Why on Earth

January 15, 2025
Teenagers from a far-off planet crash-land on Earth during a rogue rescue mission. Iona, a Trevval from the planet Trexyl, is willing to risk her entire future to rescue her brother, Axariam, who went on a mission five years ago and never returned. On Earth, cloaked in a human disguise, Axariam is a global celebrity named Max Spencer, but Iona knows that if her brother hasn't returned, he must be a hostage. When the ship's engine overheats, the five crew members desperately launch themselves into escape pods that scatter them across the United States. The ship, piloted by Iona, makes quite a splash as it crashes into the water off the coast of Santa Monica. This collection of short stories by popular YA authors, including Julian Winters, Eric Smith, M.K. England, Emily Lloyd-Jones, and Beth Revis, follows the aftermath of the alien ship's dramatic arrival from the perspectives of witnesses, whose lives are forever changed, and the Trevvals, who must reunite to complete their mission before midnight so their parents don't find out that they stole the ship. While each story features a self-contained conflict, the individual entries also build on one another, creating a satisfying and suspenseful overarching narrative. The cast forms a racially diverse ensemble, and many of the stories center on LGBTQ+ characters falling in love and finding community. This anthology twinkles with an adventurous spirit, quirky personalities, hope, and a sense of belonging. Stellar. (contributor bios)(Anthology. 14-18)

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February 1, 2025
Grades 9-12 During an impromptu rescue attempt, a group of teenage aliens crash lands on a human-populated planet. Despite the prologue's narration via quippy ship AI, these 11 stories are heartfelt and humorous in equal measure. Unlike some anthologies, these stories by a variety of writers have a throughline that links each piece together. It's not all disparate alien invasions, but rather how each set of characters in each individual story reacts to that prologue. Rather than commiserate over what may be the end of the world, Julian Winters writes about prioritizing asking out a crush over the end of the world. Alex North explores what it looks like as a figurative fish out of water to be helped by strangers, wherein a literal novelty singing bass steals the show. Beth Revis subtly expands the metaphorical escape pod when a farm kid, Lee, dreams of being anywhere else. A talented team provides a delightful romp focused on the power of love and understanding; this light sf anthology can successfully round out any teen collection.

COPYRIGHT(2025) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.