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The Truth About Martians
A boy and his best friends set out to discover the aliens who crash-landed next to their Roswell, New Mexico, farm in this charming novel packed with adventure and heart, perfect for fans of Ali Benjamin's The Thing About Jellyfish and Jennifer L. Holm's The Fourteenth Goldfish.
Mylo never really believed in Martians, unless they had a starring role in one of his comic books. But then a flying saucer crash-lands next to his Roswell, New Mexico, ranch, and he starts to hear voices--like someone is asking for his help.
With his best friend Dibs and crush Gracie by his side, and his Cracker Jack superhero membership card, a slingshot, and a small American flag--for peace--in tow, Mylo sets out on an epic adventure to investigate the crash and find the Martians. But he and his friends end up discovering more about the universe than they ever could have imagined.
Mylo never really believed in Martians, unless they had a starring role in one of his comic books. But then a flying saucer crash-lands next to his Roswell, New Mexico, ranch, and he starts to hear voices--like someone is asking for his help.
With his best friend Dibs and crush Gracie by his side, and his Cracker Jack superhero membership card, a slingshot, and a small American flag--for peace--in tow, Mylo sets out on an epic adventure to investigate the crash and find the Martians. But he and his friends end up discovering more about the universe than they ever could have imagined.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2018
17 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 29, 2018
Mylo has moved to a small town near Roswell, New Mexico to a ranch that is just as alien to him as a Martian. He does make a good friend, Dibs, who like him, has smelly toes and is eleven. After his older brother has died, Mylo sometimes wonders if there is more to life and imagines that life would be better if Superman came to his house and save everyone. This story is smart insection of grief, friendship, and extraterrestrials and is perfect for comic book fans. I adored Savage's first book, Lemons and this one is exactly what I loved about that book: smart, funny and full of heart.
Of course, the story starts out with Mylo and his best friend, Dibs spending the night. Except that important revelation are given within the first few pages, Dibs' father is a single dad and Mylo's brother died the year previously. Yes, there is a lot of boy stuff but the story truly gets interesting when they actually discover an alien that has crashed to Earth. In an ET-like situation, the boys and now with the help of a smart girl, the trio are determined to help the alien, AKA Moon Shadow.
In order to keep this short and not reveal anything about the plot, Mylo and his friends bond and have a grand adventure in this story and it will make you laugh and get a bit weepy at times. I think fans of See You In The Cosmos by Jack Cheng and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle will really enjoy this. I think this is suited for older middle school kids.
Of course, the story starts out with Mylo and his best friend, Dibs spending the night. Except that important revelation are given within the first few pages, Dibs' father is a single dad and Mylo's brother died the year previously. Yes, there is a lot of boy stuff but the story truly gets interesting when they actually discover an alien that has crashed to Earth. In an ET-like situation, the boys and now with the help of a smart girl, the trio are determined to help the alien, AKA Moon Shadow.
In order to keep this short and not reveal anything about the plot, Mylo and his friends bond and have a grand adventure in this story and it will make you laugh and get a bit weepy at times. I think fans of See You In The Cosmos by Jack Cheng and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle will really enjoy this. I think this is suited for older middle school kids.
October 22, 2018
I had problems with this book.
I wanted to believe.
And I was supposed to believe that there was extraterrestrial life.
But, my gosh, it was like pulling teeth.
On one hand we had Mylo mourning his brother's death. Then we had his friends, hanging around with him, quoting comic books, and the token smart girl.
Once we finally established that there was indeed a spaceship and an alien, we had had to go back and forth, and argue, and discuss.
I thought, perhaps, martians might parallel his love for his dead older brother, and the story hinted at that, then turned, and left us in the desert.
Too much talking, too little action.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
I wanted to believe.
And I was supposed to believe that there was extraterrestrial life.
But, my gosh, it was like pulling teeth.
On one hand we had Mylo mourning his brother's death. Then we had his friends, hanging around with him, quoting comic books, and the token smart girl.
Once we finally established that there was indeed a spaceship and an alien, we had had to go back and forth, and argue, and discuss.
I thought, perhaps, martians might parallel his love for his dead older brother, and the story hinted at that, then turned, and left us in the desert.
Too much talking, too little action.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
August 26, 2018
This children’s story was a real mixed bag, in my opinion. On one hand, it did an excellent job in dealing with friendship, grief, neighborly concern, God and faith. Moreover, it encouraged writing as a method of dealing with sad feelings. On the other hand, it had too much of what would be considered gross boy stuff, and the character of Dibs was more like a caricature in the beginning of the story. Those two things are minor, though, compared to what I thought was the main problem of the book--it is encouraging children to believe in conspiracy theories. Author Melissa Savage takes conspiracy ideas that have been around for decades about the Roswell, New Mexico UFO incident in the 1940s, which all have been debunked, and makes them seem legitimate in this book. At least one person involved in the real Roswell incident is a character in this story, too.
Now, years ago, I likely would have had little problem with a children’s story of this nature, but not today. Critical thinking is obviously not being taught in many schools any longer, and many adults are also obviously lacking in the ability to think critically. I’m not talking about critical thinking as defined by scientist, but critical thinking that involves ceasing to believe things when there is a lot of evidence that what is being believed is not true. (That pertains to both things and people.) So many individuals in current times appear to believe that whatever they want to believe is the truth. Children are learning from this, too. Believe whatever you want and disregard any facts that contradict your beliefs.
In this book, the military is seen as evil and desperate to cover up the fact that aliens have landed on the Earth. One high ranking soldier even threatens children, getting right in their faces. At least one child is manhandled. The two retired military officers in the story are seen as good and kind, and had to leave the military because they were good and kind. Children lie to protect an alien and are encouraged to do so by adults. (Since quite a few characters have Mexican surnames, it’s hard not to wonder if this story is also actually an illegal alien one incognito.) Decades ago, such a view of the military might have been accepted without question by many. Today, however, it’s the military that seems to be the trying to prevent abuse of power in this country. It’s the military that seems rational. For example, the military has had little interest in having a parade showing off their hot stuff, a parade that the President of the United States wants. A president who constantly abuses power, lies and believes in conspiracy theories. It was a retired Navy admiral who recently condemned the president for acting like a dictator and for embarrassing “us in the eyes of our children”.
