Age range 14+
This is the absolutely true story of how Lansburg, Pennsylvania, was invaded by aliens. None of this story is false. At least…not according to Gideon Hofstadt.
Last fall, Lansburg, Pennsylvania, was invaded. Weeks of chaos followed. There were sightings of UFOs, close encounters, and even abductions. There were believers, Truth Seekers, and above all, people who looked to the sky and hoped for more. Only…there were no aliens.
Gideon Hofstadt knows the truth; after one of his science experiments went wrong, Gideon and his older brother blamed the resulting explosion on extraterrestrial activity. To their surprise, their lie was not only believed by the town…it was embraced.
As the brothers go to increasingly greater lengths to keep up the ruse to avoid getting caught, the hoax flourishes. But Gideon’s obsession with their tale threatens his whole world. Can he find a way to banish the aliens before Lansburg, and his life, are changed forever?
‘Sedoti will draw readers in with the outrageous situation and the town’s amusing aspects, such as a 63-foot lava lamp, but she truly excels with Gideon - a unique character whose desire for recognition and achievement is universal.’ - Publishers Weekly
‘Quirky, intelligent…Big questions of morality, cosmic insignificance, and human connection ground this novel even as it ponders the stars.’ - Booklist
‘Well written…Believable characters facing realistic teenage issues coupled with a thematic exploration of wishes, fears, and principles of honesty and ethics will help to keep readers’ attention.‘ - School Library Connection
'A page-turner as engrossing as any classic Twilight Zone starring two spirited brothers who run circles around the Hardy Boys.’ - Ben Philippe, Morris award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
