This book is a compilation of letters written to Earthling, from the planet Earth, from Dethbert Jones, a 10.63 year old from the planet Crank. Dethbert describes his day-to-day activities and in doing so shows that he experiences many of the same feelings as a regular Earth boy. He is jealous of Stabwell Phillips, a rival for his love interest, Killian. He squabbles with his sister Shriekfest, and he has arguments with his best friend Andi, the robot.The planet Crank mirrors Earth in many ways, although in some aspects it is more evolved. Meat eating is not allowed because, “the animals don't like it”. Robots are autonomous. Andi has his own family, including his dad-bot. Police are no longer required because there is no longer any crime. Unfortunately, both Earth and Crank are still facing the pollution of the oceans.Dethbert and Andi have an adventure when they go off to Space Camp. After crash landing their spacecraft on the planet Blarch, they meet some interesting characters, including Albert, the crown prince of Grizzle, who happens to be a missing monarch and the mysterious Many- Clawed Beastie.Middle schoolers will love this book. It has a host of plays on words such as: Z-box games called Mortal Wombat, glueberry muffins, and the month of Mocktober. The tone is full of fun with lots of bathroom humour, such as the old standby, “creens,creens, the musical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot.” There are many references to “parpling” as well. Dethbert is full of hi-jinks and observations.This book could be used to introduce writing friendly letters, humour, the science fiction genre, and the use of plays on words.Thematic Links: Friendship; Growing Up; Outer Space

– Elizabeth Brown, Resource Links Reviews