In addition, it’s interesting to note that while the military and military officers in this story are “bad”, the Catholic church and the local priest are “good”. Abuse of children by Catholic priests in the 1940s has been documented. That’s not to suggest that all priest, past and present, should be suspect, or that the Catholic church is “bad”, but it’s interesting to note where Melissa Savage is coming from. Her author description states that she “loves to learn and write about the mystery of cryptozoology for children”. Okay, but is encouraging children to “decide for yourself” about a possible UFO crash in Roswell, as she does on her website, and writing a children book obviously supportive of Roswell conspiracy theories, the same as encouraging children to wonder if the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot are real creatures somewhere out there?
I would say it’s not the same. Nessie and Bigfoot are imagined to be earthly creatures that possibly mankind does not know about. Roswell was a real incident in the 1940s involving a nuclear test surveillance balloon, and also involving aliens and conspiracy theories that have been debunked. Children are thus being encouraged to disregard any and all debunking, and to think whatever they want about the matter. They are being encouraged to believe people who make up things, people who lie. The only adults I have ever met who intensely believe in aliens are those who are alienated from the human race. The only adults I know who constantly lie are living a lie of one sort or another. They do not want to deal with their addictions or secret lives or whatever, and want others to believe their lies, as well as lies bigger than the ones they tell. There’s some difference, of course, in how children think and believe. Children often create fantasies because they need those fantasies to help them survive their childhood years. They don’t have the power of adulthood to change their lives. Fantasy is fine, encouraging children to wonder and study if life exists on other planets is fine, but encouraging children to believe in conspiracy theories about real incidents is not. Especially not in this century.
(Note: I received a free ARC of this book from Amazon Vine.)
Now, years ago, I likely would have had little problem with a children’s story of this nature, but not today. Critical thinking is obviously not being taught in many schools any longer, and many adults are also obviously lacking in the ability to think critically. I’m not talking about critical thinking as defined by scientist, but critical thinking that involves ceasing to believe things when there is a lot of evidence that what is being believed is not true. (That pertains to both things and people.) So many individuals in current times appear to believe that whatever they want to believe is the truth. Children are learning from this, too. Believe whatever you want and disregard any facts that contradict your beliefs.
In this book, the military is seen as evil and desperate to cover up the fact that aliens have landed on the Earth. One high ranking soldier even threatens children, getting right in their faces. At least one child is manhandled. The two retired military officers in the story are seen as good and kind, and had to leave the military because they were good and kind. Children lie to protect an alien and are encouraged to do so by adults. (Since quite a few characters have Mexican surnames, it’s hard not to wonder if this story is also actually an illegal alien one incognito.) Decades ago, such a view of the military might have been accepted without question by many. Today, however, it’s the military that seems to be the trying to prevent abuse of power in this country. It’s the military that seems rational. For example, the military has had little interest in having a parade showing off their hot stuff, a parade that the President of the United States wants. A president who constantly abuses power, lies and believes in conspiracy theories. It was a retired Navy admiral who recently condemned the president for acting like a dictator and for embarrassing “us in the eyes of our children”.
In addition, it’s interesting to note that while the military and military officers in this story are “bad”, the Catholic church and the local priest are “good”. Abuse of children by Catholic priests in the 1940s has been documented. That’s not to suggest that all priest, past and present, should be suspect, or that the Catholic church is “bad”, but it’s interesting to note where Melissa Savage is coming from. Her author description states that she “loves to learn and write about the mystery of cryptozoology for children”. Okay, but is encouraging children to “decide for yourself” about a possible UFO crash in Roswell, as she does on her website, and writing a children book obviously supportive of Roswell conspiracy theories, the same as encouraging children to wonder if the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot are real creatures somewhere out there?
I would say it’s not the same. Nessie and Bigfoot are imagined to be earthly creatures that possibly mankind does not know about. Roswell was a real incident in the 1940s involving a nuclear test surveillance balloon, and also involving aliens and conspiracy theories that have been debunked. Children are thus being encouraged to disregard any and all debunking, and to think whatever they want about the matter. They are being encouraged to believe people who make up things, people who lie. The only adults I have ever met who intensely believe in aliens are those who are alienated from the human race. The only adults I know who constantly lie are living a lie of one sort or another. They do not want to deal with their addictions or secret lives or whatever, and want others to believe their lies, as well as lies bigger than the ones they tell. There’s some difference, of course, in how children think and believe. Children often create fantasies because they need those fantasies to help them survive their childhood years. They don’t have the power of adulthood to change their lives. Fantasy is fine, encouraging children to wonder and study if life exists on other planets is fine, but encouraging children to believe in conspiracy theories about real incidents is not. Especially not in this century.
(Note: I received a free ARC of this book from Amazon Vine.)
July 25, 2019
Melissa Savage writes stories about otherworldy creatures (bigfoots, martians) and human loss. In my opinion, this book isn't as good as her first novel, LEMONS, but it is full of well-crafted characters and descriptions. She throws in a twist every time the story begins to meander. And I enjoyed all of the references to things from days gone by, like Superman on the radio, black and white Flash Gordon serials, and Kellogg's cereal with pep!
October 17, 2019
The Truth About Martians by Melissa Savage, 317 pages. Crown Books for Young Readers, 2018. $17.
