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Greetings from Planet Earth

Greetings from Planet Earth

by Barbara Kerley

 * "Kerley's structure is in alternating transcripts of a recording for an unknown reader, and a third-person account of Theo's life with various sections labeled with geographic place names from the moon. The space capsule assignment reveals much about earthlings, and Mr. Meyer's insightful questioning brings a depth and universality to what is essentially one family's struggle with the past." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

It's 1977, and Theo and his class are creating a golden record inspired by the one Voyager 2 will carry into space.  But as Theo seraches for his own answer about life on Earth, questions begin to surface: What happened to his father in Vietnam? Where is he? And why has his mother been keepign secrets all these years?

In this unforgettable debut novel — written with rare economy and lucidity — Barbara Kerley explores the beauty of outer space, the devastation of war, and the difficult choices we are sometimes forced to make.  In doing so, she sensitively addresses the timeless question: What does it truly mean to be human?

11, 12, 13
Interest Level
Grades 6 - 8
Grade Level Equivalent
Lexile Measure
Scholastic Press
Number of Pages
Historical Fiction

About the Author

Barbara Kerley Barbara Kerley is the author of Walt Whitman: Words for America, The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins and Greetings from Planet Earth

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