We're Not from Here

There’s stuff in the publishing industry that “everybody knows”. For example, it wasn’t that long ago that “everybody knew” that books with green covers wouldn’t sell. Then Percy Jackson comes along and so much for that theory (it’s sepia covers that don't sell, anyway). “Everybody knew” that kids weren’t all that into fantasy right up until the moment Harry Potter started a worldwide craze. But there’s a pretty persistent “everybody knows” theory floating around out there that continues to this day. It seems that “everybody knows” that kids don’t read science fiction. Star Wars stuff? Not real science fiction thanks to that mystical component. Post-apocalyptic stuff? Too realistic to be considered science fiction. No, we’re talking space opera type stuff. Rocket ships. Aliens. The whole enchilada. But this year, 2019, is also the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, and I’ve noticed an ever-so-slight shift in the number of space related children’s books hitting the market. There’s the usual historical, factual stuff . . . and then there’s the pure science fiction. Books like We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey. Unapologetically bold, it wears its little science fiction loving heart on its sleeve. Managing to also be funny and strangely poignant, this isn’t a book about “Why can’t we all just get along?” It’s about what happens when our differences are so glaring we have no choice but to acknowledge that they’re there at all.

It’s not like the human race really wanted to go to Choom, but it’s also not like it really had a choice in the matter. Earth was officially an ex-planet, beyond hope or repair. Attempts to colonize other moons and planets had yielded bupkiss. And best of all, the four species that reside together on Choom (many of which were refugees themselves) were happy to give the humans a chance. It would just take twenty years of bio-suspension for the people to get to Choom. Trouble is, when they arrive the government of Choom has changed and the planet is rejecting them. Humans are too violent a species to accept, they say. That’s why Lan’s family is selected as the guinea pigs to give Choom a try. If they can convince the three dominant species (when did it become three?) to accept them, they’ll have saved humanity. Trouble is, humanity is pretty hard to save when dark governmental forces are determined to turn you away.

The other day I was listening to a critique of the film Green Book and the critic was talking about how regressive the message was. “It confuses prejudice with racism”. For some reason, this line kept coming back to me as I considered this book. I was thinking about how this story would have been constructed even ten years ago. The notion of humans having to prove their worthiness to immigrate to a planet isn’t necessarily new, but what might be new are some of the elements surrounding their arrival. In this book the government has changed since the humans were last in contact with the planet. This government is, as Marf (essentially a friendly superintelligent giant marshmallow) explains it, more conservative than the last one. They don’t want to cause genocide by denying a species access to their planet, but they also don’t want them there. The simple answer then is to fill the televisions with fake news showing the humans out of context. That’s not something I think we would have seen in a middle grade novel in the past. Then there’s the solution to the problem. The humans are initially being asked to assimilate and by the story’s end it’s interesting to note that while they are still trying in some areas (sports, for example) they’ve also carved out their own specific parts in the culture where they thrive. They integrate but remain separate in specific ways. In short, Rodkey knows the difference between prejudice and racism (or, in this case, species-ism).

Ultimately the humans use two skills to win over the planet: humor and music. Put another way, the human race is saved by what essentially boils down to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “American Idol”. But along the way there’s a lot of serious consideration about government, mob mentalities, and why we offer refuge to others. Like any good science fiction author, Rodkey knows that an alien planet full of giant mosquitoes is never just an alien planet full of giant mosquitoes. As a result, he has to figure out how much he can say about the times we are currently in, while remaining true to this story and avoiding the dreaded soapbox. It’s a balancing act, honestly. When do you joke and when are you serious? What’s important enough to mention and what do you elide? Finding the right mix is the key. Fortunately, the man is up to the challenge.

It helps that the book really is funny. I mean, right from the start Lan’s talking about how they first heard about Planet Choom when taking a break from filming a video called “Top Ten Toilets of the Mars Station”. I’m not ashamed to say that if I were on the station I would have completely have been on board with that video. Later, when Lan’s family has settled on Choom, Lan meets Marf of the Ororo species and comes up against her dry, deadpan humor. The first time she meet Lan she says she’s there to “convert you to our religion.” For half a second there I fell for it, like Lan, and started having flashbacks to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. But once she starts describing the painful (and utterly fake) conversion process (“As part of the initiation, Ezger will have to chew off one of your arms. But you will find great spiritual meaning in your suffering”) I knew I’d found my favorite alien. Rodkey isn’t all laughs all the time, but when Lan decides that the only way to save the human race is to make it appear ridiculous (and, therefore, harmless) I had all sorts of real world equivalency thoughts. Get ‘em with the funny, then secure ‘em with the beauty (the music in this case).

