to represent Earth, but another group or planet seems intent on killing him. While Gabe dodges that, his dad gets taken by ICE and deported and his house blows up. So there is a lot going on. I liked the main character and his steady nature, however, I would be more upset if my house got sucked into a black hole. A few mild swears, some mild violence, no romance. 5th grade and up. The ending has a lot of questions left to answer.
December 19, 2018
This is a very amazing book, I liked it a lot. There is a child named Gabriel who gets selected by an envoy to be Earth's ambassador so that he can communicate with some suspicious spaceships in the solar system. He gets to go up to a place that only ambassadors can access and meets a lot of friends. However, one day he gets attacked and he is trying to find out who is attacking him. Read the rest of the book to find out who it is and who the ships belong to.
May 23, 2017
Ambassador, written by William Alexander in 2014, is an Elanor Cameron award winner for middle grades. This sci-fi is about Gabe Fuentes, an eleven year old boy who is about to start summer break. His ordinary plans get hijacked as he is about to become Earth's Ambassador to the Galaxy! This is a fun read and I recommend it for late elementary school to early junior high school students.
August 26, 2019
It’s hard enough to be a teenager in an immigrant family in America. Add to it, finding out that the fate of the Earth rests in your hands. This book has strategy as well as lots of whiz-bang and a dollop of implausible science.
May 20, 2021
What a great sci-fi with great layers of depth!
November 2, 2022
"Technology is always belligerent".
August 13, 2023
I needed a contemporary children's book and my son enthusiastically recommended this one for me. Discussing characters and action with him was absolutely delightful.
February 1, 2024
BOOOOOOO 🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
August 9, 2017
Gabe isn't planning much for his summer. Until Frankie, his best friend, is sent to California until school starts. Until the Envoy, an alien life form, asks Gabe to be Earth's ambassador to the rest of the universe. Until his family life crumbles unexpectedly. Oh, and one of the aliens is trying to assassinate him. Can Gabe save his own life, his family, and the rest of planet Earth?
This was a pretty good sci-fi, although the way it ended left me somewhat disappointed. The Envoy is an interesting lifeform with some fun abilities, and I liked that it stayed to partner with Gabe rather than just granting him the role of ambassador and running off. This makes several later encounters with aliens clearer, as the Envoy can provide some of the detail Gabe has no way of knowing. They make a good team, and it would be interesting to see their further adventures.
I also liked the science, and how the ambassadors actually meet together (quantum entanglement, multiple dimensions, and basically videoconferencing rather than hauling everyone everywhere to some base that would struggle to keep the correct environment for multitudes of alien species). I liked the assassination subplot, and how that worked out. The Outlast was intriguing, and if there are future books I hope they go deeper into who these creatures are and why they changed their minds about conquering the universe.
I didn't entirely buy the reason why all ambassadors had to be children (or childlike). This elevates one aspect of children while ignoring others---less maturity means less wisdom, less restraint, and in some cases LESS flexibility about others (because they haven't lived long enough to see most of their assumptions challenged yet by life). I was willing to overlook that, though, since this is a kid's book, and therefore the main character was going to be a kid, so it was for plot reasons as much as anything. And the Envoy (and presumably the other Envoys) was making an effort to select for actual character, as opposed to just picking a random kid off the street and elevating him to stand in for the planet.
I was also ambivalent about the whole juxtaposition of Gabe's family being illegal aliens in America (sans Gabe and his twin siblings, who were born there). I do like how the book avoids outright judgement calls, despite the repeated references to the Underground Railroad. Gabe's parents weren't running away from horrible oppression and the meanie American government was throwing them out---it actually seems they had a relatively good life in Mexico, and his parents just wanted to avoid the hassle and possibly the expense of going through the paperwork to immigrate properly. Gabe, as a child, wants his family to stay together (though really they ought to be staying together in Mexico at this point... they'd be waiting a few months for Mom to join them, but she'd make it back). And the way the book ends leaves it unclear how and where his family is actually going to end up (rescued and then living inside their neighbor's house would be my guess).
I get that this isn't going to be an argument for or against illegal immigration. I appreciate that the story tries hard to stick to being a story. I was just bothered by the comparisons with Gabe's family to the slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad. The story never says they were prevented from immigrating, just that they didn't bother going through the official channels. I get that the system can suck. I get that his family is basically nice. But what they're doing is undercutting legal immigrants and native workers, and taking advantage of things the country provides without playing the same role citizens do to support them. They get the benefits, but not the duties. For example, Gabe and his siblings go to school, but if his parents don't have documentation, then they probably aren't paying any taxes to support those schools. So I don't feel much sympathy for the family getting found out, despite the story taking pains to try to cultivate that sympathy.
Regardless, the vague ending is more of a reason for me to hesitate on recommending this than the immigration. The last half page brings up a lot of questions, and it's not clear what actually happens to Gabe or his family---did it work the way he was trying to set it up, or did something go wrong? So they can't understand each other, which means what? (And for that matter, what did happen to the previous ambassador?) So, fun science, a generally good storyline, but a frustrating finish. I rate this book Neutral.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
This was a pretty good sci-fi, although the way it ended left me somewhat disappointed. The Envoy is an interesting lifeform with some fun abilities, and I liked that it stayed to partner with Gabe rather than just granting him the role of ambassador and running off. This makes several later encounters with aliens clearer, as the Envoy can provide some of the detail Gabe has no way of knowing. They make a good team, and it would be interesting to see their further adventures.
I also liked the science, and how the ambassadors actually meet together (quantum entanglement, multiple dimensions, and basically videoconferencing rather than hauling everyone everywhere to some base that would struggle to keep the correct environment for multitudes of alien species). I liked the assassination subplot, and how that worked out. The Outlast was intriguing, and if there are future books I hope they go deeper into who these creatures are and why they changed their minds about conquering the universe.
I didn't entirely buy the reason why all ambassadors had to be children (or childlike). This elevates one aspect of children while ignoring others---less maturity means less wisdom, less restraint, and in some cases LESS flexibility about others (because they haven't lived long enough to see most of their assumptions challenged yet by life). I was willing to overlook that, though, since this is a kid's book, and therefore the main character was going to be a kid, so it was for plot reasons as much as anything. And the Envoy (and presumably the other Envoys) was making an effort to select for actual character, as opposed to just picking a random kid off the street and elevating him to stand in for the planet.
I was also ambivalent about the whole juxtaposition of Gabe's family being illegal aliens in America (sans Gabe and his twin siblings, who were born there). I do like how the book avoids outright judgement calls, despite the repeated references to the Underground Railroad. Gabe's parents weren't running away from horrible oppression and the meanie American government was throwing them out---it actually seems they had a relatively good life in Mexico, and his parents just wanted to avoid the hassle and possibly the expense of going through the paperwork to immigrate properly. Gabe, as a child, wants his family to stay together (though really they ought to be staying together in Mexico at this point... they'd be waiting a few months for Mom to join them, but she'd make it back). And the way the book ends leaves it unclear how and where his family is actually going to end up (rescued and then living inside their neighbor's house would be my guess).
I get that this isn't going to be an argument for or against illegal immigration. I appreciate that the story tries hard to stick to being a story. I was just bothered by the comparisons with Gabe's family to the slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad. The story never says they were prevented from immigrating, just that they didn't bother going through the official channels. I get that the system can suck. I get that his family is basically nice. But what they're doing is undercutting legal immigrants and native workers, and taking advantage of things the country provides without playing the same role citizens do to support them. They get the benefits, but not the duties. For example, Gabe and his siblings go to school, but if his parents don't have documentation, then they probably aren't paying any taxes to support those schools. So I don't feel much sympathy for the family getting found out, despite the story taking pains to try to cultivate that sympathy.
Regardless, the vague ending is more of a reason for me to hesitate on recommending this than the immigration. The last half page brings up a lot of questions, and it's not clear what actually happens to Gabe or his family---did it work the way he was trying to set it up, or did something go wrong? So they can't understand each other, which means what? (And for that matter, what did happen to the previous ambassador?) So, fun science, a generally good storyline, but a frustrating finish. I rate this book Neutral.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
May 4, 2021
We discovered William Alexander's fantasy middle grade work, his medieval faire-setting A Festival of Ghosts and A Properly Unhaunted Place, a few years ago and read and reviewed them for my annual December, Review-a-Day Countdown to the Holiday.
I'd been meaning to read more of his middle grade books (there are a bunch!) and came across this sci-fi duology. I passed them along to my teen son, who also loved them.
They really do read like one book that got broken into two for middle-grade reader expectations of length. The first is 222 pages, and clearly ends unresolved. In fact, by the end, it feels like it's just getting started. While the second book is a bit longer, 264 pages, and wraps up everything started in book one. I'd recommend reading one right after the other with no pause between them.
Eleven-year-old Gabe Fuentes starts the summer before 6th grade on the neighborhood park playground, watching his younger siblings, and learns his best friend, Frankie, won't be able to spend it with him. Earlier, the boys set off a "rocket" made from a metal pipe, instead of cardboard (can anyone say pipe-bomb?), and after the damage, which Gabe took the blame for, Frankie's mom is shipping him off to his father's house in Califas.
At the same time, "The Envoy," a sort of purple blob that had been hanging out on an abandoned USSR-era clandestine moon base, has built a genuine rocket and launched itself back to Earth to select another Ambassador to speak for Terra, Earth.
It lands in the park lake and spots Gabe, choosing him to be the next Ambassador. When it shows itself to Gabe, he takes the news equanimously, listening to its explanation why it chose a child to be its plenipotentiary for Earth with a marked lack of panic or disbelief.
According to the Envoy, which speaks in Gabe's mother's voice, "Adults of most species find it more difficult to communicate with anyone outside their arbitrary circle -- or even recognize that anybody exists outside it. So ambassadors are always young. Always."
The Envoy has repurposed the duplex owner's washing machine to properly "entangle" Gabe's being and get him, while he dreams, to the Chancery, where ambassadors of all the existing species hang out and "play" and negotiate.
