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Alien Next Door #3
Alien Scout
In the third book of the Alien Next Door series, Harris knows Zeke is an alien, and they go away for a weekend trip as Beaver Scouts. Will Harris be able to help Zeke keep his secret when another scout starts suspecting something?Zeke has revealed to Harris that he's an alien and Harris is thrilled to have an alien best friend! This weekend, Harris has a Beaver Scout outing in the wilderness, so he invites Zeke to join in on the fun. Zeke doesn't quite understand all the activities, like sleeping outside and telling ghost stories, and he is a little careless with using his powers, which leads one scout to become a little suspicious. Will Harris be able to help Zeke hide his identity from everyone?
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2018
41 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 7, 2023
3.5 stars. We are enjoying this series but they're not my favorites. In this book, Harris now knows Zeke's secret and they're good friends. Harris is going to summer sleepaway came and he wants Zeke to come. Zeke is really confused by the whole concept but goes. He wants to keep his secret but does weird things like levitate, etc. so Harris is trying harder to protect him than Zeke is to protect himself. Overall it was cute but nothing exceptional.
May 8, 2022
This is such a fun series.
March 16, 2022
The Alien Next Door is actually not one book, but (to date) eight books that I picked up as a boxed set at Costco last weekend. (The set also included a children's activity book, with pictures to color, writing prompts, etc.) Their titles are The New Kid; Aliens for Dinner?!; Alien Scout; Trick or Cheat?; Baseball Blues; The Mystery Valentine; Up, Up, and Away; and A New Planet.
While each book stands somewhat on its own on the scale of an elementary-level chapter book, the whole series also works together as a continuous story with each individual book as a kind of chapter in it. My father, who got to it before me, read all eight books in one sitting, and was the first to complain that the last one ends abruptly without really resolving the storyline. Actually, his exact words were, "It just goes pbpbpbpbt." I myself managed it in two settings, but they went quickly in terms of total time. I'm glad to report that according to Fantastic Fiction, a ninth book titled The Marvelous Museum is supposed to come out in October 2022. So, I guess this series isn't over yet.
As for the eight books so far, most of them came out in quick succession in 2018 and 2019 and have charming illustrations, featuring an apparently American (or maybe Canadian?) boy named Harris who begins to suspect that the awkward, lonely new kid next door may actually be an alien from outer space. The more sure of this he becomes, the more his family and his best friend, Roxy, think he's just being mean because Zeke is different. But Harris is right; and after the first couple of books, he and Zeke become friends and Harris begins to share in his secret. Harris and Roxy help Zeke learn about such strange human customs as scouting campouts, trick-or-treating, baseball and Valentines.
Then Zeke finds out his parents, Xad and Quar, have finished their research on Earth and they have to move back to the planet Tragas. At first, Harris and Zeke look for a way to delay their departure. In the last book (so far), Harris reveals Zeke's secret to Roxy, and the two of them stow away on the ship and get to experience the "new kid" phenomenon from the other side, disguised as aliens on a strange new world.
Written at an elementary level, the books are simple and light but they also carry themes, such as being kind to people who are different from you, not cheating or taking shortcuts. They look at American(?) cultural customs in a humorous light, with charm, goofy humor and an occasional flash of wit. The weirdness of Tragas and its cultural customs comes in for some imaginative treatment, too, modeling Harris and Roxy's openness to having new experiences and, of course, their loyal friendship with Zeke. I feel even better recommending these books knowing that there's more to come.
A.I. Newton is also the author of the "Little Olympians" series, also illustrated by Sarkar, in which kid-sized Greek gods go to camp to learn how to use their powers and get along together. Their titles, up to the most recent release, are Zeus, God of Thunder; Athena, Goddess of Wisdom; Hermes, the Fastest God; and Artemis, the Archer Goddess. I can't actually find any information online about A.I. Newton as a human being. For all I know, he may be a fictitious pen-name, maybe with a whole list of author credits under another name.
