Epic Ellisons

October 6, 2023

Gr 3-6-This action-packed book combines elements of science fiction, mystery, and social commentary into an exciting, quickly read narrative. The story revolves around African American twin prodigies, 12-year-olds Wiki and Leen, who win scholarships to the prestigious STEM-focused Camp Cosmos located in Virginia Beach. There, they quickly become involved in a stimulating competition where child wunderkinds are challenged to create the best prototype for a futuristic space shuttle. As they embark on this exciting enterprise, they discover the camp's sponsor and amazing entrepreneur Petey Thunkle, whose inventions have shaped the modern world, has disappeared. The twins, armed with their incredible memories, amazing problem-solving skills, and scientific knowledge, join forces with new friends to rescue their generous, but not necessarily ethical, funder. Rich social commentary is woven throughout, addressing issues such as sibling rivalry, bullying, gender disparity, and the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities in society. References to science concepts like time travel, artificial intelligence, the butterfly effect, and space travel encourage future research topics for the curious reader. The book is illustrated throughout with pencil drawings that add details to the narrative. While working well as a standalone, this story could be considered a companion book to the "Legendary Alston Boys Adventures" series and foreshadows a promise of more adventures to come. VERDICT Highlighting the strength of female characters and the possibilities of young minds, this book will find an audience in fans of young science fiction adventure tales.-Lynne Stover

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2023
Grades 5-7 Stepping out of supporting roles in Giles' Legendary Alston Boys novels, the 12-year-old Ellison twins find themselves at odds and in danger after Wiki, the one with perfect recall and good social skills, is suddenly invited to join her awesomely brilliant but insecure gadgeteer sister, Leen, at a STEM summer camp sponsored by Petey Thunkle, the world's richest technocrat. Even fans accustomed to the author's distinctively screwy premises are in for a wild ride as not only has Thunkle disappeared just weeks before the scheduled launch of his mighty Interstellar-Z rocket but also Wiki is suddenly beset with weirdly conflicting sets of memories. Both situations turn out to be related, and their last-tick resolution is complicated by corporate spies and guilty techno secrets. Despite some friction (they had both been looking forward to a bit of separation), Leen and Wiki make a great team, and watching them in action as they work on their own relationship while simultaneously averting cosmic catastrophe juices up the emotional resonance as well as the action in this epic exploit.

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April 1, 2023
Twelve-year-old African American girls attempt to solve a complicated mystery that also threatens their tight familial bond in this stand-alone novel that reunites readers with characters from Giles' Legendary Alston Boys series. Twins Evangeleen and Victoria Ellison, who go by Leen and Wiki, respectively, have always done everything together. But now, Leen is excited to attend the STEM-focused summer Cosmos Camp on her own, while Wiki is looking forward to doing her own thing and helping with the family farm. Anna Thunkle, wife of the wealthy tech entrepreneur whose company is behind the camp, causes tension between the sisters by offering Wiki a camp scholarship--even though she didn't even apply. Neither girl is happy about this, but their parents are enthusiastic about the opportunity. Shortly after their arrival, Anna asks the sisters to help find her missing husband, Petey. The mission is made more complicated when Wiki's eidetic memory starts glitching and Leen struggles with imposter syndrome after being placed on a team with bullies. The sisters must work collaboratively to try to figure out what is really going on at Camp Cosmos and in Petey's company. This story highlights the valuable impact African American women and girls can have in science and technology. The relationship dynamics between the engaging, likable sisters will resonate with many readers, who will enjoy accompanying them on this adventurous journey. An imaginative, thrilling story exploring family and team dynamics through the lens of invention. (Science fiction. 8-12)

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