A & E Television Networks. Young Investigator’s Guide To Ancient Aliens.

A & E Television Networks.  Young Investigator’s Guide To Ancient Aliens.  Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press  2015  106p.  $14.99  ISBN 978-1-62672-063-3  ms/hs  Nonfiction  VG-BN   

Young Investigator’s Guide to Ancient Aliens explores the controversial theory that extraterrestrials have been visiting the earth for millions of years.  The book has been beautifully organized in a way that will entice any curious mind.  The choices of examples used as evidence of visitation are positively well-thought-out and will appeal to most readers.

The content is divided into several sections: “The Basics” answers the questions of what the aliens look like, where they came from, and why.  A visually explicit timeline helps readers understand the time frame. Colorful photographs also support the text in all sections of the book.

Part II is the evidence section in which readers learn about the findings of vast underground and underwater cities, pyramids, and crop circles. I found the discovery of a birdlike relic in a pyramid (Saqqua bird, which was later proven capable of flying) very thought-provoking.
    

Part III discusses aliens in our time.  Or are they just exceptional persons?  Readers will discover crystal skulls with magical powers, legendary heroes like King Arthur and Joan of Arc, and legendary monsters like the Loch Ness Monster, chimeras, The Kracken, and Bigfoot.
    

Ancient astronaut theorists have covered noteworthy examples from the Maoi on Easter Island to the long-suspected extraterrestrial activity in the Dragon’s and Bermuda Triangles.

All in all, this will be a popular book in any library.  It is well written and very informative.  An index supports library research.
     

Summary: Young Investigator’s Guide to Ancient Aliens explores the controversial theory that extraterrestrials have visited the earth for millions of years.   

Aliens, Unexplained Mysteries                         --Linda McNeil

Kid’s Guide to Aliens.

Davis, Barbara. Kid’s Guide to Aliens.
Capstone Publishers 2010 32p 23.99 978-1-4296-3369-7 elm/ms
Kids’ Guide (Capstone) The Kids’ Guide to Aliens contains well-researched, documented stories about sightings as well as abductions. Children will learn enough to form judgments about the possibility that aliens have landed on Earth. From this series, Capstone has a book that the elementary teacher can use in the classroom as well as a book that will introduce the concept of aliens to the individual reader! The reader learns about various theories, from the construction of the pyramids in Egypt to the discovery of a spaceship in Roswell, New Mexico and the possible role of aliens in each. Barbara Davis fairly presents both sides to the argument about the existence of aliens in this well-researched book. There are many more references to actual sightings with complete stories for each. In addition, Barbara Davis introduces the young reader to the concept of alien abductions, and it is fascinating! Perhaps the most frightening is a tale about Travis Walton, a tale in which there were eyewitnesses to his claim of having been abducted and taken aboard a spaceship. Five coworkers saw him get knocked unconscious by a blue light shooting from a UFO, then remain unfound for five days! In the chapter entitled, “Types of Aliens”, we learn that there are Grays, Reptilians, Nordics and Hybrids. SETI, or the search of ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence, has set up radio telescopes to pick up signals from alien civilizations, and there are many scientists who hope to find such evidence. This valuable tool ends with a description of creatures who go into hibernation to survive temperatures exceeding negative 328 degrees Fahrenheit! This presents us with a new viewpoint about life in space and the ability of creatures to survive extremes. From the layout to the support photographs, and from the fun facts to the extraordinary stories chosen by Davis, this book is a wonderful resource. It ends with a glossary and a list of books to consult. Squaresky, Martha

Quofum. by Alan Dean Foster

Foster, Alan Dean. Quofum.
Ballantine (Random), 2008, 285p, $25.00, 978-0345-49605-8.

A scientific team is sent to Quorfum, a planet that sometimes isn’t where it should be in the galaxy. It is a thriller where scientifically ordered scientist have to deal with a world that is not logical, ordered, or rational. Unusual residents and odd occurrences are the norm for everyday activities.

The author has written a novel that will hold the interests of science fiction and adventure readers. It moves rapidly from one event to another constantly keeping the readers in suspense. It is also setting up further adventures for our scientists.
The wide variety of aliens shows a great imagination and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed the Stick-jellies to the fuzzies, to the hardshells, to the spikers with their unusual burrowing abilities. Each day the scientists discovered and catalogued never before seen flora and fauna with very unusual abilities. Several of these unusual inhabitants of this strange world were aggressive enough for the team to erect an electrified perimeter screen.
Scientists being what they are constantly try to find new and unusual things. This striving for the unknown led the scientist to an unbelievable discovery underground in a labyrinth of an energized warren of tubes.
All readers will enjoy this thriller and stay on the edge of their seats until the end. At which time they will be looking for the next book in the series to be printed. LM