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Ormingat Trilogy #1
Space Race
Eleven-year-old Thomas Derwent is moving. Not to another town or city, but to another planet. He and his father have completed their research mission on Earth, and are returning to The Other Place, the planet of Ormingat, where they came from five years ago. It was so long ago that Thomas can’t remember anything about his life there. All he knows is his life on Earth, and he can’t imagine leaving the places and people he loves so much. Then Thomas becomes separated from his father, and the decision of whether to stay or to go becomes his. Which will he choose?
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Waugh
30 books34 followersSylvia 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."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 9, 2011
1. Science Fiction
2. Alien Thomas (aka Tonitheen on the planet Ormingat) and his father Patrick (aka Vateelin on the planet Ormingat) are done with their work on planet Earth. They have to leave the life they have known for five years and return to Ormingat; this story chronicles their not-so-easy journey as fake humans trying to get back to their planet.
3. A. Plot
B. The narrative structure is straight forward, present tense with one major flashback written in italics. This allows the reader no confusion as to when events are taking place. It is written in third person narrative, so the thoughts of many are intertwined throughout the story. The conflict/ resolution are fairly character based. The major conflict is within Thomas. He doesn’t want to leave his human life, at first.
C. The story is in present tense. The main flashback that takes place is when Patrick reminisces about the time Thomas and he left Ormingat (p. 148). It is easily distinguished from the rest of the text because it is written in italics.
The third person narrative allows readers to know the thoughts of the main characters as well as other characters in the book. Of course, the story mainly focuses on Thomas and Patrick. However, the reader is also exposed to thoughts of smaller characters like Inspector Galway, for instance. He was one of the men investing the case of the disappearing man (p. 85-86). “There was something about this business that appealed to Inspector Galway. He loved a mystery…The crimes he met with, even the most nastiest, were mostly anything but mysterious. Now he looked sharply at his sergeant, irritated at being stopped in his tracks” (p. 86).
The third person narrative also helps us to understand Thomas and his conflict. When he finds out the news that he is definitely going back to Ormingat (p. 31), he protests the date. He states, “I can’t go before the end of term” (p. 32). He even gets mad at his dad for deceiving people about where they were going. “Thomas was angry. It was an alien emotion…” However, after an accident where his dad disappears, Thomas realizes that he is alien to Earth and wants to return home. “My real name is not even Thomas. My real, real name is Tonitheen, he thought, and I come from Ormingat” (p. 89).
4. This book can be used to teach students science fiction. Breaking the story down, students can answer whether or not they feel it is set in the realm of possibility, talk about the technology in the book (ex. the spaceship), and reveal how futuristic they believe the story to be.
2. Alien Thomas (aka Tonitheen on the planet Ormingat) and his father Patrick (aka Vateelin on the planet Ormingat) are done with their work on planet Earth. They have to leave the life they have known for five years and return to Ormingat; this story chronicles their not-so-easy journey as fake humans trying to get back to their planet.
3. A. Plot
B. The narrative structure is straight forward, present tense with one major flashback written in italics. This allows the reader no confusion as to when events are taking place. It is written in third person narrative, so the thoughts of many are intertwined throughout the story. The conflict/ resolution are fairly character based. The major conflict is within Thomas. He doesn’t want to leave his human life, at first.
C. The story is in present tense. The main flashback that takes place is when Patrick reminisces about the time Thomas and he left Ormingat (p. 148). It is easily distinguished from the rest of the text because it is written in italics.
The third person narrative allows readers to know the thoughts of the main characters as well as other characters in the book. Of course, the story mainly focuses on Thomas and Patrick. However, the reader is also exposed to thoughts of smaller characters like Inspector Galway, for instance. He was one of the men investing the case of the disappearing man (p. 85-86). “There was something about this business that appealed to Inspector Galway. He loved a mystery…The crimes he met with, even the most nastiest, were mostly anything but mysterious. Now he looked sharply at his sergeant, irritated at being stopped in his tracks” (p. 86).