Language: G (4 swears, 0 “f”); Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
When a flying saucer crashes into a field in Corona NM in 1947, Mylo is called on by the surviving Martians for help. He and his friends, Dibs and Gracie, seek and find the survivors and a whole lot of trouble. The Army Air Force doesn’t want the public to think a flying saucer has crashed into a local field, but Mylo has already felt the loss of a much loved brother and cannot bear the plea for help without trying. He and his friend Dibs and crush Gracie decide to investigate. Who they find is each other, adults in their town, and an extraterrestrial family. In the series of events that unfold, heroes are made, courage is awakened, friendships are grown, families are loved, lives are awakened, and worlds become closer that imagined.
This book touches on the pain and loss of death in positive and real ways. “The gray” catches and takes more than we know, but love and friendship can bring the color back to life. The Truth About Aliens is a great story that mirrors history with mystery and friendship with family. (I choose to believe in aliens, Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster!)
By Clara Pickett
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (4 swears, 0 “f”); Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
When a flying saucer crashes into a field in Corona NM in 1947, Mylo is called on by the surviving Martians for help. He and his friends, Dibs and Gracie, seek and find the survivors and a whole lot of trouble. The Army Air Force doesn’t want the public to think a flying saucer has crashed into a local field, but Mylo has already felt the loss of a much loved brother and cannot bear the plea for help without trying. He and his friend Dibs and crush Gracie decide to investigate. Who they find is each other, adults in their town, and an extraterrestrial family. In the series of events that unfold, heroes are made, courage is awakened, friendships are grown, families are loved, lives are awakened, and worlds become closer that imagined.
This book touches on the pain and loss of death in positive and real ways. “The gray” catches and takes more than we know, but love and friendship can bring the color back to life. The Truth About Aliens is a great story that mirrors history with mystery and friendship with family. (I choose to believe in aliens, Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster!)
By Clara Pickett
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
August 12, 2019
The truth about this book is that I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. It took me about halfway through the book to actually start enjoying it; before that I would read a page and fall asleep.
I loved the author's previous book "Lemons" and this book has some of that same spirit; the story takes a long time to gain momentum which is why it doesn't get the same rating as Lemons.
I loved the author's previous book "Lemons" and this book has some of that same spirit; the story takes a long time to gain momentum which is why it doesn't get the same rating as Lemons.
March 6, 2020
A awesome, heartbreaking book about the rosswell incident.A good way to learn history.I recommend it to everyone
Read
February 6, 2020Great story! I loved that it took place in NM!
October 25, 2020
I Just Don't Know
This is a very funny, upbeat, and charming book. But,...
Our hero narrator, Mylo, is smart, good-natured, resourceful, kind, and appealing. He is the decent and likeable heart of the book. His pal, Dibs, is a little goofy around the edges, but still slyly sharp-witted, loyal, and dependable. After something crashes outside of Roswell it looks like we'll have a spaceship crash adventure, (with either real or imaginary Martians), and a few laughs at our heroes' expense. We get some nice 1947 period details and a good feeling for New Mexico around Roswell, or more like White Sands.
But, Mylo's brother Obie died the year before and Mylo's family is mired in deep and debilitating depression. O.K., that's something to deal with and it adds weight and a surprisingly different tone to what started out as a lighthearted junior cowboy adventure. Then, though, it turns out that Dibs is the malnourished and often beaten son of an alcoholic father. Is this a bridge too far? Well, that turns in part on how you feel about the resolution.
SPOILERS AHEAD. We get a lot of kid level talk about God. Does he like baseball and what team does he root for. We get a lot of kid level praying, where we worry about life after death and about when we'll start sprouting upper lip hair. That's charming, but meanwhile we have a grief stricken family and a physically abused kid. It's the forties, so for most of the book everyone just sighs and looks the other way, which may be true to the era but set my teeth on edge. At the end the family just sort of pulls itself together and turns a new leaf and emerges bright and shiny. The neighborhood goes out to have a chat with Dibs' Dad, (off stage), and somehow everything gets resolved and we're all happy. (Even in books like "Shiloh", about a beagle abused by an alcoholic owner, we get more depth and complexity.)
Melissa Savage has another book, "Lemons", that I adored. That featured a girl whose Mom had just died from cancer and whose father had abandoned her. She ends up shipped out to a relative and becomes friends with an OCD boy whose Dad is a Vietnam MIA. Tough stuff, but Savage took a stab at a fairly realistic, if sunny and upbeat, resolution. I couldn't help but think that Savage took the easy way out with "Martians...", (which, BTW, has a ripping E.T. action plot).
So, here, the resolution is pretty much unearned, the God angle sort of drifts in and out in a childish way, and we all end with a big group hug. Is that O.K.? Should younger readers get to read upbeat happy stuff, or if you put in depression and child abuse do you have to address it seriously? I really don't know, and maybe I'm over thinking this. At least everyone in this book is decent and honorable, and parents are loving, and every one ends being welcomed and cherished, and maybe that's enough.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This is a very funny, upbeat, and charming book. But,...
Our hero narrator, Mylo, is smart, good-natured, resourceful, kind, and appealing. He is the decent and likeable heart of the book. His pal, Dibs, is a little goofy around the edges, but still slyly sharp-witted, loyal, and dependable. After something crashes outside of Roswell it looks like we'll have a spaceship crash adventure, (with either real or imaginary Martians), and a few laughs at our heroes' expense. We get some nice 1947 period details and a good feeling for New Mexico around Roswell, or more like White Sands.
But, Mylo's brother Obie died the year before and Mylo's family is mired in deep and debilitating depression. O.K., that's something to deal with and it adds weight and a surprisingly different tone to what started out as a lighthearted junior cowboy adventure. Then, though, it turns out that Dibs is the malnourished and often beaten son of an alcoholic father. Is this a bridge too far? Well, that turns in part on how you feel about the resolution.
