You hate school. Your family is beyond annoying. Your only friend comes from a different planet, and she’s about to leave.
What’s a girl to do?
Fed up with life on Earth, Esme stows away on the spaceship taking Stella back to Planet Kratos.
So begins Esme’s adventure into a world beyond the stars. A world of strange creatures, thrilling journeys, heroic rescues and instant fame.
Oh, and school. Lots of school.
Along the way she discovers that friends may be greener on the other side, but they still can’t be trusted.
Millions and billions of light years away from Earth, she sets in motion a plan to escape. Unfortunately for her, they aren’t about to let their prize exhibit leave anytime soon…
It 's my pleasure to be hosting the blog tour for #galaxygirl by Bev Smith today. Many thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me and for sending me a copy of the book.
Esme Tickle 's story might be incredible but her problems will be relatable to many of the young people who read this hugely enjoyable book. As the eldest child in her family, she feels her single mum doesn't have time for her. She believes her mum puts her boyfriends first and for all her humour, she's actually a rather lonely figure at the start of the book. When she is befriended by an alien, Stella, it's not surprising then that life on a different planet should be so tempting. Why wouldn't she want to go to a place where for once she is made to feel special?
The story is told through a series of blog posts Esme writes while on Kratos and addressed to her mum back on Earth. Her self-deprecating sense of humour and wry observations mean this is an easy read and I'm sure it will have great appeal to those who enjoy the chatty and approachable style of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates books. However, although it's a fun read, it also explores some touching themes and its frank honesty of the issues facing children wouldn't be out of place in one of Jacqueline Wilson's novels. Bev Smith's experience working with young people shows here, as she clearly understands what attracts children to certain stories.
#galaxygirl is a fresh, witty and contemporary book with universally recognized topics at the heart of it. Just as Dorothy realises 'there's no place like home' so Esme has to travel far from her home before she can learn just what she needs - and it's not a new alien family. There's plenty of adventures before that, though and her life on Kratos is never dull. The planet is vividly described with its inhabitants much more than just strange looking creatures. This might be Esme's story but I grew to care about her alien family too. I can't find too much away here because I don't want to spoil the book but there's one inspirational quoting member of the family who I fell in love with.
I'm delighted to learn that there is going to be a series of #galaxygirl books and I look forward to reading more of Esme's adventures in the future. I work in a primary school and I'll definitely be recommending #galaxygirl to the older children there - I'm sure they'll enjoy it at least as much as I did.
#galaxygirl can be purchased from Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Don't miss the rest of the blog tour, details are below.
About the Author
Having single-parented her three daughters, she’s been ferociously playing catch up with this writing lark. She recently completed a Masters in Writing for Children at Winchester University. #galaxygirl is her debut middle-grade book.
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Please note: This giveaway is courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources and in no way the responsibility of Hair Past A Freckle.
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