The third person narrative also helps us to understand Thomas and his conflict. When he finds out the news that he is definitely going back to Ormingat (p. 31), he protests the date. He states, “I can’t go before the end of term” (p. 32). He even gets mad at his dad for deceiving people about where they were going. “Thomas was angry. It was an alien emotion…” However, after an accident where his dad disappears, Thomas realizes that he is alien to Earth and wants to return home. “My real name is not even Thomas. My real, real name is Tonitheen, he thought, and I come from Ormingat” (p. 89).
4. This book can be used to teach students science fiction. Breaking the story down, students can answer whether or not they feel it is set in the realm of possibility, talk about the technology in the book (ex. the spaceship), and reveal how futuristic they believe the story to be.
December 4, 2012
A new neighbor moves in next to you. You go over to say hey to find them acting quite normal. But little did you know: they come from outer space.
This story is about an eleven year old English boy named Thomas Derwent lived in a small town. Thomas and his friend play everyday at school as any two boys would. Thomas moved to the town with his dad when he was six, no mother, just a dad. His neighbor acted as his mother for the duration of his stay in England. After five years, Thomas' father tells him that they have to go back to their home planet. This event begins the main plot with the difficulty of lying to all their friends about where they are going. The two journey back to their spaceship and run into many twists and turns along the way.
I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys adventure. This book shows how you can get where you want, but only if you know where you're going. The author does a great job of describing rather than telling the reader what was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, all aspects were interesting and drew me further into the story. I think everyone should read this book, even if you don't enjoy reading; you'll enjoy this one.
This story is about an eleven year old English boy named Thomas Derwent lived in a small town. Thomas and his friend play everyday at school as any two boys would. Thomas moved to the town with his dad when he was six, no mother, just a dad. His neighbor acted as his mother for the duration of his stay in England. After five years, Thomas' father tells him that they have to go back to their home planet. This event begins the main plot with the difficulty of lying to all their friends about where they are going. The two journey back to their spaceship and run into many twists and turns along the way.
I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys adventure. This book shows how you can get where you want, but only if you know where you're going. The author does a great job of describing rather than telling the reader what was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, all aspects were interesting and drew me further into the story. I think everyone should read this book, even if you don't enjoy reading; you'll enjoy this one.
January 4, 2014
This is an ok book. I give this boom 3 stars because it gets a little confusing. I guess I would recommend this book for kids. It wouldn't really be interesting for adults. But if you like a fiction boom then I would say go read it.
May 5, 2008
Charming and delightful children's books. There are 2 sequels, also good.
July 26, 2009
A fun read. Good, honest writing.
October 23, 2008
good book! kinda sad though....
March 12, 2011
This book was surprisingly delightful. It's not easy being an alien who must return home when all you can remember is earth.
September 11, 2016
I read it as a kid so many times that i don't remember. Beautiful story: a boy and his father are separated before reaching their goal, and try to meet again before the time runs out.
December 28, 2024
This was one of this novels sold as a children's novel (because it features a child) yet which is really a novel for adults. Much of the novel is told from the point of view of adults - Patrick/Vateelin (Thomas/Tonitheen's father), Mrs Stella Dalrymple (their neighbour and a second mother to Thomas as his mother is dead), the doctor at the hospital, the inspector trying to figure out what happened to Thomas and who he is, and others, including a teacher, nurses, etc. There are several child point of views, too, mostly Thomas, but also his old friend Mickey and his new friend Jamie. Sometimes we see adult points of view as they are observing these children. As a child reader, I can only imagine this would feel quite strange and isolating.
The story itself was quite a strange one, but definitely interesting. Thomas and his father are aliens from the planet Ormingat. They arrived on Earth when Thomas was a very young child. His father had volunteered for this service following the death of Thomas's mother. Their job is just to fit in and observe humanity. The people of Ormingat want to learn as much as they can about humans as they expect them to come their way one day. There is a network of Ormingats on Earth taking care of each other, although they don't interact.
The story begins near Christmas in the small English village where they live. Patrick knows their time on Earth is coming to its pre-set deadline and they will have to leave. Thomas doesn't want to leave, but his love for his father is stronger than his desire to stay with Stella or his friends, and as they begin their journey to where they buried their tiny spaceship, he begins to become more Tonitheen than Thomas.
