Alien Investigation

October 1, 2012

Gr 4-6-The author begins with an alien alter ego named Yllek (Kelly spelled backwards) who is planning a possible journey through space. His perspective is sprinkled throughout this historical survey of UFO and extraterrestrial sightings, providing a humorous touch to the information. Beginning with a 1947 incident over Washington State, the narrative succinctly describes similar incidents in such places as Florida, Iran, Arizona, China, and New Mexico. One-page interviews with the witnesses of UFO/ET sightings inject personal details into the description. Possible terrestrial explanations follow each incident. Jaunty full-color illustrations flash off every page and provide a good contrast between what people claim to have seen and what the experts think they may have seen-clouds, lightning, and other weather phenomena; secret U.S. planes; weather balloons, etc. A double-page world map pinpoints modern sightings. A bibliography of books and websites and lists of UFO organizations and festivals might lead readers further into the field. While not as comprehensive as Eric Elfman's Almanac of Alien Encounters (Random, 2001) or as skeptical as Judith Herbst's UFOs (Lerner, 2005), this attractive, balanced view will update collections.-Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2012
Halls' alien investigation is about as exciting as your neighbor's vacation slides for the third time. Unidentified flying objects... really, what more do you need to send a thrill up your spine? A mysterious aircraft, colorful lights pulsing like mad, piloted by who knows what and on a mission to, at the very least, shock the pants off any witness here on Earth, why not be agog and aghast? Plus, there are lots of stories out there, lots of photographs, too, to keep even most skeptics scratching their heads. So why, then, does Halls fail to serve forth the goods? It's another mystery, if not as compelling as Roswell or the Rendlesham Forest. Considering the slippery nature of the subject, it is critical that the meatiest evidence be presented, and Halls' use of archival photographs is particularly uninspiring. The accompanying text is likewise deflating. Typical of her enthusiasm is this close encounter with alien lights: "A squadron of F-94 fighters was scrambled (quickly sent up) to pursue them but was unsuccessful. 'They've surrounded my plane, ' one pilot reported. 'What should I do?' " This is considered unsuccessful? And what, pray, did the pilot do? A superbly provocative topic drained of all its color. (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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April 1, 2012
Grades 5-8 Halls takes a three-pronged approach to the perennially fascinating topic of UFOs, with looks at famous (and not-so-famous) incidents of sightings, landings, and alien bodies; interviews with people who are convinced they have had alien encounters; and a fictional story about aliens visiting earth (with trepidation, the way astronauts might visit Mars). The latter, illustrated with neon-colored, computer-generated artwork, probably could have been eliminated. But the rest of the materialwith stories of alien visits since 1947 from all parts of the world and interviews with experts and ordinary citizensis intriguing and presented in a way sure to capture kids' imaginations. The organization is a bit lacking, but all the important points about UFOs are covered (including hoaxes), and the lively format, with plenty of art and graphic elements, will hold attention. Several times, Halls invites readers to come to their own conclusions, and she provides plenty of information to let them do just that. A glossary and source notes are appended.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2012
With a surprisingly even-handed tone, this book uses an interest in aliens to inspire scientific inquiry. It discusses the history of UFO sightings, crashes, and hoaxes, providing thoroughly researched, factual information while remaining non-judgmental about unexplained phenomena. A fictionalized thread of an alien mission is interspersed with the nonfiction. The author's interviews with experts and witnesses are particularly insightful. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)