Space Race

Written by: Sylvia Waugh

First line: The village of Belthorp lay sleeping like the little town of Bethlehem under the dark December sky.

Why you should read this book: Thomas Derwent has just learned that he and his father were not born on Earth, and in fact are aliens from the planet Ormingat, to which they will be returning soon, so soon that Thomas will miss the opportunity to play a shepherd in his Christmas pageant. Thomas is still trying to deal with the news of his transition when a horrific car accident causes his father to disappear into thin air, leaving Thomas alone in a hospital room. If he can't find his father soon, he realizes, he may never see his father again.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You don't want to go home again.