Earthborn

Ormingat Trilogy #2

by Sylvia Waugh

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Nesta Gwynn has always known that her parents are different. She thinks it's because they're from Boston instead of the little town in England where Nesta was born and where she's always lived. But at the age of twelve, Nesta discovers that her parents aren't really from Boston. In fact, they're not from Earth. They're aliens from the planet Ormingat, and -- even though she was born on Earth -- Nesta is an alien, too. AR (For ages 10 and up)

Genres: Science Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Aliens

331 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Sylvia Waugh (sounds like "cough") was born in Gateshead, County Durham -there was no Tyne & Wear till 1974- in Northern England in 1935. Having worked full-time as a grammar teacher for seventeen years, Waugh began her writing career in her late forties, after her three children were grown. In 1993, she published her first book, The Mennyms, which eventually evolved into an entire series. Ms. Waugh said in an "Entertainment Weekly," interview with Lois Alter Mark, "I created the Mennyms because the world is too cynical, too lacking in magic. People with dreams are an endangered species, and I wanted to write for them. I don't want the nastiness-the stuff I see on TV." Since completing her "Mennyms" books, Waugh has continued her focus, as "Horn Book" contributor Martha V. Parravano noted, on "what it means to be human by exploring the lives of those who are not."

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, about a girl who discovers her parents are actually aliens living on earth to observe our culture. When they suddenly need to go home, they tell her the truth, and the book is about how she deals with that new knowledge.

I realized about halfway through this book is a sequel, and parts of it were disjointed because of that fact, more than I think were necessary. It's great to have sequels, but I think books need to stand on their own too, without characters dropped in without a lot of explanation. I also found some of the reactions of characters to huge events oddly muted, but that might be because they are all British!

[Cheyenne henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving it 4 stars because the writing in the book isn’t bad but I found the story extremely frustrating.

Sylvia goes into detail about the relationship the main character’s parents have with their home planet yet the parents still choose their daughter over their home and the main character faces no real consequences for her actions?
I’m honestly baffled at the selfishness of the main character

Sylvia did a great job building suspense and evoking emotions from her readers but the end of the book left a lot to be desired.
Overall this is a good book and I’ll be looking into the final book of this trilogy. I hope it’ll provide more closure. I noticed a review that said this book couldn’t stand alone due to missing links (from the first book) and I completely disagree. While “Space Race” may provide more context I was never confused while reading “Earth bound” due to lack of details.
Very frustrating book, good author 👍

[Arabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could rate 3.5.

It was interesting... I don't know if I love the ending. It's one of those endings where you can choose to believe what you think will happen. I would prefer some closure. I personally wouldn't recommend this for elementary age students, but middle and above would be fine. The main character is brave and determined, but somewhat selfish?

It was an interesting concept for a YA science-fiction book. It was a bit confusing at first to tie the events together. I really don't know how to describe the book, hence why I gave it a 3. Read it and decide for yourself! :)

[Mutiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this, not knowing this is a trilogy. I think its still fine being a standalone, consider i didnt read the first book, but still get the vibes.

Its about the alien family in earth disguised as humans --well, not whole family. The daughter didnt know that they're aliens, until the very last seconds. The time where their planet instructed them to come back. Then all hells break loose.

Its pretty fun, enjoyable, very light reading. Wouldnt say there are amazing plots or such. But then again, this is children book and its really fun!

[Pamela Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a fun premise--- the main character's parents are from outer space, but the ending felt a bit off. My local library does not have the companion book so I'm hoping to find the other book and maybe reading both will help the storyline. Not a bad book at all, just didn't end all that well.

[Leon Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was literally my favourite series growing up. It has so much nostalgia and the premise is adorable and fun. I'm 28 now and I just refound this little gem from my childhood and i'm so happy I did. Good series <3 Def recommend

[Irene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it when I was a kid

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the life of my I do not understand why these book aren't more popular. I read half of this tale in the middle of the day. Work and other things drove me away from it, but I could not going to sleep without finding out how the story of Nesta Gwynn ended. I was just too stressed out over the outcome to sleep.

This is the second book in Sylvia Waugh's Ormingat Trilogy. I just found out it was a trilogy , and I was very excited to hear such news. Waugh's characters are so present. While her stories are not the most plot-driven, you desperately want to know what's happening to the characters and how they will respond to everything in actions and emotions. Though her novels are about beings visiting and observing humans from another planet, one finds it difficult not to relate to their needs and desires. Emotion is emotion, not matter what planet you're from.

[Davina Cuffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Junior Book-Science Fiction

2. Unknowingly born as an alien, Nesta Gwynn finds out her alien parents must return to their home of Ormingat, but she doesn’t want to go. She thinks up a plan to stay, but isn’t on her parents’ decision.

3a. Independent thinking of the main character

3b. I grew to really like Nesta as I read because she had a mind of her own (well at least the human one she thought she had!).

3c. When Nesta found out her parents were aliens and had to be sent back to their planet, she refused to go and ran away to her friends place, Instead of Nesta accepting her life as an alien, she chose to live as a human and live on Earth just like the other people, especially since she was born on Earth.

4. Students can read this book during reading time, or as an additional book from a reading list.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earthborn is about a family that is from a far away planet, well the parents. The little girl when is told that they will be moving to this far off planet by te name Ormingat. She decided to run away to her friends garage.When her parents start to wonder why she didn't come home from school they called the police!
I realy enjoyed this book. It was a very good book I liked that there was a lot of suspence at the end of some of the chapters. I was kind of disapointed by the ending though. It just ended, but I am not saying how.
I think you should read this book because there is no summary and I had to go with my gut and take a chance. That chance was a good deciction.

[Nadia · Rating 1 out of 5]

when i read the book it was the same thing over and over again. it got soooo boring. i also didn't like that the Sylvia (the person who wrote the book) made the planning of the escape so long there was about 5 chapters until the girl ran away.
:(
FAIL OF THE CENTURY. (that is what my brother would say)FAIL OF THE CENTURY.
:(
FAIL OF THE CENTURY (that is what my brother would say)FAIL OF THE CENTURY.
:(
FAIL OF THE CENTURY (that is what my brother would say)FAIL OF THE CENTURY.
:(
FAIL OF THE CENTURY (that is what my brother would say)FAIL OF THE CENTURY.
:(
FAIL OF THE CENTURY (that is what my brother would say)FAIL OF THE CENTURY.

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the "Ormingat" trilogy, and well worth reading. On the whole this series is well written; the language is fresh and fluid, and filled with realistic characters and quirky humor. This series deals a lot with the themes of "outsiderism", what family is, and choosing loyalties. Without these ideas, this series would fall flat as just another sci-fi novel. It is very much akin in style to the Harry Potter series, with exploration of very different content.

[Lindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the Ormingat trilogy, Earthborn explores the nature of home and family. Nesta has no idea that she is actually an alien on Earth. She just thinks her parents are different from her friends' folks because they're from Boston. Not so, they tell her, and now it's time to return to their home on Ormingat, which is not at all what Nesta wants to hear!

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sequel to Space Boy and I liked it very much. Nesta is told she is from another planet and her and her parents need to leave Earth in a week. She runs away so she doesn't have to go. I liked the characters and the plot - I like the way the author writes, but I can't say I liked the ending all the much. I preferred the 1st book's ending.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange story of a girl who found out her parents are aliens and must return to their home planet. She is faced with having to go with them, even though she was born on the Earth and considers it her home.

[Rebecca Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is about a girl from another planet that Nesta never knew about her mom said she is an alien and she is also an alien. but then a boy that is just like her that is also from the same planet.He disappear in the hospital and his dad disappear in a car crash.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Girl finds out she's part of an alien family that has been living on Earth and now they need to move back to their homeworld.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good! A little strange but once you get past the aliens you realize it is really good

[Maddix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

[Amanda]

It was good but the ending could have been better!!

[Joey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book sucked

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

#2 in the trilogy. I like how they were connected.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise and interwoven plot. Protagonist decides response rather quickly, then "manipulates" parental reaction.

[Amy Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different look at adolescent rebellion--a child of aliens wants to stay on Earth rather than go "home" with her parents.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just barely squeaking by into two stars, honestly.

[David Skelton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with Erika