This Place Has No Atmosphere
Grade 6-9 A mischievous spoof of a science fiction novel as well as a warm and funny saga about a teen of the future who is having severe difficulty adjusting to a family move. Aurora's parents are overjoyed to have been invited to inhabit a colony on the moon, but like any teen, Aurora is devastated by the thought of leaving her boyfriend and a school where she feels important. Her trip in the space shuttle is as unhappy as her arrival on the moon, which has No Atmosphere , at least not for Aurora. At the low point of her depression, she suggests to 16-year-old Hal that they produce a play and involve all the kids in the tiny moon colony. Eventually Aurora's parents become more involved with her, she finds she actually likes little kids, and she listens when a teacher tells her that we are "not always the center," but rather a "part of the Universe." This is a good family story with characters that have believable faults. Danziger has a keen ear for teenage jokes and chatter; puns, some witty and some corny, punctuate the realistic dialogue. Aurora's story suggests to middle school readers that the teens of 2057 will suffer the same bittersweet emotions as those of today, and that caring friends, a loving family, and a sense of humor are important anywhere. Phyllis Graves, Creekwood Middle School, Kingwood, Tex.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.