SPOILERS AHEAD. We get a lot of kid level talk about God. Does he like baseball and what team does he root for. We get a lot of kid level praying, where we worry about life after death and about when we'll start sprouting upper lip hair. That's charming, but meanwhile we have a grief stricken family and a physically abused kid. It's the forties, so for most of the book everyone just sighs and looks the other way, which may be true to the era but set my teeth on edge. At the end the family just sort of pulls itself together and turns a new leaf and emerges bright and shiny. The neighborhood goes out to have a chat with Dibs' Dad, (off stage), and somehow everything gets resolved and we're all happy. (Even in books like "Shiloh", about a beagle abused by an alcoholic owner, we get more depth and complexity.)
Melissa Savage has another book, "Lemons", that I adored. That featured a girl whose Mom had just died from cancer and whose father had abandoned her. She ends up shipped out to a relative and becomes friends with an OCD boy whose Dad is a Vietnam MIA. Tough stuff, but Savage took a stab at a fairly realistic, if sunny and upbeat, resolution. I couldn't help but think that Savage took the easy way out with "Martians...", (which, BTW, has a ripping E.T. action plot).
So, here, the resolution is pretty much unearned, the God angle sort of drifts in and out in a childish way, and we all end with a big group hug. Is that O.K.? Should younger readers get to read upbeat happy stuff, or if you put in depression and child abuse do you have to address it seriously? I really don't know, and maybe I'm over thinking this. At least everyone in this book is decent and honorable, and parents are loving, and every one ends being welcomed and cherished, and maybe that's enough.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
January 4, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm worried it's not going to get the recognition it deserves. The cover and title are very much fitting with the story, but I'm not sure its going to sell it. The science-fiction genre always comes in last place in student interest surveys and this book looks 100% science-fiction. Kids today run from the word "martian" like the plague. Unless the librarian talks up this book, kids will never know that it's based on a true event that occurred near Roswell New Mexico. In 1947 an official from the Army Air Force Base announced that they had recovered a flying saucer. The story appeared on the cover of every major newspaper. Several days later, the story was retracted, and to this day has caused speculation about what the military really found.
Many people, including ones who were kids at the time, claim to have seen the flying saucer up close. Savage's story is a fictional account of what might have happened. The best way to describe it is It meets E. T.. It because there is a comical group of 5 kids who journey out to the crash site to investigate, and E. T. because an alien ends up following one of the boys and he becomes responsible for protecting it and helping it get home.
All that makes for a cool story, but what's most incredible about this book is how well Savage describes the perspective of kids in 1947. Superhero comics and westerns were priority 1. A Coke and Cracker Jacks were consumed as often as spare change allowed. Spit was important, especially for hair fixes and the spit handshake. Surprises in cereal boxes did what they said they would do (i.e. detect radiation). Every kid's job was to invent crazy theories about everything. Becoming a baseball player was every kid's dream. Dogs got cool names like Clark Kent. Going to church on Sunday was as sure as going to school. The character development is off the charts and here's a few quotes to prove it.
About God: "If he's not going to listen to me, then I'm done listening to Him. That's why we don't talk anymore. Not even in church on Sundays. But I fake it for Momma's sake. If she knew I wasn't speaking to God, I'd be saying Hail Mary until she was good and sure my soul was back on track toward heavenly salvation."
Spit promise: "I take a deep breath and gather up all the spit in my mouth. Then I hock a good one in the center of my palm and slap my sloppy hand against his."
About cereal box prizes: "'You should've sent in for one of those Atomic Bomb Rings. They detect radioactive material," Spuds informs Dibs. 'I don't think it detects the radiation,' Diego says. 'Sure does,' Dibs pipes up. 'The air was so thick with radiation, the ring couldn't even read it. That's how I know it was working."
The way the kids talk and interact is just like the kids in It and Stand By Me, both written by Stephen King, a master storyteller. I truly hope people discover this book. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
Many people, including ones who were kids at the time, claim to have seen the flying saucer up close. Savage's story is a fictional account of what might have happened. The best way to describe it is It meets E. T.. It because there is a comical group of 5 kids who journey out to the crash site to investigate, and E. T. because an alien ends up following one of the boys and he becomes responsible for protecting it and helping it get home.
All that makes for a cool story, but what's most incredible about this book is how well Savage describes the perspective of kids in 1947. Superhero comics and westerns were priority 1. A Coke and Cracker Jacks were consumed as often as spare change allowed. Spit was important, especially for hair fixes and the spit handshake. Surprises in cereal boxes did what they said they would do (i.e. detect radiation). Every kid's job was to invent crazy theories about everything. Becoming a baseball player was every kid's dream. Dogs got cool names like Clark Kent. Going to church on Sunday was as sure as going to school. The character development is off the charts and here's a few quotes to prove it.
About God: "If he's not going to listen to me, then I'm done listening to Him. That's why we don't talk anymore. Not even in church on Sundays. But I fake it for Momma's sake. If she knew I wasn't speaking to God, I'd be saying Hail Mary until she was good and sure my soul was back on track toward heavenly salvation."
Spit promise: "I take a deep breath and gather up all the spit in my mouth. Then I hock a good one in the center of my palm and slap my sloppy hand against his."
About cereal box prizes: "'You should've sent in for one of those Atomic Bomb Rings. They detect radioactive material," Spuds informs Dibs. 'I don't think it detects the radiation,' Diego says. 'Sure does,' Dibs pipes up. 'The air was so thick with radiation, the ring couldn't even read it. That's how I know it was working."
The way the kids talk and interact is just like the kids in It and Stand By Me, both written by Stephen King, a master storyteller. I truly hope people discover this book. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
May 11, 2024
I've read both Lemons and Nessie Quest by this author, and while I found both those books had markedly similar plots, they were cute and enjoyable coming-of-age stories involving cryptids (Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster respectively). In The Truth About Martians, Savage turns her gaze towards the alleged UFO crash of Roswell in the 1940s... and this story actually breaks the mold when it comes to storytelling. It's a refreshing story not just about aliens, but about grief, healing, and friendship.
