Alien on a Rampage

From Barnes & Noble

Young David is headed for his favorite summer destination: His grandmother's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast, a well-known vacation hotspot for aliens with leisure time to burn. The visit starts well, but hits a snag when he encounters Scratchull, an alien repairman who seems suspiciously devious. Nobody else seems to be worried, but it doesn't take long for David's amateur skullduggery to discover that this furtive handyman has big plans for the entire planet—and they aren't good.

Children's Literature - Peg Glisson

David is excited about spending a second summer at Grandma's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast, where aliens looking to spend time on Earth come to vacation. He takes an immediate dislike to Scratchull, Grandma's creepy new alien handyman and fears a shift in the budding romance between Amy and himself. It takes only a few days for David to conclude that the condescending, slug-eating Scratchull is plotting to harm Earth; but every time he tries to convince Grandma, Amy or her father, Tate—the head of security at the B&B—David is made to look the fool by Scratchull. David takes some solace in his new alien pet, Snarffle, an energetic, roly-poly doglike creature with an incredible long tongue. The two of them try to reveal Scratchull for who he is, but their bumbling attempts backfire again and again. Everyone else is thoroughly enjoying themselves at the B&B. Grandma has little time for David as she is working toward winning the pie contest at the annual festival, with Scratchull's assistance. David's apprehension grows as the festival approaches and an exciting climax indeed happens there. Smith has included some fun and some scary sci-fi elements, including transporters, translator chips, Kerntaberries and Mooglah fruit, warrior aliens and a powerful device that changes the environment. This is a sequel to Aliens on Vacation, but does stand on its own. Tate's efforts to safeguard the identity of the guests at the B&B and Snarffle's incredible liveliness and appetite add humor and lighten the story, as do Smith's pen and ink sketches at the beginning of each chapter. Reviewer: Peg Glisson

School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—In this sequel to Aliens on Vacation (Hyperion, 2011), David returns for a second summer with his grandmother at her Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast, a popular vacation spot for extraterrestrial visitors. His plans for helping out around the resort and spending some quality time with Amy are dashed by two unearthly additions-supercilious repairman Scratchull and Snarffle, a purple ball of fluff with an insatiable appetite. David ends up taking on Snarffle, who tumbles in through the transporter unannounced, as a pet, while watching Scratchull for suspicious behavior. When he finds out the repairman's true plan, it's up to him to convince everyone else what's going on, before the whole planet is at risk. David is a great protagonist, believable in his motivations and decisions, with just the right mix of self-possession and concern for others to drive the plot forward, and Scratchull, with his haughty attitude and slimy charm, is the perfect foil. Throughout the book, the two attempt to undermine and defeat each other, with often hilarious results. Kids will readily identify with David and enjoy reading along as he works to bring Scratchull to justice and have a great summer. A fun, action-packed read.—Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City

Kirkus Reviews

In this warm-hearted sequel to Aliens on Vacation (2011), David resumes his summer job at Grandma's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast and finds himself on the wrong footing with a creepy alien. David is thrilled to be back at Grandma's, where he helps with the vacationing outer-space guests. However, he quickly discovers a sinister element in the new employee, Scratchull. Scratchull is a skull-headed, slug-eating alien whose voice drips with condescension. He gives David the creeps but has everyone else fooled. Snarffle, a purple, bouncy alien with six legs, a spinning tail and a boundless appetite, becomes David's charge and supplies much of the story's chuckles. Meanwhile, David stumbles upon Scratchull's diabolical plan to get home and destroy Earth in the process. Replete with good intentions but lacking in finesse, David is unable to convince the others of their danger. Grandma has entered the baking contest at the Pioneer Day Festival in an effort to improve her relations with the human community, but with Scratchull helping out in the kitchen, David cannot shake this feeling of unease. Over the course of this funny sequel, David proves you don't have to be a rocket scientist to overcome villainy, and Snarffles can be man's as well as alien's best friend. With a festival grand finale that's like a picnic of the living dead, this outing is spot-on for middle graders who like a dash of humor in their science fiction. (Science fiction. 8-12)