Jason loves growing things. He works hard in his greenhouse to produce beautiful flowers. His Dad and his brother aren't so interested in plants. They are into astronomy and spend hours trying to tune into alien signals on the airwaves. But when a new family moves in next door, Jason thinks he may be the first in the family to meet a real life alien.

Jason's suspicions start when the neighbours arrive in a strange glowing vehicle in the middle of the night. Then when he peeps through the fence and sees one of the neighbours putting a human head on over a worm body, he is convinced. The neighbours are really giant worms. But why are they are here on Earth and what do they want from Jason? Jason's biggest problem could be convincing his Dad and his brother that their neighbours are aliens. Until his Dad figures out the truth and Jason embarks on the journey of a lifetime.

This fun, action packed novel will have 8 to 12 year old readers turning the pages. There is plenty of humour and adventure as well as the fun of an alien code. At the end of the novel there is a message for readers to translate - a bonus which young sleuths will love.

Worms! is an outstanding offering from Queensland based author Lyn Uhlman. It is part of the Breakers series from Macmillan Education.

Worms!, by Lyn Uhlman, illustrated by Tom Kurema
Macmillan Education, 2004

More Alien Adventures

Tess and the Star Traveller, by Jane McKay
Scuttle and the Zipzaps, by Ged Maybury
Alan the Alien, by Penny Hall