The Envoy spotted a fleet of ships in our solar system's asteroid belt, and Gabe has to go to the Chancery and figure out who may be stealing water from us (humans).
It's not long before someone tries to kill him, sucking the entanglement device (the repurposed washing machine) and the basement and first floor of the duplex through a black hole. At the same time, Gabe's father runs a stop sign. Or, at least the patrol officer who stops him claims he ran a stop sign, and once Gabe's dad admits he has no "papers" to be in the US legally, he's carted off to an ICE detention facility. Along with his mother. He learns his older sister, Lupe, was also not born in the US.
While both his parents are from Mexico, originally, Gabe's mother came legally on a visa while his father got caught trying to enter when he was very young and was deported, which means Gabe's dad will be shipped back to Mexico immediately, while his mother is given a hearing.
But there's another twist: Frankie's house used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Fuentes family's evacuation plan is to hide out there, in case of detection.
Gabe figures he can't hide out with his family in his best-friend's hideaway because someone's trying to kill him...and when he slips out, and a laser fires in the exact spot where he'd just been standing, he knows leaving is the only safe thing to do.
With the Envoy's help, and some very clever reasoning on his part, he'll physically out-run the assassins' attempts to kill him while walking a fine-line between our nearest galactic neighbors and a species known for its desire to exterminate all life in the galaxy, called the Outlast.
It's a great read, and in some ways is a very typical middle grade book. There's a scene when Gabe has to pee in space, zero-gravity, that had all of us laughing and kinda grossed-out at the same time.
A fun way to start your summer reading!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
I'd been meaning to read more of his middle grade books (there are a bunch!) and came across this sci-fi duology. I passed them along to my teen son, who also loved them.
They really do read like one book that got broken into two for middle-grade reader expectations of length. The first is 222 pages, and clearly ends unresolved. In fact, by the end, it feels like it's just getting started. While the second book is a bit longer, 264 pages, and wraps up everything started in book one. I'd recommend reading one right after the other with no pause between them.
Eleven-year-old Gabe Fuentes starts the summer before 6th grade on the neighborhood park playground, watching his younger siblings, and learns his best friend, Frankie, won't be able to spend it with him. Earlier, the boys set off a "rocket" made from a metal pipe, instead of cardboard (can anyone say pipe-bomb?), and after the damage, which Gabe took the blame for, Frankie's mom is shipping him off to his father's house in Califas.
At the same time, "The Envoy," a sort of purple blob that had been hanging out on an abandoned USSR-era clandestine moon base, has built a genuine rocket and launched itself back to Earth to select another Ambassador to speak for Terra, Earth.
It lands in the park lake and spots Gabe, choosing him to be the next Ambassador. When it shows itself to Gabe, he takes the news equanimously, listening to its explanation why it chose a child to be its plenipotentiary for Earth with a marked lack of panic or disbelief.
According to the Envoy, which speaks in Gabe's mother's voice, "Adults of most species find it more difficult to communicate with anyone outside their arbitrary circle -- or even recognize that anybody exists outside it. So ambassadors are always young. Always."
The Envoy has repurposed the duplex owner's washing machine to properly "entangle" Gabe's being and get him, while he dreams, to the Chancery, where ambassadors of all the existing species hang out and "play" and negotiate.
The Envoy spotted a fleet of ships in our solar system's asteroid belt, and Gabe has to go to the Chancery and figure out who may be stealing water from us (humans).
It's not long before someone tries to kill him, sucking the entanglement device (the repurposed washing machine) and the basement and first floor of the duplex through a black hole. At the same time, Gabe's father runs a stop sign. Or, at least the patrol officer who stops him claims he ran a stop sign, and once Gabe's dad admits he has no "papers" to be in the US legally, he's carted off to an ICE detention facility. Along with his mother. He learns his older sister, Lupe, was also not born in the US.
While both his parents are from Mexico, originally, Gabe's mother came legally on a visa while his father got caught trying to enter when he was very young and was deported, which means Gabe's dad will be shipped back to Mexico immediately, while his mother is given a hearing.
But there's another twist: Frankie's house used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Fuentes family's evacuation plan is to hide out there, in case of detection.
Gabe figures he can't hide out with his family in his best-friend's hideaway because someone's trying to kill him...and when he slips out, and a laser fires in the exact spot where he'd just been standing, he knows leaving is the only safe thing to do.
With the Envoy's help, and some very clever reasoning on his part, he'll physically out-run the assassins' attempts to kill him while walking a fine-line between our nearest galactic neighbors and a species known for its desire to exterminate all life in the galaxy, called the Outlast.
It's a great read, and in some ways is a very typical middle grade book. There's a scene when Gabe has to pee in space, zero-gravity, that had all of us laughing and kinda grossed-out at the same time.
A fun way to start your summer reading!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
April 25, 2025
Gabe becomes ambassador to Earth in a council of aliens; meanwhile, his family faces big trouble for being undocumented.
I’d be shocked if the author hasn’t read a lot of Bruce Coville; he has that same blend of a serious plotline with interesting xenodiversity.
I’d be shocked if the author hasn’t read a lot of Bruce Coville; he has that same blend of a serious plotline with interesting xenodiversity.
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