Game On!

July 15, 2021
Albert Kinney is a seventh grader with a lot on his mind. He's concerned about not making the soccer team, trying to understand why his former best friend hates him, and has been abducted by aliens who need him to play striker in an intergalactic tournament. Seventy-five years ago, in the Fŭigor Solar System, the planet Zeeno was occupied by inhabitants from the planet Tev. The Zeenods plan to use their success in the next tournament of Fŭigor johka--the most popular sport in the Milky Way and the precursor to Earth's soccer--to draw attention to their cause and eventually regain their planet. They need Albert to do it. If being sworn to secrecy and traveling to another solar system for practices using time-folding technology weren't enough, several attempts on Albert's life threaten his resolve. Luckily, the dog next door has been observing everything and has his own plan to protect Albert. This ambitious series opener starts out strong: Readers will instantly connect with Albert and his struggles at home, school, and with the sport he loves. Unfortunately, some will lose steam as the complex storyline unfolds; while there is a great deal of science fiction action, Albert spends more time on thought awareness preparation and cultivating his energy control than playing actual johka. An absence of physical descriptions makes the races of human characters difficult to determine. Middle school soccer meets Space Jam in this uneven adventure. (Science fiction. 9-12)

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September 17, 2021

Gr 4-7-Though seventh grader Albert Kinney doesn't make the school soccer team, he's chosen for a far more high stakes competition: The Alien Zeenods have selected him to play Johka. To regain control of their planet from the invading Tev, the Zeenods want to win the intergalactic Johka tournament and raise awareness of their suffering. Albert is just what they need to win. Unfortunately, not everyone wants to see him succeed. A jaded Zeenod tries to stop Albert, but a loving dog will do everything he can to protect the boy. This first book in a forthcoming intergalactic sports series will surely please science fiction readers. The writing is descriptive and elaborate without being burdensome. The characters are relatable and well developed with relationship issues and familiar family dynamics. While the ending is triumphant, it is also a bit predictable. Sci-fi fans will probably overlook that flaw and enjoy a solid alien story that doesn't strive to be overly comical or adventurous. VERDICT A solid choice for libraries looking to expand their intergalactic science fiction collections.-Kate Rao, Alhambra Civic Center Lib., Alhambra, CA

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