Fantasy

Not so long ago, in a galaxy pretty close by, there lived a cool 4th grader named Devin, who signed up for his school’s student exchange program. But his exchange buddy, Stan Mflxnys, is much more than a nerdy weirdo who can’t keep his finger out of his nose; Stan is an alien. And his unhygienic habit just might be the key to saving the planet.

Devin's worst nightmares have come true in the hyperbole humor styled book about keeping your cool and saving the earth from the alien living in your house.
Classroom Use: Write an outrage scene to add to the end of this story. ( )

When you're in the fourth grade, nothing is more important than being "cool". When Devin first meets his new classmate, an exchange student who will be living with his family and sharing his bedroom, he fears the worst. Stan from Pan is a dweeb who likes homework and picks his nose - in front of the whole class! Devin knows that if you hang out with a dweeb, people might think you're a dweeb too. To make the situation worse, he soon makes a shocking discovery about Stan that could change the fate of planet Earth forever!
This is a fun science fiction story that doesn't take itself too seriously (for example, citizens of the planet of Pan are called "Pants"), and could appeal both to those who enjoy stories about aliens and those who don't. The protagonist, a fourth grade boy, is easy to identify with - who hasn't felt pressured to be "cool", or been jealous when the new kid one ups you in front of your parents? And although the ending is a little bit corny, with Devin eventually making friends with Stan and accepting his quirks, it's hard not to smile at the silly finish. ( )

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