We’re Not From Here looks like other silly science fiction tales, but choices were made throughout that kept catching my interest. For example, the main character, Lan, is never defined as being either a boy or a girl. It’s not something I actually noticed on a first read. I had to have it pointed out to me, and once I did I was intrigued to find that the publisher went along with it. Lan on the cover could be male or female. Lan is never referred to as either “he” or “she” in the text. I made note of this. Then there’s the fact that the family prays. We don’t know their religion or to whom they pray. We just know that in times of trial the dad suggested “Why don't we all pray?” and that when they did, “It helped a little.” Prayer, as ubiquitous as it may be in some American households, is very rarely mentioned in works of fiction that are not already overtly about religion. The mention Rodkey includes is casual, a part of day-to-day life, and never the central focus of the tale. It just grounds the book in a specific reality. One notable in its rarity.

There’s not a children’s middle grade book out there right now that isn’t weighted down by the times in which we live. The trick is knowing how to take that knowledge and turn it into something useful. When people round up the books about immigration and refugees that came out in 2019, it is unlikely that they’ll think to include a silly little space tale of humans and the bugs that sport the personality of the Muppets’ Sam the Eagle. Still, it would be foolish to disregard We’re Not From Here. As the very name implies, sometimes you can say a lot with the impossible. Whether they’re winning their enemies over with laughter or silencing them with humanity’s greatest gifts, the kids in this book know what it’s like to be the outsider. Let’s hope they can show some of our real world kids a little of that empathy. After all, that’s what science fiction does best. And that’s why kids eat it up when given half a chance. Forget what the professionals say. Loads of kids are going to find this book a blast, space opera or no.

For ages 9-12.

Science fiction for kids. Funny (not fake funny) for kids. Out of the world but the way the world is here on Earth today. A really good story filled with Things to Think About. For example: the 10- year -old girl I gave it to likes it because a girl is the most important character. Her boy cousin disagrees. That most important character is a boy. They do agree that the second most important character is Music. And that immigration was not what either of them thought is was. Funny. Seriously. Don't know a kid who wouldn't like to read it at least once.

I read this book on a 4 hour flight home and was totally entertained. Middle-schoolers (any gender), and kids who read at that level will enjoy it - regardless of what genre they typically read. It touches on themes that kids can relate to with engaging humor. The characters are gender-less, which makes it easy for kids to fill in the blanks with their own imaginations. Highly recommend!

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!!! Totally recommended!!!

What would you do if the entire human population's fate rested on your shoulders?
This is what Lan and his family are having to do, they are trying to save the humans that are left after Earth was destroyed. They have been living on Mars for about a year but life is not good so they contacted Planet Choom. The official on Planet Choom agreed for them to come live there but after the long time travel, the new authorities have changed their minds. The problem is, the humans don't have enough fuel or supplies to live much longer. They have to find a way to convince the powers in charge to change their mind. The Zhuri, mosquito looking creatures, are in charge and they agree to allow one family to come on to their planet for a trial run. The Zhuri know that humans are violent... I mean, hello, they destroyed their own planet. Lan, his sister, Ila, and their parents are selected to go because of their talents, especially Ila, who is a fantastic singer. When they arrive on Planet Choom things are not very good because a large mob of Zhuri want to kill them immediately. Things don't seem to be going so well but they do meet a few Zhuri that seem to be on their side and want them there. There are also two other species on Planet Choom, the Kirk and the Ororo. Can Lan and his family persuade the Zhuri to allow the humans to become the fourth species to live on the planet, or will the human race be gone forever? Read the fast-paced, extremely entertaining, science fiction book to find out what happens to the humans!

So I'm going to be completely honest here... I am not a big fan of science fiction. I began listening to this book in my car on my way home from work. Within the first five minutes I was thinking, "ok this is the weirdest book ever!" but I was driving in busy traffic on the interstate so I couldn't just change books or even turn on music so I didn't have a choice but to listen to it. Thirty minutes later I was hooked and I could not wait to get into the car again to listen to it! Actually, I was so addicted to it that I was listening to it in the shower, getting ready for work, and even cooking dinner. This book was fast-paced, entertaining, funny, and even had some nail-biting suspense. This book is the one that may get me to say that I like science fiction! Don't miss it!

I recently received Rodkey’s new book, We’re Not From Here (released March 5, 2019) through my ARC sharing group, the Lit Review Crew.

I have not read many science fiction books for my middle schoolers that involved aliens. Most science-fiction is more dystopian, so I was excited to dive into this story.

I gave the book 4 stars.

Here is what I loved:

Cover Art: The colors were pleasing to the eye and the aliens! I loved that they were giant mosquito-looking creatures. I was instantly intrigued. Also, the character holding the sign. Perfect.
Lan: the main character was hilarious and the author leaving the gender of the main character unknown was really interesting and new.
Serious topic mixed with ridiculous and hilarious comedy.
The power of music.
The different aliens.
Quotes

“No. The question is, why does it matter what a couple of people are whispering to us when hundreds of them scream ‘Humans go home!’ Every time we leave the house?”

