With both International Observe the Moon Night (October 1st) and World Space Week (October 4th-10th) in October, there isn’t a better month to look up and wonder…is there anyone else out there? This month’s S-Collection blog features books about aliens, UFOs, and other intergalactic mysteries that are sure to delight and intrigue any young reader. The aliens in the picture books and middle grade fiction books presented here tend to be friendly, lovable, and eager to learn about life on Earth, even if they make a few mistakes along the way. However, if your reader is more interested in getting the facts straight, they might find what they’re looking for in the juvenile nonfiction selection. These books take a deep dive into space exploration and what proof–if any–scientists have found for alien life. Whether you’re looking for laughs or for answers, the S-Collection has what you need to investigate aliens this October!
Picture Books
Beckmeyer, Drew
The First Week of School. 2024. Picture Book.
The first week of school is tough enough without an unexpected alien visitor! In this elaborate and colorful picture book, we follow multiple students, all with their own obstacles to overcome, as they navigate the wild world of elementary school under the watchful eye of the class’s bearded dragon, Pat. However, one of them isn’t a student–they’re “Nobody,” a blue, well-dressed alien with one large green eye as their only facial feature. Nobody and the students, as well as their teacher and class pet, learn, grow, and deal with their worries during their eventful first week at school. Readers will be shocked at the surprise ending, which won’t be spoiled here–check it out for yourself!
Q. SE. B3895fi
Biedrzycki, David
Invasion of the Unicorns. 2021. Picture Book.
Some aliens are spooky, slimy, and all-out scary, and some just happen to look exactly like a plush stuffed unicorn. This is the case with Bubble07, who has been sent to Earth to prepare for the upcoming unicorn invasion! However, life on Earth is a bit sweeter than Bubble07 thought it would be. During the days they spend spying on their adoptive family, Bubble07 gets to experience many exciting things, from delicious desserts to changing seasons to birthday celebrations. In the end, this sneaky unicorn has a different idea for what their species should do on Earth…and it involves a little less invading, and a little more partying!
Q. SE. B475in
Sauer, Tammi
Illustrated by: Goro Fujita
Your Alien. 2015. Picture Book.
In this heartwarming story, told in the unique 2nd-person, a young boy happens to become the guardian of a tiny green alien that has been stranded on Earth. Although the two have fun together as they play, learn, and amaze the boy’s classmates, it doesn’t prevent the alien from getting homesick and lonely when the sun sets. It turns out that this alien, just like the boy, is a child, and they greatly miss their family up in space. Luckily, the young boy has an idea to get the family’s attention. The beautiful art style perfectly complements this tale about friendship and returning home.
Q. SE. Sa857y
Middle Grade
Brennan, Megan
Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess. 2024. Middle Grade.
In this lively and colorful graphic novel, Kira, a 7th-grade student at the Neo-Earth Junior High, learns it’s important to be careful what you wish for. After her arch-nemesis becomes a premier Magical Girl in their fantasy high school, Kira decides it’s time to find a way to become a Magical Girl herself. One wish on a shooting star later, and the universe sends her what she asked for…in the form of a cat-like self-proclaimed space princess named Catacorn. Unfortunately, Catacorn has her own plans for her time at Neo-Earth Junior High, and Kira soon finds herself locked in a battle against evil of galactic proportions.
S.741.5973 B7508maki
Hale, Nathan
Apocalypse Taco. 2019. Middle Grade.
When middle-school twins Axl and Ivan accompany their high school friend Sid to pick up food from Taco Bear one late evening, no one expects it to turn into the adventure of a lifetime. Before they know it, the tacos turn into tiny monsters, and the town they know and love becomes nothing more than an ooey gooey replica. It turns out that they have been transported to an alien dimension intent on copying not only the world but its inhabitants. As spooky as this is, the book manages to remain lighthearted and funny as the kids fight through the apocalypse to find their way back home.
S.741.5973 H134ap
Van Eekhout, Greg
Weird Kid. 2021. Middle Grade.
Jake may look like any other boy at his middle school, but he has a rather surprising secret: he’s not quite human. Much like the comic book heroes that he loves so much, Jake is an alien stranded on Earth, doing his best to fit in, make friends, and, of course, control his shapeshifting. When Jake meets Agnes, who loves comic books just as much as him, he gains a friend…and a partner to help him investigate the mysteries in his town. Jake and Agnes soon find themselves wrapped up in an intergalactic adventure that will connect Jake not only to his roots as an alien but to his found family on Earth.
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Juvenile Nonfiction
Fleming, Candace
Crash from Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell. 2022. Juvenile Nonfiction.
Renowned children’s author Candace Fleming sheds light on the topic of extraterrestrial life in this engaging collection, which opens by exploring the infamous UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico. After explaining the truth surrounding this incident, Fleming moves on to dozens of more recent UFO and alien sightings, some which were proven to be false and others that are still left unsolved. The book has a scrapbook-like design, including tons of photographs, first-hand sources such as newspapers, and fantastical illustrations, making this an exciting and informative read.
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Gifford, Clive.
Illustrated by: Scoular Anderson.
How to Meet Aliens. 2001. Juvenile Nonfiction.
In this installment of Clive Gifford’s “How To” series, curious readers will learn everything they need to know to prepare for their first encounter with an alien. Gifford’s simple steps, accompanied by colorful and engaging pictures, let young scientists know the history of alien sightings and where best to search for extraterrestrial life. Clive is sure to point out that a lot of stories about aliens and UFOs are far from the truth. Separating fiction from fact is a big part of this engaging guide, and the tone perfectly fluctuates from informative to silly throughout.
S.576.839 G366h
Morancy, Joalda
Illustrated by: Amy Grimes
Aliens: Join the Scientists Searching Space for Extraterrestrial Life. 2022. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This fascinating book tackles all the tough questions that kids may have about life on other planets, viewing each hypothesis and theory, no matter how strange, with a critical and scientific lens. There are, after all, real scientists taking the possibility of extraterrestrial life very seriously, carefully scouring each corner of the universe for any signs of life beyond Earth. Kids will be amazed by these scientists’ stories and the evidence they have gathered so far. The vibrant artwork showcases the beauty of space and will draw any reader in who has big questions about our even bigger universe.
S.576.839 M7939al
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