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Galaxy Zack #4
Monsters in Space!
Zack learns that appearances aren’t everything when he has an up-close-and-personal monster encounter in this chapter book adventure.Zack is shocked when he goes to school one day and finds a monster in his seat! Who/what is this creature? At first Zack is scared, but he soon finds that this monster, Al, is kind and friendly. Zack and Al become fast friends, and Zack goes to Al’s planet and meets all kinds of other monsters. Zack realizes that just because Al looks different, it doesn’t mean that he’s weird or strange.
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Galaxy Zack chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Galaxy Zack chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
119 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2013
14 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 18, 2022
At first Zack was disgusted of the monster.Then they became very good friends he sat beside al every day.This book is not the best Galxy Zack book.And this book tells us never judge a book by its cover. I gave it 4/5 it was a pretty good book I am not going to lie.
October 9, 2017
I enjoyed this book because I like Galaxy Zack books. I do not like this book because I do not like monsters with five eyes, even though the monster on the cover was not a monster. I also enjoyed this book because I liked the part when Zack found out that the monster was actually somebody from Plexus.
March 30, 2022
Russ loved this book. It was age appropriate, with a good message; lots of pictures (every page) :) time to get the first two!
February 15, 2023
Okay. Um.
This is the fourth book in the 'Galaxy Zack' series and, unfortunately, now the fourth book in which Zack goes to a new planet. In the first one, Zack and his family moved from Earth to Nebulon (good); in the second one, he and his class went on a field trip to a newly discovered planet of crystals called Juno (interesting); in the third one, a youngling pterosaur needs to be returned to a prehistoric planet (that's okay, but the storyline was getting repetitive); and in this one, there's a new kid in his class and after a misunderstanding where he thinks the kid is a monster, he and Drake end up going to the new kid's planet, Plexus..
As I said in my review of book 3, this series was a really good idea. I amend my other statement that I'm going to keep reading this series to that I'm probably going to keep reading it. I still feel like Zack really needs to stop 'planet hopping,' but it's starting to look like this series is mostly about that. At first, I thought my hope after reading book 3 that at least the next book would delve into life on Nebulon wasn't just a hope...
...but nope.
That episode is actually better than this book, though, so it's not an amazing example, admittedly.
In some ways, this particular sequel made me think of the first book in The Alien Next Door series, 'The New Kid, in which you read about a family that live pretty ordinary lives, but the book ultimately feels like a commercial. "Monster's In Space" ultimately came across the same way Frosty Returns came across: more of a social or political statement or commercial than a story.
Don't get me wrong. I think it is very important that kids are taught that even if someone is different, that is not a reason to avoid them or ignore them or to treat them badly (and there are some adults I've met where I almost think who should be given required to take a refresher course by court order), but when you mix it together with the wooden writing and another planet hop, it just doesn't mesh very well. This is by far the lowest rating for a book in this series that I have given so far. 2 stars.
This is the fourth book in the 'Galaxy Zack' series and, unfortunately, now the fourth book in which Zack goes to a new planet. In the first one, Zack and his family moved from Earth to Nebulon (good); in the second one, he and his class went on a field trip to a newly discovered planet of crystals called Juno (interesting); in the third one, a youngling pterosaur needs to be returned to a prehistoric planet (that's okay, but the storyline was getting repetitive); and in this one, there's a new kid in his class and after a misunderstanding where he thinks the kid is a monster, he and Drake end up going to the new kid's planet, Plexus..
As I said in my review of book 3, this series was a really good idea. I amend my other statement that I'm going to keep reading this series to that I'm probably going to keep reading it. I still feel like Zack really needs to stop 'planet hopping,' but it's starting to look like this series is mostly about that. At first, I thought my hope after reading book 3 that at least the next book would delve into life on Nebulon wasn't just a hope...
...but nope.
That episode is actually better than this book, though, so it's not an amazing example, admittedly.
In some ways, this particular sequel made me think of the first book in The Alien Next Door series, 'The New Kid, in which you read about a family that live pretty ordinary lives, but the book ultimately feels like a commercial. "Monster's In Space" ultimately came across the same way Frosty Returns came across: more of a social or political statement or commercial than a story.
Don't get me wrong. I think it is very important that kids are taught that even if someone is different, that is not a reason to avoid them or ignore them or to treat them badly (and there are some adults I've met where I almost think who should be given required to take a refresher course by court order), but when you mix it together with the wooden writing and another planet hop, it just doesn't mesh very well. This is by far the lowest rating for a book in this series that I have given so far. 2 stars.
June 10, 2018
Zack is sure the new kid in his class is a monster. But when he actually is friendly and talks to Al, Zack may be in for a big surprise.
This book provides a fun way to learn some very important lessons. Zack learns to not judge others based on appearances, because it is what is inside that matters more. He realizes this once he gets to know Al and then when he visits Al's planet and he notices others whispering about him. Kids should easily be able to make the application from Zack's far out situation to their own every day situations. And third culture kids should especially relate. Zack also realizes how huge it was that Drake was friendly to him on his first day, and decides to do the same with Al his second day. Both Drake and Zack find Al to be a fantastic new friend because they were willing to be friendly first. They're great models to encourage readers to not be afraid to be friendly first. The out of this world fun Zack and gang experience also just makes this a fun read imaginative kids are sure to enjoy. A fantastic pick for any lower grader, and would make a great class read aloud.
This book provides a fun way to learn some very important lessons. Zack learns to not judge others based on appearances, because it is what is inside that matters more. He realizes this once he gets to know Al and then when he visits Al's planet and he notices others whispering about him. Kids should easily be able to make the application from Zack's far out situation to their own every day situations. And third culture kids should especially relate. Zack also realizes how huge it was that Drake was friendly to him on his first day, and decides to do the same with Al his second day. Both Drake and Zack find Al to be a fantastic new friend because they were willing to be friendly first. They're great models to encourage readers to not be afraid to be friendly first. The out of this world fun Zack and gang experience also just makes this a fun read imaginative kids are sure to enjoy. A fantastic pick for any lower grader, and would make a great class read aloud.
February 20, 2024
Reading these stories over with my youngest daughter has been a fun romp down memory lane. This story focuses on not judging people by appearance and getting to know them! This is probably one of the most important things to learn in this day and age we live in. My daughter loved the story and it was a great lesson that was not beaten over your head but gently told in a way that both teaches and entertains! Another winning addition to the Galaxy Zack series!
November 1, 2019
This has been the best book in the series so far. This explores prejudice and judgement. It offers plenty of talking points to discuss with your child about judging people by their looks and shows that it is best to give things a chance before judging.
March 14, 2020
My younger brother read it and this is what he has to say.
It was good. The book is all about a monster who once came in Zack's school. The best part was when Al, Drake, Zack and Al's father went on the spaceship. People who like Science and monster will enjoy this book.
It was good. The book is all about a monster who once came in Zack's school. The best part was when Al, Drake, Zack and Al's father went on the spaceship. People who like Science and monster will enjoy this book.
June 5, 2020
I liked it because they traveled to another planet and there are new characters. I also read this one in one night!
October 1, 2020
This is a cute series for kids (4th book). I liked it. I recommend it to kids of all ages.
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August 2, 2022Lexile®: 590L, 4503W, 100%, 6y4m
February 22, 2023
Good book to learn not to judge others based on their appearance as well as to not be afraid to try new things
March 12, 2023
Lindy-3 stars
Jasper- all the way to the north pole stars
Jasper- all the way to the north pole stars
August 23, 2022
Zack went t a new school on Nebulon and one of the students looked like a monster. Zack was scared of him then he understood he was not a moinster and became friends with him and he was very kind.
Read
July 5, 2016Galaxy Jack...Monsters in Space is a great book that shows that we shouldn't judge people based on their looks. Zach enters school late and thinks a monster is sitting at his seat. He thinks he is a monster because he is big and furry with sharp teeth. He is the only one that is afraid of him and doesn't understand why no one else is. His friend Drake explains that he is not a monster and is simply visiting from another planet. Zach realized he used to notice differences between he and Drake when they became friends but now he doesn't think about them. The so-called monster's name was Al and he told the kids about himself in class. Zach noticed similarities between them, like they spoke the same, and soon didn't think of him as a monster anymore and became friends with him. Zach even visited Al's home planet and Al was thrilled that he had made a friend who didn't think of him as a monster. Others had also judged him by his looks. Zach saw all people of different shapes, colors and sizes on Al's planet. Some of Al's friends even thought Zach was a monster because he looked different from them. The story ends with Al visiting Zach's house and then heading back to his planet. Zach was sad Al left, but happy that he had made a new, great friend.
December 18, 2015
Science fiction for the young reader. Zack Nelson attends Sprockets Academy on Nebulon. One day , however, he goes to school late and in his place a purple monster. No one seems to notice this creature, not even the teacher. The monster as Zack calls him is really a creature from another planet called Plexi and is no monster after all. Zack gets a chance to meet Al the next day. They discover they have a lot in common and in fact Zack gets a chance to go stay with Al for a weekend on Plexi. Simple text that will be good for new chapter book readers. The story is a fun way to showcase the idea of how differences can be good and how we all have things in common. It does this in a non judgmental way and is very entertaining. Pictures are simple and done in black and white.
November 30, 2016
Zack sees an alien and thinks that he's a monster until his friend, Drake, and his mother tell him otherwise. The 'monster' alien is named Al and he is visiting because his father is traveling for work. Zack and Drake become his friends. The parents talk to each other and arrange for Zack and Drake to go with Al and his parents to his home planet. Al shows them his zandy/grapes/cool house and introduces them to his friends.
October 11, 2014
This was a fun, interesting kids book for me to read. I liked the part where Zack thought there was a monster in his class but there wasn't. Well there was but his Mum said that everybody is different.
September 4, 2015
My 6-year-old son continues to love these books and I continue to find them overly simplistic and kind of boring. But I love his enthusiasm about reading them with me. And so they win in that regard. Without my son they'd be nothing to me.
October 11, 2014
A fun story with a lesson included. Great for beginning readers as the language is simple and clear. Lucy (8) says "Absolutely fabulous!"
January 27, 2015
Cute - I like the message in this one - even if someone doesn't look like you, they can be cool (Grape), and you can be friends, and learn about each other's cultures.
October 24, 2015
A fun story with a lesson included. Great for beginning readers as the language is simple and clear. Lucy (8) says "Absolutely fabulous!"
February 11, 2016
Asher (7yo) read.
April 29, 2016
A light fun first chapter book with a good message. Lots of illustrations and great for beginning readers. Not my favorite series, but has quality writing and illustrations.
January 3, 2017
I thought that the story was really, really funny because at first Zack thought the monster in his seat was mean and bad, but it wasn't. It was a nice monster and then they became friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2017
Cute story, great message. Love the Galaxy Zack books!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews