Next up on the bookshelf is a very fun read, the next book in James Patterson’s Daniel X series!

In Daniel X: Watch the Skies , Patterson and co-author Ned Rust, once again perfectly capture their early teen boy audience with a super stellar kid and loads of greasy, grimy aliens that need defeating. This book was very creatively written, with many plot twists and uniquely designed outer-space villains that merged the best of boyhood slime with the technology of tomorrow. You’ll get a kick out of the monstrous catfish like uber-badguy, and Daniel’s ability to conjure people from his memory- especially when he gets in fights with people who are, in actuality, himself.

My very favorite part was when Daniel conjured up his mother who had to try to understand why Daniel needed an excuse to miss school. As the school secretary harassed her, she finally told her to “stick these in your fascist helmet” as she came up with 10 perfect reasons to be absent from school, all of which hinged on the common gripe of so many good parents today: Because he’s MY kid and I’M the parent! (Yes, this topic hits a nerve with me. I think the government has no business at all telling me how to raise my children, and I get very cranky when asked to prove that I’m being a “good parent” via issues like this).

Anyway, my own issues aside, if you have a teen or preteen boy you need to get reading, definitely pick up this series. And if you just want a goofy, enjoyable escape, put it on your own nightstand!