In 1940s New Mexico, best friends Mylo and Dibs watch a mysterious object come crashing out of the sky. The two boys, obsessed with comic books and convinced this object isn't just the "weather balloon" the military insists it is, set out to investigate with Mylo's crush Gracie in tow... and discover the object is really an alien spacecraft! And when Mylo discovers that something has survived the crash, he'll need the help of his friends -- and of his family, still fractured and reeling after the death of his older brother a year ago -- to rescue the stranded being and help them return home.
I fully expected this novel to follow the same basic pattern as the other two I've read by this author -- "kid goes hunting for a cryptid, makes friends along the way, and the question of whether the cryptid is real or not I was pleasantly surprised to find this story breaks the mold, not only telling a new and fresh tale but weaving in elements of historical fiction. Many of the elements of this story are based on actual fact, as revealed in the extensive author's note in the end, and that helps ground what would otherwise be a fanciful story and help kids become interested in a quirky footnote of American history.
This book isn't all fun and games with aliens, however. It does deal with some heavy themes, such as grief, death, and child abuse. It's never so heavy as to be unreadable, but it's sure to provoke some discussion among younger readers. And it can help kids deal with what otherwise might be difficult subjects.
The Truth About Martians is a fun and surprisingly poignant book. It's definitely piqued my interest in the Roswell incident, and makes me want to hug my loved ones a little tighter.
In 1940s New Mexico, best friends Mylo and Dibs watch a mysterious object come crashing out of the sky. The two boys, obsessed with comic books and convinced this object isn't just the "weather balloon" the military insists it is, set out to investigate with Mylo's crush Gracie in tow... and discover the object is really an alien spacecraft! And when Mylo discovers that something has survived the crash, he'll need the help of his friends -- and of his family, still fractured and reeling after the death of his older brother a year ago -- to rescue the stranded being and help them return home.
I fully expected this novel to follow the same basic pattern as the other two I've read by this author -- "kid goes hunting for a cryptid, makes friends along the way, and the question of whether the cryptid is real or not I was pleasantly surprised to find this story breaks the mold, not only telling a new and fresh tale but weaving in elements of historical fiction. Many of the elements of this story are based on actual fact, as revealed in the extensive author's note in the end, and that helps ground what would otherwise be a fanciful story and help kids become interested in a quirky footnote of American history.
This book isn't all fun and games with aliens, however. It does deal with some heavy themes, such as grief, death, and child abuse. It's never so heavy as to be unreadable, but it's sure to provoke some discussion among younger readers. And it can help kids deal with what otherwise might be difficult subjects.
The Truth About Martians is a fun and surprisingly poignant book. It's definitely piqued my interest in the Roswell incident, and makes me want to hug my loved ones a little tighter.
November 22, 2018
I was impressed with this author's first book, Lemons, and also enjoyed this one. Both are strong in their development of characters and time and place but especially in delving into topics not typically explored in books for young readers. In this one, Mylo Affinito and his best friend, Dibs Butte simply adore comic books and stories about superheroes and aliens. When a mysterious spacecraft lands near Mylo's ranch in Roswell, New Mexico, the boys decide to check out the site. They are accompanied by some other boys and Gracie Delgado, on whom Mylo has a crush. Mylo is tortured by his inability to save his beloved older brother Obie, who died a year ago, and when he hears cries for help, he knows he must act, no matter the cost. He ends up befriending an alien, Moon Shadow, and trying to help her ailing brother. Science fiction fans may enjoy this one a lot as they watch Mylo, his family, and some of their neighbors go up against the United States military and the government's desire to keep all this a secret from the general public. An Author's Note makes the entire story seem a lot more believable than it might have been otherwise and might prompt some readers to regard what's high up in the sky overhead a little bit differently. The author also includes references to the abuse that Dibs is dealing with at home and how his neighbors try not to get involved--until they simply have no other choice. At first I was surprised that the author had chosen to set the book way back in 1947, but after reading it, I understood why, even while appreciating all the details she included to put readers back in time: for instance, references to Aqua Velva, Bing Crosby, Clark Kent, Cracker Jacks, and Bit-O-Honey. Spuds's lame jokes add to the humor, and the fear the youngsters have toward the unknown is offset by their curiosity to find out more. I'm not sure I could buy all that Gracie was able to accomplish through her military connections or that the youngsters could have gotten away with all they did, but I surely did enjoy the journey. The fact that Mylo no longer believes in God now that his brother has died and he considers his prayers to be unanswered adds another interesting layer to the book. It's possible that there's too much going on in this book for the typical reader, but I know it will find its niche and be a favorite for some.
March 12, 2019
First sentence: In a fiery blaze. That's how they show themselves for the very first time. It's not like a Martian invasion is the first thing I think of when I see it, because I'm not crazy. But it's definitely the second.
Premise/plot: Mylo Affinito stars in Melissa Savage's The Truth About Martians. This one is set near Roswell, New Mexico, in the summer of 1947. Mylo witnesses a fiery blaze in the sky; he knows it couldn't be lightning. He knows that his very best friend, Dibs, would think it MARTIANS. But is it?! It may just be worth investigating in the light of day. And that's just what they do: Dibs, Mylo, Gracie, and a few other kids. What will they find in a farmer's field? Though Mylo is not looking for it--he may just find his "missing courage part."
My thoughts: I was expecting a humorous adventure story. I was not expecting a character-driven novel with HEART AND SOUL. But that is exactly what I got. This is a compelling coming-of-age novel with well-developed characters that you can't help loving.
I love Mylo. I love Dibs. I love Mylo and Dibs. I ached for both of them. I did. I was cheering for them both. There were other characters that I loved as well.
I love the honesty of this one. Mylo has grown up in a religious/spiritual family. The family attends church weekly and prays often throughout the day--as a family. But since his older brother died, Mylo has felt out of sorts. How could God let his brother die? Why didn't God answer his prayers to heal his brother? Throughout the book, Mylo struggles with his faith. But this struggle feels honest and genuine. Mylo LAMENTS. I recently read a book about laments--the steps of lamenting and how healthy it is to lament in response to grief or loss. The book features Christianity in a way that is not preachy.
