Mickey Price: Journey to Oblivion

Gr 4–8—Implausibilities and deus ex machinas in the plot stretch credibility to the breaking point, and, at times, the writing is slightly overdone. That aside, this suspenseful and exciting story is a surefire suggestion for a wide variety of readers. Two NASA men approach 12-year-old orphan Mickey Price and invite him to a special camp. Similar invitations are extended to science whiz Jonah Jones and go-kart champion Trace Daniels, and upon arrival the three are surrounded by other young geniuses. Soon, however, they learn that the "camp" isn't for fun. It's 1977, tensions between the Soviet Union and the U.S. are high, and a failed secret American project on the Moon threatens a lunar nuclear meltdown. Mickey, Trace, Jonah, and two other kids (a computer hacker in Apple's early days and the son of NASA's director) blast off into space, find a monkey, jump over a canyon, and save the Moon. Historical details will appeal to those interested in recent American history, the astronomy and technological details are there for the scientifically minded, the action will hold even reluctant readers, and the humor is middle school all the way. Readers know that Mickey survives (because the narrative is set as a bedtime story from an adult Mickey to his incredulous children), but suspense is so tightly crafted that readers will be surprised that he makes it back at all, let alone in one piece.—Kyle Lukoff, Corlears School, New York City