An accident happens and Thomas and Patrick are separated. The rest of the story, Thomas is in hospital, and Patrick is trying to get back to him. This brings us to the weirdest part of the story - what is described as diminishing. They can become tiny and then very large. It happens to Patrick by accident and he faces some challenges getting back to Thomas.
Like many other stories of this type, it ends with a public mystery but a private triumph. I see there are two sequels and I wonder if we will find out more about what became of Vateelin and Tonitheen after their departure, and of the their friends, Stella, Mickey, and Jamie.
The story itself was quite a strange one, but definitely interesting. Thomas and his father are aliens from the planet Ormingat. They arrived on Earth when Thomas was a very young child. His father had volunteered for this service following the death of Thomas's mother. Their job is just to fit in and observe humanity. The people of Ormingat want to learn as much as they can about humans as they expect them to come their way one day. There is a network of Ormingats on Earth taking care of each other, although they don't interact.
The story begins near Christmas in the small English village where they live. Patrick knows their time on Earth is coming to its pre-set deadline and they will have to leave. Thomas doesn't want to leave, but his love for his father is stronger than his desire to stay with Stella or his friends, and as they begin their journey to where they buried their tiny spaceship, he begins to become more Tonitheen than Thomas.
An accident happens and Thomas and Patrick are separated. The rest of the story, Thomas is in hospital, and Patrick is trying to get back to him. This brings us to the weirdest part of the story - what is described as diminishing. They can become tiny and then very large. It happens to Patrick by accident and he faces some challenges getting back to Thomas.
Like many other stories of this type, it ends with a public mystery but a private triumph. I see there are two sequels and I wonder if we will find out more about what became of Vateelin and Tonitheen after their departure, and of the their friends, Stella, Mickey, and Jamie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2022
Thomas, 11, and his father, Patrick, have lived a seemingly ordinary existence in the cozy northern English village of Belthorp for 5 years with their next door neighbor Stella working as their nanny/cook. In reality, however, Thomas and Patrick are Tonitheen and Vateelin, aliens from the planet Ormingat sent to Earth on a mission to record the doings of this planet's inhabitants. Thomas has kept a journal of his observations since he first arrived. Now their five-year stint is nearly over, and father and son expect to return to their planet the day after Christmas, even though neither one is happy to leave. On their way to recover their golf-ball-size space ship, stowed in Edinburgh, a dramatic traffic accident separates the pair. Patrick cannot be located and the truck driver involved in the accident is positive that he hit the man in the sheepskin coat. Thomas is left unidentifiable in a hospital, in a state of shock. By the author of The Mennyms. I couldn’t put this book down…Until the final countdown for Tonitheen’s and Vaeelin’s departure back to Ormingat, the ending is hard to predict. Will the pair meet up with each other in time for take-off? Will they decide to stay on Earth? Will Thomas decide to return to Stella and Mickey in Belthorp if his father is not found? Emotions of love, friendship, doubts, and loyalties between family and friends is a strong theme throughout. I consider this to be one of the better science fiction books that I have read, especially in terms of explaining Ormingat science of the workings of the spaceship. The mission on Earth was explained extremely well. I also found it interesting that the religious references made by the Ormingatites were similar to what an Earthling might use, for example about God and having faith. The attention to detail is evident and the story is plausible. Good for grades 4-6.
December 7, 2023
Growing up I loved Sylvia Waugh’s Mennyms books reading them over and over. (Most recently in 2014 according to my Goodreads account.) But it was only recently I discovered she wrote a second series, The Ormingat Trilogy.
Through PaperbackSwap, I was able to track down a copy of the first, Space Race. (It’s a former library copy, sent to me from Alaska.) I read it and, as hoped, loved it just as much as her others.
Once again there’s a magic and mysterious feel to the story. The author said in an interview that she writes, “what it means to be human by exploring the lives of those who are not,” which captures her books so well. While the Memnyms are a live-sized living doll family, not too surprising from the title here, in Space Race we follow a family of aliens.
There’s so much heart (and heartbreaking scenes as well) inside. I raced through it because I had to know what happens. Now to track down the second in the trilogy, Earthborn, which is of course out of print, but thankfully seems to be available either digitally or secondhand.
5/5
Through PaperbackSwap, I was able to track down a copy of the first, Space Race. (It’s a former library copy, sent to me from Alaska.) I read it and, as hoped, loved it just as much as her others.
Once again there’s a magic and mysterious feel to the story. The author said in an interview that she writes, “what it means to be human by exploring the lives of those who are not,” which captures her books so well. While the Memnyms are a live-sized living doll family, not too surprising from the title here, in Space Race we follow a family of aliens.
There’s so much heart (and heartbreaking scenes as well) inside. I raced through it because I had to know what happens. Now to track down the second in the trilogy, Earthborn, which is of course out of print, but thankfully seems to be available either digitally or secondhand.
5/5
May 25, 2018
This book was nothing like I expected it to be. It was recommended to me, and I was reluctant to read it as I thought it was more of a factual book on space travel. However, it turned out to be an exciting alien race to get to the home planet before the spaceship departs. As the alien father and son have assumed human form in order to integrate and learn about Earth, sounds like a cliche but it's more than that, the characters are not only believable but also likeable. This was a page-turner filled with humour, suspense and human kindness. The short chapters add to the urgency of the scenario, encouraging readers to get through just another couple of pages...
This is the perfect holiday read, especially as it is only 200 odd pages and lightweight, or an enjoyable bedtime book. Equally it could be finished in an afternoon, and it certainly wouldn't be a waste of time.
This is the perfect holiday read, especially as it is only 200 odd pages and lightweight, or an enjoyable bedtime book. Equally it could be finished in an afternoon, and it certainly wouldn't be a waste of time.
May 17, 2023
My second time reading this child's sci-fi story, by British author, Waugh, who started publishing in 1987, with her first book "The Mennyms". I enjoyed this "conflict", coming-of-age" story about eleven-year-old Thomas Derwent and his father. Thomas learns that who he thought he was has been a lie. How do you decide who your family is? Is it just blood-relations or does it include all those who care about and love you? His whole life is about to drastically change - can he stop it?
September 28, 2019
it’s not a race at all, barely any thrill in the story of thomas and patrick’s part of it was my favorite (if i take the lead from the title)
it’s a heartbreaking hospital story and an action packed journey home, and not necessarily a space race
it could’ve been lots better
it’s a heartbreaking hospital story and an action packed journey home, and not necessarily a space race
it could’ve been lots better
March 18, 2022
A tremendous start to an excellent YA SF series. I knew that my daughter had excellent taste in books when she took delight in the Ormingat books. Not too many years later she was reading Anna Karenina on her phone. Perfect for a smart reader of any age.
August 20, 2018
I read this book way back in the 4th grade, but can't get it out of my head. I remember it was so enthralling I read it all in one go, one day over February break.
August 18, 2012
1. I didn't really like "Space Race" by Sylvia Waugh. I say this because I didn't like the problem. For example, Thomas the main character's dad wants to go back to their home planet Ormingat,page 32 and Thomas doesn't want and I think that problem is really boring and that problem never gets solved because in the end he does go back. Also I didn't like this book because it went at a very slow pace like Thomas and his dad's journey just to get to their spaceship, page 1-241.
2. Someone who would like this book is a fantasy lover. I say this because Thomas in the book was talking about how he and his dad are from another planet called Ormingat which they came to Earth and they have an alien language and names. Like Thomas' real name is Lotitheen and his dad's real name is Valiteen.
3. One challenging aspect of this book was the book going at a very slow pace. The reason this was a challenging aspect was because there were certain points where in the book where it was getting confusing on what was the topic because some things went on to long and gave more detail than needed.
4. One theme I learned while reading this book is to stand up to people in order to get the things you want. I say this because if Thomas was to stand up to his dad from the beginning he would've stayed on earth. But by the end he has the choice because he stood up to his dad but now all of a sudden he wants to go back to his home planet.
2. Someone who would like this book is a fantasy lover. I say this because Thomas in the book was talking about how he and his dad are from another planet called Ormingat which they came to Earth and they have an alien language and names. Like Thomas' real name is Lotitheen and his dad's real name is Valiteen.
3. One challenging aspect of this book was the book going at a very slow pace. The reason this was a challenging aspect was because there were certain points where in the book where it was getting confusing on what was the topic because some things went on to long and gave more detail than needed.
