I became aware of Earth Shot via a friend of the author, Stephen, who urged me to read it. Within the first few pages, I could immediately see the appeal for young readers. Friendship, poo jokes and the expanse of the Suffolk countryside! Perfect combinations for adventure.
Lucas and Maisie have moved to Suffolk with their parents who will soon be opening a hotel here. Lucas’s best friend, Avi, is visiting from London and they are camping out in the garden.
Sudden flashes of light urge the boys and Maisie to head into the forest to explore. What they encounter is like nothing the movies would ever prepare you for. An escape pod and a badly hurt alien need their help but before they can do anything, they are surrounded by military from the nearby base. Grabbing a strange tablet and leaving the alien, the trio escape back home.
The next day, it is all over the news and the forest is crawling with armed guards and plenty of people with placards! A surreal experience awaits the trio as they discover more about this tablet they took and the plans for the aliens.
Action packed and balanced with humour and science, this is a fantastic first book in a series. I know schools in Suffolk would really benefit from this book as it is set in this county but offers some unique opportunities to create stories and illustrations.
There is much that could be incorporated into lessons with science fiction, facts and adventure being mixed together in a brilliant book. Not too long and with enough danger and villains to keep readers turning pages. It would be an ideal class read!
My Shelves Are Full 