Astronaut Academy: Splashdown (Astronaut Academy #3)

Gr 3-5--Hakata Soy and his classmates at Astronaut Academy are officially on summer break and ready for adventure. Maribelle Mellonbelly decides to host an exclusive party on Beach Planet and invite everyone she knows--a bad decision, as arguments break out between friends and nemeses. Meanwhile, increasingly serious environmental issues threaten the inhabitants of Beach Planet, and soon it is up to the partygoers to band together and restore balance. Control and conflict resolution are important themes in this third series installment. For those who prefer steady linear narratives, the sometimes circuitous path and uneven pacing may be off-putting. However, those who stick with the narrative will find the book to be a fun, colorful read full of action. Hakata has tan skin and brown hair, Maribelle is white, and their class is a racially diverse group. VERDICT Recommended where the series is popular.