“It matters because we have to start somewhere.”

I loved this quote because it showed the power that can be found in the smallest of voices. Also, it showed that just because a group is the loudest, doesn’t mean they are the strongest.
“But do you remember what I said to you when we got on the shuttle to come here?”

“Buckle your seatbelt?”

“Probably that too…But I told you it’s okay to be scared. And we can be scared and brave at the same time…If we weren’t afraid, we’d be doing it wrong…And courage doesn’t mean we ignore our fear. It just means we move through it.”

This quote showed the mix of seriousness and silliness perfectly.

If you haven’t read this book and love a good science fiction adventure or appreciate humor in your reading, go to your local bookstore and purchase it!

Happy reading.

WE’RE NOT FROM HERE calls out and leverages the imagination co-creation between author and reader in a sci-fi / political satire manages to be both profound and hilarious.

I’m going to put one of the most brilliant parts of this book up front: We can guess at Lan’s race, but we don’t know his/her gender. Going back to the whole “this book is brilliant” thing, Rodkey states in the intro: “I gave the readers a bit more space to imagine whatever version of Lan works best for them.”

In other words, a book about a planet full of giant flies, is a work of literary brilliance that is probably going to be dissected in college discussion groups for centuries to come, and this is a good thing.

Picture it: Space. Maybe the 2030s. Earth has been destroyed in an unspecified radiation accident or possibly nuclear war, and a small group of humans (first names suggest ethnic diversity and all are fluent in English) live on a space-station-turned-refugee-camp somewhere outside Mars. Perceptive preteen aspiring comedy vlogger Lan Mifune walks us through the weird world, with just enough personality to be engaging and just enough flexibility that anyone can step into Lan’s brain.

Fortunately, distant planet Choom, home to four different alien species and a history of welcoming immigrants, welcomes the humans as long as they promise not to become violent (again). Giant housefly Zhuri, werewolf Krik, marshmallow monster Ororo, and weird worm Nugs were mostly refugees themselves at one point.

Except, something changes during the 20-year biosuspension journey. Now Choom has three species (nobody’s talking about the Nugs), and the refugees are greeted by an Immigration Division official from Choom’s new government: The humans are no longer welcome.

The refugees negotiate one human reproductive unit to come stay as a trial. Lan’s family is chosen due to Mom’s position on the Governing Counsel and sister Ila Mifune’s Earth status as a former American Idol-esque star, and the Mifunes touch down in a high-stakes exchange student arrangement that could make or break the survival of the human race.

In a school of mostly Zhuri and Krik, Lan builds a tentative alliance with the semi-criminal Ororor Marf and her Krik sidekick Ezger. While emotion (produces smells and led to the Nuk’s extermination) is forbidden on Choom, the uneasy trio distributes contraband funny videos of Lan being clumsy and Simpsons-esque cartoons of (allegedly) excessive bodily functions in order to win over the others on Choom.

Their efforts result in a riveting climax of kids dressed in plastic garbage bags and singing American folk songs, triggering a governmental overthrow.

Climax of kids Overthrowing the government dressed in 3-D printed plastic garbage bags

While Rodkey’s second-degree burn against the American immigration system might escape a child reader, it won’t escape an adult:  The Krik, once the sole species on Choom, are now a minority population with more humble jobs. The majority Zhuri, second-newest arrivals and most stringent gatekeepers, sneer at their manners and food as disgusting.

Thanks Random House and Geoff Rodkey for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The author drags the problem a bit too much and that's where it gets boring. Otherwise it's a very interesting plot where humans are trying to seek shelter in an alien land.

This is an interesting sci-fi book aimed at middle schoolers, but deal with some pretty adult concepts. Planet ending, people dying kinda stuff. It's got an interesting mix of humor that is aimed at middle school aged minds but isn't overly juvenile. I like the science fiction side of the plot and the humor was ok as an adult. My middle schooler isn't a sci-fi fan so he didn't get too far into it and my wife had real issues with the main protagonist noting being identified by the author as male or female early in the book. I'd give it a solid 4 stars, I had one failure to rate and my wife was a solid 3 stars.

I started my love affair with science fiction as a teenager. I even took Science Fiction class as my sophomore literature class in high school and again in college! Big fan to this day!

I really appreciate science fiction stories geared towards a younger age. This book doesn’t disappoint. It’s futuristic, sort of the human side of Wall-E. Yep, the story starts with Earth being destroyed and humans need to find another planet to live on.

That’s where Choom comes in, it’s very hospitable for humans, except its current inhabitants don’t want the violent humans to live with them.

That’s where LAN’s family comes in to play. They are sent to Choom to convince the inhabitants that humans are good. Wow! Tough sell!

Pretty spot on with today’s immigration crises. Very interesting to see current day politics woven within a science fiction genre. Hreat read for the tween ages.