View source for Hero From Another Planet by Jnr Rademeyer

{{infobox
|title=Hero From Another Planet
|author=Jnr Rademeyer
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=Science fiction for the preteen as Jason discovers that he's actually the rightful king on another planet.
|rating=3
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|pages=154
|publisher=AuthorHouseUK
|date=November 2017
|isbn=978-1546284451
|website=
|video=
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1546284451</amazonuk>
}}

Jason Bronkurts is the kid the teachers like: he's always on time and puts his school work first.  He isn't a great socialiser and certainly not one of the cool kids, although he's had something of a crush on Rosie, but he's known her since kindergarten and done nothing about it.  At the other end of the scale are Jack Radogerens and his friend Ryan, who bully Jason.  It might be Wednesday, but Jason will be glad when the week's over.  His home life is a bit strange too: when we meet thirteen-year-old Jason, his dad has just phoned to say that he's going to be away for three days.  Jason's on his own. Well, apart from the UFO and its occupants, that is.

And that's the start of an adventure that's going to appeal to preteens of either sex, which takes Jason, his friends and a group of aliens on a mission to establish Jason as the rightful heir on a distant planet.  There are all the superpowers which a young reader could wish for and no shortage of action.  Battle scenes are of the no-holds-barred variety, but they're handled sensitively and no one is going to have nightmares.

You've got to admire an author who takes a group of kids and none of the leading characters - Jason, Rosie, Jack and Ryan - are particularly likeable.  I've already mentioned about Jack and Ryan, but I lost count of the number of times that Jason lies - and apparently does so without guilt.  He's easily fooled too, even if he is superficially nice.  You'll need to read the book to find out about Rosie, but even when you accept that she's not what she seems, she's got great difficulty deciding what she really does want to be - and I'm being very careful there not to give a plot spoiler!

There's real pace to the plot and apart from some superfluous descriptions of what food is being consumed, moves on at great speed.  This is helped by the fact that Jnr Rademeyer has a real talent for delivering dialogue.  He - like Jason Bronkurts - is only thirteen years old, but I'm judging him not on the basis of doing well ''for his age'', but as I would any author of children's books.  He succeeds on two levels - knowing how people in a particular age group talk ''and'' understanding the to and fro of any conversation.  I think he has a future as a writer and I'm sure he'll be one to watch.

Maturity and practice will give him the experience to develop his characters in a more rounded way and to make every word count as he develops his plot.  He'll also come to appreciate that a professional proofreading is essential: it's a rare author who can reread his own work and not miss any of the mistakes.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy of the book to the Bookbag.

Children who enjoy this book might also enjoy [[Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World by Anthony McGowan]].

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