The book addresses some big questions: why am I here? how should I live? what does it mean to love your neighbor?
Premise/plot: Mylo Affinito stars in Melissa Savage's The Truth About Martians. This one is set near Roswell, New Mexico, in the summer of 1947. Mylo witnesses a fiery blaze in the sky; he knows it couldn't be lightning. He knows that his very best friend, Dibs, would think it MARTIANS. But is it?! It may just be worth investigating in the light of day. And that's just what they do: Dibs, Mylo, Gracie, and a few other kids. What will they find in a farmer's field? Though Mylo is not looking for it--he may just find his "missing courage part."
My thoughts: I was expecting a humorous adventure story. I was not expecting a character-driven novel with HEART AND SOUL. But that is exactly what I got. This is a compelling coming-of-age novel with well-developed characters that you can't help loving.
I love Mylo. I love Dibs. I love Mylo and Dibs. I ached for both of them. I did. I was cheering for them both. There were other characters that I loved as well.
I love the honesty of this one. Mylo has grown up in a religious/spiritual family. The family attends church weekly and prays often throughout the day--as a family. But since his older brother died, Mylo has felt out of sorts. How could God let his brother die? Why didn't God answer his prayers to heal his brother? Throughout the book, Mylo struggles with his faith. But this struggle feels honest and genuine. Mylo LAMENTS. I recently read a book about laments--the steps of lamenting and how healthy it is to lament in response to grief or loss. The book features Christianity in a way that is not preachy.
The book addresses some big questions: why am I here? how should I live? what does it mean to love your neighbor?
July 3, 2020
I read this novel out loud with my 10-year-old son, who gave it two thumbs up. Mylo and his best friend Dibs, embark on a superhero-inspired quest to find out what really crashed out on a farm outside Roswell, NM in July 1947. (Yes, this is about THAT Roswell.) They are accompanied by Graciela Delgado as well as teens Diego and Spuds, who were friends with Mylo's older brother, Obie.
I enjoyed the story and found the discussion of family loss to be touching and sensitive. The book also deftly but pretty subtly touches on issues of adult depression, alcoholism, and child abuse. I quite liked that the adults in the book are depicted as real people with strengths and weaknesses who care about and engage with the kids, and not as bumbling morons or just backdrop characters (though the kids are absolutely the focus). I wasn't quite sure whether the book was going to stay firmly in historical fiction or blend in some sci-fi (I'll let you find that out yourself), but I ultimately mostly liked where the story went and how the various themes of friendship, family, loss, and courage tied together.
A few things in the ending were tied up too nicely and a few problems resolved without explanation (and I'm not 100% certain what event is supposed to be going on at the end of the book where too many people seem to be gathering for a generic Sunday church outing), but on the whole that isn't a big problem for a book targeted at younger readers. My son was not bothered that some of the issues raised throughout the story were resolved "off page" as it were, but adult readers may wonder if the author just wanted to resolve problems without really having to detail *how* they were resolved.
On the whole, I recommend the book for elementary and lower middle school students as an engaging read.
I enjoyed the story and found the discussion of family loss to be touching and sensitive. The book also deftly but pretty subtly touches on issues of adult depression, alcoholism, and child abuse. I quite liked that the adults in the book are depicted as real people with strengths and weaknesses who care about and engage with the kids, and not as bumbling morons or just backdrop characters (though the kids are absolutely the focus). I wasn't quite sure whether the book was going to stay firmly in historical fiction or blend in some sci-fi (I'll let you find that out yourself), but I ultimately mostly liked where the story went and how the various themes of friendship, family, loss, and courage tied together.
A few things in the ending were tied up too nicely and a few problems resolved without explanation (and I'm not 100% certain what event is supposed to be going on at the end of the book where too many people seem to be gathering for a generic Sunday church outing), but on the whole that isn't a big problem for a book targeted at younger readers. My son was not bothered that some of the issues raised throughout the story were resolved "off page" as it were, but adult readers may wonder if the author just wanted to resolve problems without really having to detail *how* they were resolved.
On the whole, I recommend the book for elementary and lower middle school students as an engaging read.
October 18, 2018
The ARC of this book was shared with #bookposse by the author. I was a little late to the party on this one because it is now released!
This book was wonderful. Set near Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, it tells the story of Mylo, his best friend Dibs, and Gracie, who Mylo has a crush on. With the help of a couple of "bullies-turned-friends", the gang decides to investigate the site of a recent Martian shipwreck. Mylo soon learns that someone, or something, needs his help, and he makes a promise to help in any way he can. With the help of his friends and a few really cool adults in his life, Mylo goes on a journey to help others, and discover that he had had his "courage part" all along.
One thing the summary blurb doesn't mention is that Mylo is holding on to the death of his older brother, Obie. It is a very consistent theme throughout the book, and he seeks guidance from him when he needs to be brave. Even though this is a terrible situation and we see evidence throughout that the characters are not coping well, Mylo still having that kind of tangible relationship with Obie is really important for kids to see.
There is some mention of abuse in this book, just in case anyone is sensitive to that.
I would recommend this book to maybe 4th, definitely 5th grade students. It is definitely an older read with some themes younger readers might not pick up on. There are A LOT of Superman comic references, so if your child is a comic book buff, this might be for them! Overall I thought it was a great read and I already can't wait for another book by Melissa Savage!
This book was wonderful. Set near Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, it tells the story of Mylo, his best friend Dibs, and Gracie, who Mylo has a crush on. With the help of a couple of "bullies-turned-friends", the gang decides to investigate the site of a recent Martian shipwreck. Mylo soon learns that someone, or something, needs his help, and he makes a promise to help in any way he can. With the help of his friends and a few really cool adults in his life, Mylo goes on a journey to help others, and discover that he had had his "courage part" all along.
