Target Practice (Cleopatra in Space #1)

Even time-displaced Egyptian queens-to-be have to finish their homework before they can save the galaxy. After inadvertently being transported to an alien world in the distant future, 15-year-old Cleopatra must balance algebra, boys, and birthdays with her prophesied destiny as the savior of all civilization. The collective knowledge and history of thousands of planets is in danger of falling to the Xerx, an interstellar conquering horde led by the malevolent Xaius Octavian, and the residents of the Ailuros System have pinned their hopes on Cleo. Maihack's debut graphic novel sets the stage for what looks to be a series of Star Trek-style space adventures punctuated with far-future high school drama. Cleopatra smoothly slips into the role of confident, wisecracking, baddie-dispatching hero, and the supporting cast falls neatly into place as well. A good two-thirds of the book is spent getting Cleo (and readers) up to speed, with the sci-fi swashbuckling mostly limited to the last of three chapters. Maihack's conservative designs are also something of a missed opportunity, considering the visual potential of the "Egypt in space" concept. Ages 8-12. Agent: Judith Hansen, Hansen Literary. (May)■

Gr 3-5—The spunky Egyptian princess escapes her tutor and is transported to Mayet, a planet in the future. There, the 15-year-old learns that evil dictator Xaius Octavian is conquering neighboring civilizations. She discovers a Mayet prophesy about a hero who will defeat this evil and is astonished to learn the she is the foretold liberator. "Lightyears from home, millennia in the future, and... savior of the planet," she bemoans as she is sent to Mayet school for further education and training. Cleo is a troublemaker who skips school and performs poorly in academic subjects. However, the royal immediately takes to ray gun practice with the same zeal she anciently had for a slingshot. Her sharpshooting skills astound the student body. After four months of training, planet leaders evaluate her progress and determine that she is rash, lacks discipline, and needs two more years of preparation. But time is running out. Under the guise of a school assignment, she is sent on a dangerous mission to retrieve an important key. Plenty of action ensues as this Teflon-like heroine, seemingly oblivious to peril, fearlessly attempts to complete the task. This high-adventure fantasy, complete with a talking cat in the sidecar of a flying sphinx, is chock-full of action and attitude. Charming characters with expressive faces and disproportionately large heads seem younger than their 15 years. Although the opening time shifts are confusing, young readers will soon be caught up in the escapist fun.—Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY