Stinker From Space

An alien crash lands and assumes the body of a skunk. With the help of new friends, Stinker must return to his planet without undue interference from NASA or the neighborhood skunks.

An agent of the Sylon Confederacy, fleeing from enemy ships, crash lands on Earth, transfers his mind to the body of a skunk, and enlists the aid of two children in getting back to his home planet.

The alien who assumed a skunk's body in Stinker from Space is back, this time to conduct a madcap quest through Washington, D.C. — with the police and NASA officials hot on his trail.

Alien agent Tsynq Yr, still inhabiting the body of a skunk, returns to Earth and enlists Jonathan and Karen's help in finding a souvenir from Washington, D.C., for a threatening space despot.

Teach the basics of astronomical and space science using lively retellings of traditional folktales and quality children's literature. Reproducible activities and project ideas that meet NSTA standards combine stories and facts with language arts, math, science, art, and music, using the multiple intelligences approach. An extensive bibliography and other resources, such as addresses for Web sites and organizations in the area of astronomy and space science, are included. Grades 3-6 (adaptable to other levels).

Much literature for children appears in the form of series, in which familiar characters appear in book after book. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, authors began to write science fiction series for children. These early series generally had plots that revolved around inventions developed by the protagonist. But it was the development and use of rocket and atomic science during World War II that paved the way for interesting and exciting new themes, conflicts, and plots. While much has been written about the early juvenile science fiction series, particularly the Tom Swift books, comparatively little has been written about children's science fiction series published since 1945. This book provides a broad overview of this previously neglected topic. The volume offers a critical look at the history, themes, characters, settings, and construction of post-1945 juvenile science fiction series, including the A.I. Gang, the Animorphs, Commander Toad, Danny Dunn, Dragonfall Five, the Magic School Bus, and Space Cat. The book begins with an introductory history of juvenile science fiction since 1945, with chapters then devoted to particular topics. Some of these topics include the role of aliens and animals, attitudes toward humor, the absence and presence of science, and the characterization of women. A special feature is an appendix listing the various series. In addition, the volume provides extensive bibliographical information.

Selected for their high interest, appealing formats, appropriate reading levels, outstanding writing, and popularity, these contemporary, spellbinding titles (20 for grades 5-8 and 20 for grades 9-12) reflect a variety of genres and themes that will encourage lifelong literacy. Given for each title are genre and themes, review citations, author information, plot summary, reading and interest rankings, booktalks, literature extensions, alternative book report suggestions, and reproducible bookmarks that suggest further reading.