4. One theme I learned while reading this book is to stand up to people in order to get the things you want. I say this because if Thomas was to stand up to his dad from the beginning he would've stayed on earth. But by the end he has the choice because he stood up to his dad but now all of a sudden he wants to go back to his home planet.
December 9, 2011
Genre: Science Fiction
Thomas and his father Patrick are aliens. Patrick tells Thomas that they will be leaving Earth to return to The Other Place, Thomas is afraid to leave the only home he has ever known and the people he cares about. After getting separated from his father Thomas must choose whether he wants to stay on Earth or return to The Other Place with his father.
Plot
Thomas finds himself in a very unique situation; he is being forced to move by his parent, but not to another city or country, but to another planet. I think this situation would contribute to a wonderful discussion on what students would do if they were put in this situation. It is a way to get students to think critically about being individuals and making choices and how those choices affect our lives. On page 90 and 91, Thomas is forced to think about what he will say when people start to ask what has happened to his father. Thomas must make a tough decision, whether to stay on Earth or join his father for another planet.
Curriculum Connection: Grade level would be 4th-6th grade. This would be a good book to include in a lesson on space and astronomy, or on a lesson on choices.
Thomas and his father Patrick are aliens. Patrick tells Thomas that they will be leaving Earth to return to The Other Place, Thomas is afraid to leave the only home he has ever known and the people he cares about. After getting separated from his father Thomas must choose whether he wants to stay on Earth or return to The Other Place with his father.
Plot
Thomas finds himself in a very unique situation; he is being forced to move by his parent, but not to another city or country, but to another planet. I think this situation would contribute to a wonderful discussion on what students would do if they were put in this situation. It is a way to get students to think critically about being individuals and making choices and how those choices affect our lives. On page 90 and 91, Thomas is forced to think about what he will say when people start to ask what has happened to his father. Thomas must make a tough decision, whether to stay on Earth or join his father for another planet.
Curriculum Connection: Grade level would be 4th-6th grade. This would be a good book to include in a lesson on space and astronomy, or on a lesson on choices.
January 1, 2010
First book in the "Ormingat" trilogy, Space Race is a unique a fun read. 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.
September 17, 2012
A kid's book I picked up at the beach house. It is about a father and son alien who have lived with humans for a few years and now need to return home. The kid grew up as an earthling and is having a hard time coping with the idea of returning to an unknown home. Cute idea, but not very well written. It seemed to drag out details that were uninteresting and breeze past where more detail and explaining was needed.
August 1, 2008
This has got to be one of the most boring books for kids I've read in a long time. My son (10 years old) read it for a book report and kept telling me that there was nothing to say because nothing happened. I didn't believe him, so I read it myself -- and he was right! It was 241 pages of boredom! We had trouble coming up with enough material to fill a one-page book report. Snnooooooooozzzze.
February 18, 2011
Thomas and his father live a quiet life in a small English village, but they are much more than they seem: they are aliens from the planet of Ormingat on a secret and peaceful mission. The trouble begins when they are separated on their way to their camouflaged spaceship for their return home. A lovely story about friendship, loyalty and hope.
April 5, 2016
A very good story about James and his father who live in Britain, but must return to their planet Ormingat. On their way to the spaceship, they get separated and strange things happen to them both.
I really liked this. It was warm and comfortable somehow. There is a sequel, I will read next!
I really liked this. It was warm and comfortable somehow. There is a sequel, I will read next!
September 26, 2007
This is a wonderful book for children who are interested in sci-fi. It also touches on issues of abandonment, friendship, being different, and self-reliance.
July 13, 2008
I liked the diminishing part because it seemed like Vatileen and Tonitheen were disappearing but they really got really really small.
July 3, 2009
A pretty decent start to science fiction for a 10 year old. i thought there would be more parts in space, though so i was mildly dissapointed.
February 24, 2010
The book is awsome. It was assigned to us for RLA and it's one of the best books I've ever read. I also heard there is a sequel.
March 17, 2011
I read this book about a month ago with my class it is a really good book.
February 6, 2012
This book was really great if you like sci fi you'll love it <(")
July 7, 2012
I really enjoyed this science fiction novel about an alien dad and son whose time to leave Earth has arrived.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews