Diamonds of Doom cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Book Level 3.1
Points 0.5
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 1097
Points per Word 0.000456
Page Count 37
Points per Page 0.013514

Description

Zak Nine and his alien friend Erro are trapped on the notorious prison planet Alcatraz, but they manage to commandeer a tiny spacecraft in a desperate bid for freedom. After the launch, they follow a mysterious figure into an abandoned diamond mine where a group of other escapees are hiding, only to discover that one of them has betrayed the group to the guards. With the mine pitch-black and guards closing in, Erro's keen sense of smell becomes their only guide to safety.

Quick Summary

Zak Nine and his alien pal Erro find themselves stuck on a grim prison planet, and they hatch a daring plan to steal a tiny spacecraft and blast off before the guards catch on. The story moves at a breakneck speed, packing a lot of excitement into just over a thousand words, and the humor from Erro's goofy antics keeps the tension from getting too scary. It's a perfect pick for kids who love quick sci-fi adventures, reluctant readers who want a story they can finish in one sitting, or anyone who enjoys a good escape-mission plot. Parents will appreciate that the danger is mild, the language is clean, and the book subtly encourages teamwork and quick thinking. If you liked the fast-paced, humor-filled space escapes in "The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian," you'll feel right at home with Diamonds of Doom.