One thing the summary blurb doesn't mention is that Mylo is holding on to the death of his older brother, Obie. It is a very consistent theme throughout the book, and he seeks guidance from him when he needs to be brave. Even though this is a terrible situation and we see evidence throughout that the characters are not coping well, Mylo still having that kind of tangible relationship with Obie is really important for kids to see.
There is some mention of abuse in this book, just in case anyone is sensitive to that.
I would recommend this book to maybe 4th, definitely 5th grade students. It is definitely an older read with some themes younger readers might not pick up on. There are A LOT of Superman comic references, so if your child is a comic book buff, this might be for them! Overall I thought it was a great read and I already can't wait for another book by Melissa Savage!
August 14, 2023
I went into this book not expecting to like it as much as I did. I really enjoyed this book, especially the second half. Melissa Savage does a wonderful job tackling some very difficult subjects, while using kid friendly language. People often forget that kids go through Greif just as adults do, but need books like this one to express their feelings. I would recommend this to anyone, but especially a child who has been through a difficult loss like losing a sibling. I loved the moment they fully considered Moon Shadow a friend, that was very touching. Mylo consistently refers to Obie as being the brave one, but I really think Dibs shows the biggest piece of bravery. When Dibs said “when someone needs help, you help ‘em” simple as that. Savage also does a great job referring the overwhelming feeling you get when you’re upset as “the grey” it’s so relatable for children and everyone really! Another quote I really enjoyed was from Mylo’s mother “no one is all good or all bad. We have some of both in us. We just have to remember to make the right choices even when they are harder to make than the wrong ones.” It reminded my of the quote Sirius Black tells to Harry Potter about have light and dark in us. Very profound. I’ve read Savage’s other books and I’m sad this is the last of her books for me. I’ll be sure to read more from her if they come out.
January 8, 2020
Mylo's best friend Dibs is a Martian fanatic -- every unexplained phenomena could be explained by Martians, if he listened to Dibs. Mylo doesn't. He's more of a Superman kinda guy.
Dibs spends the night a lot, especially after Obie, Mylo's brother, dies. The boys are spending the night at Mylo's house, when there's a storm and something crashes in a blaze of light near his parents' Roswell, NM ranch. Dibs misses it (!) but Mylo hears a call for help in his head.
The boys and friend Gracie are warned away from the crash site, but you know what kids do when they're warned NOT to do something -- they have to investigate it.
Mylo finds a real Martian and he's a she, and she's not from Mars, she's from Europa and on a field trip, and the Army has her brother captive on base.
I won't spoil the ending! Enjoy the read.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Dibs spends the night a lot, especially after Obie, Mylo's brother, dies. The boys are spending the night at Mylo's house, when there's a storm and something crashes in a blaze of light near his parents' Roswell, NM ranch. Dibs misses it (!) but Mylo hears a call for help in his head.
The boys and friend Gracie are warned away from the crash site, but you know what kids do when they're warned NOT to do something -- they have to investigate it.
Mylo finds a real Martian and he's a she, and she's not from Mars, she's from Europa and on a field trip, and the Army has her brother captive on base.
I won't spoil the ending! Enjoy the read.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
January 31, 2022
I hands down love this book so much. I can't wait for my son too read this book. It was so good and so interesting.
I love that Melissa did her research like she should have. And the author notes at the end was really good too. And I normally don't read those. Well she did talk about things inside this book that happened. And I was so happy that she said what she said in the book.
I have read so much on the Rosewell crash and seen so many things on it also. And I have read and watched so much on UFO's also. And I am so glad that she did write some of what did happen. And I do believe that they crashed in Rosewell and it wasnt a weather bollon.
I love that she also put her own twist inside the book. And that she teaches you grief and loss and adventure. So many emotions at the end of the book. And so thoughtful.
5 out of 5 starts. This is going to be a reread for sure and I can't wait. Loved it so much. My favorite book of the year so far.
I love that Melissa did her research like she should have. And the author notes at the end was really good too. And I normally don't read those. Well she did talk about things inside this book that happened. And I was so happy that she said what she said in the book.
I have read so much on the Rosewell crash and seen so many things on it also. And I have read and watched so much on UFO's also. And I am so glad that she did write some of what did happen. And I do believe that they crashed in Rosewell and it wasnt a weather bollon.
I love that she also put her own twist inside the book. And that she teaches you grief and loss and adventure. So many emotions at the end of the book. And so thoughtful.
5 out of 5 starts. This is going to be a reread for sure and I can't wait. Loved it so much. My favorite book of the year so far.
November 2, 2018
Mylo Affinito believes that he missing essential parts, such as bravery, muscles, and facial hair. When there is a rumor of aliens crash landing near their home in Roswell, New Mexico; Mylo and his friends set out to discover more about the Martians. Mylo never believed in aliens but, when he starts hearing a voice pleading for help, he decides to follow his heart. Together with his friends, they set out on an epic adventure to investigate the crash and find out who is calling for help. However, what they discover, might change their lives forever.
This book gave me all the feels. It was a great and interesting read from start to finish. All of the characters were flawed but, trying to become better and do better. However, when someone they care about needs help, they put aside their feelings and fears to help. Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read.
This book gave me all the feels. It was a great and interesting read from start to finish. All of the characters were flawed but, trying to become better and do better. However, when someone they care about needs help, they put aside their feelings and fears to help. Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read.
July 7, 2021
I just wasn’t the biggest fan of this book in the end. This book had a few good chapters that I enjoyed reading, but the rest I just wanted to get it over with. I like the concept of what the book is mainly about but it just wasn’t right for me. I am a small fan of the sci-fi genre and this book was one of the many of that genre that I just didn’t enjoy.