About illustrator Anjan Sarkar, I've learned that he's a British illustrator of Indian heritage who has contributed art to such books as Rum Pum Pum by David L. Harrison and Jane Yolen, Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas by Pamela Ehrenberg, and Level Up! Last One Standing by Tom Nicoll, among 20-some books.
While each book stands somewhat on its own on the scale of an elementary-level chapter book, the whole series also works together as a continuous story with each individual book as a kind of chapter in it. My father, who got to it before me, read all eight books in one sitting, and was the first to complain that the last one ends abruptly without really resolving the storyline. Actually, his exact words were, "It just goes pbpbpbpbt." I myself managed it in two settings, but they went quickly in terms of total time. I'm glad to report that according to Fantastic Fiction, a ninth book titled The Marvelous Museum is supposed to come out in October 2022. So, I guess this series isn't over yet.
As for the eight books so far, most of them came out in quick succession in 2018 and 2019 and have charming illustrations, featuring an apparently American (or maybe Canadian?) boy named Harris who begins to suspect that the awkward, lonely new kid next door may actually be an alien from outer space. The more sure of this he becomes, the more his family and his best friend, Roxy, think he's just being mean because Zeke is different. But Harris is right; and after the first couple of books, he and Zeke become friends and Harris begins to share in his secret. Harris and Roxy help Zeke learn about such strange human customs as scouting campouts, trick-or-treating, baseball and Valentines.
Then Zeke finds out his parents, Xad and Quar, have finished their research on Earth and they have to move back to the planet Tragas. At first, Harris and Zeke look for a way to delay their departure. In the last book (so far), Harris reveals Zeke's secret to Roxy, and the two of them stow away on the ship and get to experience the "new kid" phenomenon from the other side, disguised as aliens on a strange new world.
Written at an elementary level, the books are simple and light but they also carry themes, such as being kind to people who are different from you, not cheating or taking shortcuts. They look at American(?) cultural customs in a humorous light, with charm, goofy humor and an occasional flash of wit. The weirdness of Tragas and its cultural customs comes in for some imaginative treatment, too, modeling Harris and Roxy's openness to having new experiences and, of course, their loyal friendship with Zeke. I feel even better recommending these books knowing that there's more to come.
A.I. Newton is also the author of the "Little Olympians" series, also illustrated by Sarkar, in which kid-sized Greek gods go to camp to learn how to use their powers and get along together. Their titles, up to the most recent release, are Zeus, God of Thunder; Athena, Goddess of Wisdom; Hermes, the Fastest God; and Artemis, the Archer Goddess. I can't actually find any information online about A.I. Newton as a human being. For all I know, he may be a fictitious pen-name, maybe with a whole list of author credits under another name.
About illustrator Anjan Sarkar, I've learned that he's a British illustrator of Indian heritage who has contributed art to such books as Rum Pum Pum by David L. Harrison and Jane Yolen, Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas by Pamela Ehrenberg, and Level Up! Last One Standing by Tom Nicoll, among 20-some books.
February 3, 2019
An Amiable Early Reader Series
The setup here is that Zeke is an alien boy living with his Mom and Dad next door to Harris, who's a kid Zeke's age. In the first books in the series Harris suspects Zeke is an alien. In later books, including this one, Harris is in on the secret and helps Zeke disguise himself.
The action is a bit like the old TV show "My Favorite Martian". Zeke sometimes forgets himself and uses his powers, (telekinesis and mind power stuff), and then he and Harris have to distract or confuse possible witnesses.
Each book has an overall arc made up of a few events. In this one Harris takes Zeke along on a scouting campout. Zeke can float to the tops of trees instead of climbing, he can toast a marshmallow by holding it in his hand, he can make a canoe go with his mind. When he does these things he and Harris then have to cover it up.
The book is loaded with mild humor and the boys are always good-natured and cheerful. The idea of fibbing and hiding the truth is in service of a silly premise, so that never felt odd or off putting. There's a strong streak of "Amelia Bedelia" in the dialogue, with Zeke taking slang phrases literally, (why does "let's hit the hay" mean go to bed), and I think that's a clever element to add to a book for young readers.
Between the helpful illustrations that appear on at least every other page, the short but not overly simple sentences, and the basic plot, this seems like it's aimed at the very newest chapter book readers. The kids are engaging, the plots are varied and clever, and the boys have relatable adventures. The books aren't cartoony or manic, and the series isn't just some franchise knockoff or toy tie in, so I was happy with this find.
(Please note that I tracked this book down while searching the local library's Kindle books. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
The setup here is that Zeke is an alien boy living with his Mom and Dad next door to Harris, who's a kid Zeke's age. In the first books in the series Harris suspects Zeke is an alien. In later books, including this one, Harris is in on the secret and helps Zeke disguise himself.
The action is a bit like the old TV show "My Favorite Martian". Zeke sometimes forgets himself and uses his powers, (telekinesis and mind power stuff), and then he and Harris have to distract or confuse possible witnesses.
Each book has an overall arc made up of a few events. In this one Harris takes Zeke along on a scouting campout. Zeke can float to the tops of trees instead of climbing, he can toast a marshmallow by holding it in his hand, he can make a canoe go with his mind. When he does these things he and Harris then have to cover it up.
The book is loaded with mild humor and the boys are always good-natured and cheerful. The idea of fibbing and hiding the truth is in service of a silly premise, so that never felt odd or off putting. There's a strong streak of "Amelia Bedelia" in the dialogue, with Zeke taking slang phrases literally, (why does "let's hit the hay" mean go to bed), and I think that's a clever element to add to a book for young readers.
Between the helpful illustrations that appear on at least every other page, the short but not overly simple sentences, and the basic plot, this seems like it's aimed at the very newest chapter book readers. The kids are engaging, the plots are varied and clever, and the boys have relatable adventures. The books aren't cartoony or manic, and the series isn't just some franchise knockoff or toy tie in, so I was happy with this find.
(Please note that I tracked this book down while searching the local library's Kindle books. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
February 15, 2023
What's good about this series is that the author has thought of a way that 3 aliens could successfully integrate themselves into human society and come across, to most people, like just a slightly odd family. Zekelebraxis, (Zeke's full name; another good thing about this series) gets invited to join Harris on a weekend camp outing with the Beaver Scouts. It's not a terrible addition to the series, but I feel like the second book was better, even with Roxy's random inclusion in that one. 2 stars.
June 23, 2020
I think it was very cool because they did cool activities at the camp, I liked that this book was very spooky. Zeke was kind of mean to Harris, even though Harris was trying to protect his secret. But they were friends in the end.
Read in 2020
Read in 2020
November 30, 2018
Harris and his alien friend, Zeke, head to weekend camp to discover what earth kids do at Beaver Scouts camp. However, one of the campers becomes suspicious of Zeke. Can Harris prevent Zeke’s secret from getting out?
Book 3 in the series.
Recommended for grades 1-3. Lexile Level: 650
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Book 3 in the series.
Recommended for grades 1-3. Lexile Level: 650
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
September 25, 2018
Nice early chapter book. Read it out of order and was still able to enjoy and understand the plot.
March 19, 2019
Dexter (10yo) read.
June 28, 2020
Alien Scout
From my 6 year old: I love this book! This book is amazing. I like the creepy stories. I like when Zeke talks about life on Tragas and how different their water is.
From my 6 year old: I love this book! This book is amazing. I like the creepy stories. I like when Zeke talks about life on Tragas and how different their water is.
October 18, 2020
Awesome
November 16, 2020
I liked the story, and the story within the story. Fun!
Read
March 22, 2024IT'S NOT A GOOD STORY
January 5, 2025
Lincoln - 9.9/10
Me - 3/5
Me - 3/5
September 15, 2025
With a new best friend, Zeke now must navigate more than one friendship, and learns how secrets affects his relationships with others.
September 6, 2019
We like how the story progresses through the books. We can’t wait to see if Zeke would reveal his true form to Harris!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews