This new science fiction story features three 12-year-olds who are the highlight of the tale. The author nailed it perfectly in capturing each of their personalities.

Front and center is Marv (code name: Gold Leader) who narrates. He is obsessed (and I mean OBSESSED) with being ready before aliens take over our world, or at least his hometown in suburban Delaware. What drives Marv to this belief is a favorite book he always has close by, How to Survive an Alien Invasion: Your Guidebook to an Inevitable Future.

Best friend Jace (code name: Baller One) tags along with helping Marv. He’s not really into aliens existing, being more interested in playing one-on-one basketball and talking about his devotion to the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.

Finally we have Nora (code name: Space Cadet) who Marv thinks is an alien. She calls his way of thinking “weird” and makes a great nemesis and partner for Marv and Jace in their adventure.

The journey for this trio begins when Nora and her Dad move next door. Seeing them unload boxes of electronic equipment from their moving truck follows what Marv’s book says is sign number four that aliens have An unusually high quantity of electronic equipment. Seems far-fetched to Jace until an overnight sleep-over in their nearby hideout. A flash of light leads them to an alien spacecraft that has landed nearby.

Turns out the craft might be something other than an alien ship. No more spoilers here so you can enjoy the surprises unleashed in the 30 chapters. The 210 pages are a welcome amount in the world of 300+ page MG novels. There are some adult deaths in story but are depicted in the best way for the intended 10-12 year-old reader. The three main characters avoid seeing any of these unfortunate results.

I KNOW WHAT UFO DID LAST SUMMER is a fun tale that will have you laughing at many of the kid-like interactions with each other and the adults. Saving the world is a tough business, but doable in the hands of Marv, Jace, and Nora.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: March 11, 2025

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: I KNOW WHAT UFO DID LAST SUMMER by Kevin Garone

1. The plot stays with the kid trio, leaving adult intrusions to a minimum. Just what young readers like in a story.
2. Friendship takes time and it’s no different when Nora arrives. It’s handled in a great kid-like fashion here.
3. The adult reactions to Marv’s obsession are often hilarious with lines like “What’s wrong with this kid? when he asks one of his questions about an adult being an alien. Marv is just carrying out what he believes to be true.
4. Even adults who are tired of the world news would find this to be a nice escape.
5. A final scene hints at a continuation to maybe a series. Something the intended readers will be cheering to happen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

From the time he was in elementary school writing Pokemon fan fiction and stories about dinosaurs, Kevin Garone wanted to be an author. But of course, it takes time before the dream of writing and publishing one’s own books becomes a reality.

Some of Kevin’s past adventures include youth soccer referee, serving a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, doing deliveries and cleanup for a port-a-potty company, and playing and singing in an alternative/folk band and a satirical hip hop group.

After graduating college and trying (and failing) to write fantasy, Kevin finally discovered his passion for writing middle grade horror. Drawing inspiration from his favorites like the Universal Classic Monster movies, B-movies from the 1950s and 60s, Stranger Things, and more, Kevin writes stories that combine horror and adventure as kids face their fears and overcome the odds to save the day. (Kevin’s Author Website)

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