Spoiler alert: I also wasn’t a big fan of the alien turning out to be a good guy in the end, I mean it’s a good difference of the idea of evil brain probing aliens coming to earth but it just wasn’t for me. I don’t like saying this but I was so happy once I finished it. I do like this authors works but this book just wasn’t for me. But if you like a sci-fi genre this is a good book for you with a different story to it! It has a good storyline, but again just not for me.
Spoiler alert: I also wasn’t a big fan of the alien turning out to be a good guy in the end, I mean it’s a good difference of the idea of evil brain probing aliens coming to earth but it just wasn’t for me. I don’t like saying this but I was so happy once I finished it. I do like this authors works but this book just wasn’t for me. But if you like a sci-fi genre this is a good book for you with a different story to it! It has a good storyline, but again just not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2018
This story is about Mylo, who lives with his family in New Mexico in the 1950s. His family is dealing with the loss of his older brother. Mylo's best friend, Dibs, stays with them often because his mother has left the family, leaving Dibs alone with his abusive, neglectful, alcoholic father. One night when Dibs is sleeping over, the boys see flashing lights and then hear a big crash. The next day, they go out to investigate and find what appears to be a space ship that crashed. This is a really fun adventure story about doing the right thing, even if it's hard, the bonds of family and friendships and what creatures from other planets might really be like. This is going to be a fun one to have in our library.
February 11, 2019
I loved how this was both historical fiction and science fiction This was such an odd story, or at least, certainly unique. On the one hand you've got this sweet story about a boy and his parents trying to recover after the death of their son. Similarly they all love and care very much about the boy's best friend, who father is a drunk and neglects his child. Then you've got this historical setting that was so vivid I felt hot and thirsty just reading about it. It's all ranches and dust and children riding horses to get to ranches. And then there's the Martian (or, as more accurately, Moontian) who crash lands.
Maybe not the fastest paced book ever, but I still enjoyed it and appreciated the novelty of pretty much all of it.
Maybe not the fastest paced book ever, but I still enjoyed it and appreciated the novelty of pretty much all of it.
November 25, 2019
It took me a bit to be engaged in Sweet's sophomore middle grade but soon Mylo's voice reeled me in. Set in the town of Roswell in 1947, Mylo has a lot on his mind already when he and best friend Dibs see something really odd crash into the desert. What they find sets in train a wild series of events that change Mylo's world and help bring his family back together.
Charming, reassuring and entertaining, this story deals with issues of grief and depression, touches on faith and stands firmly on the importance of family. A crazy fun and improbable alien tale threads all this together. Don't worry about the likelihood of such a story, just go along for the galactic ride.
Charming, reassuring and entertaining, this story deals with issues of grief and depression, touches on faith and stands firmly on the importance of family. A crazy fun and improbable alien tale threads all this together. Don't worry about the likelihood of such a story, just go along for the galactic ride.
May 27, 2018
Martians, Roswell, a blossoming crush, bad jokes, baseball, horses...my students and I loved being immersed in a different era with characters we would want as friends today. Mylo, Dibs, and Gracie not only know “the truth is out there,” they also know it takes courage to find. Unfortunately Mylo isn’t feeling very courageous. The Truth About Martians is an engaging, touching, and laugh-out-loud funny middle-grade read aloud. It will be released in October of 2018.
November 12, 2018
This is a book about first encounters, about people meeting each other with love and trust and friendship while pushing back against governments concerned with defense and destruction and war. It's also a book about grieving, about what it means to have an ending to a loved one. The two books mostly work together but sometimes pull apart.
I did notice that the blurb only mentions the first kind of book.
I did notice that the blurb only mentions the first kind of book.
December 13, 2018
A martian story with bigger lessons than ET ever taught us. Bits of dark truth wrapped in Cracker Jack foil. My kids sat on the edge of their seat while I read aloud, and even asked me to stop once or twice so their imagination could catch up with them. Would suggest ages 6 to 8, with a strong reader, or read with an adult. Ages 9-12, for a beginner novel. Boy or girl? Doesn't matter, sci-fi is great at any age or gender.
October 2, 2019
Set in the 1950’s, this is an interesting book that left me with mixed feelings. The main character, Mylo, is dealing with grief and has a strong bond with his friends. When an alien space ship crashes in their town, Mylo and friends go investigate. The alien aspect, seemed a bit drawn out and left me wanting more excitement earlier in the book. However, I am sure kids who enjoy sci-fi will like this.
August 14, 2022
Part science fiction, part historical fiction, this fun story takes us back in time to the 1940's in Roswell New Mexico. After a storm comes through his farm, Mylo and his best friend, Dibs, discover a UFO has crashed nearby. ALthough his parents, and the authorities, tell them to stay away, Mylo hears "help" in his head and can't. Enlisting the help of a classmate, Gracie, the three set out to help the aliens.
ET - like, grief, abuse, friendship, doing what is right. First person narration.
ET - like, grief, abuse, friendship, doing what is right. First person narration.
August 1, 2018
An ARC of this book was shared with my #bookexpedition group by the author.
It’s July 1947, and Mylo and his best friend Dibs are embarking on an out of this world adventure after a flying disk crash lands near his ranch in Roswell, New Mexico. With themes of grief, friendship, kindness and courage, this fantasy novel based on an event in history will be enjoyed by middle grade readers.
It’s July 1947, and Mylo and his best friend Dibs are embarking on an out of this world adventure after a flying disk crash lands near his ranch in Roswell, New Mexico. With themes of grief, friendship, kindness and courage, this fantasy novel based on an event in history will be enjoyed by middle grade readers.
February 1, 2020
I loved everything about this book. It’s set on 1947 in a small New Mexico town near Roswell. When young Mylo learns a strange craft has crashed near his home, he hears a voice in his head asking for help. Desperate to be as brave as his big brother, Obie, who died, Mylo goes to investigate....I won’t say any more, but this is a wonderful story about a lot more than aliens. I loved Savage’s first book, which also featured kids investigating strange things (Bigfoot). I loved this so much I’m going to have to buy my own copy so I can read it again whenever I want.
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