Each day as we count down to the April 18 announcement of the Minnesota Book Awards, we highlight one of the thirty-two finalists. Today we feature 2015 Young People’s Literature finalist William Alexander.
An Out-of-This-World Tale
Ambassador by William Alexander
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster
Category Sponsor: The Creative Writing Programs at Hamline University
Eleven-year old Gabe Fuentes is reading one night before bed when a shape-shifting purple creature slides into his room through the heating grate in the floor. This strange creature tells Gabe that his name is Envoy and that he has important news: Envoy has selected Gabe to be an ambassador for Earth and take part in acts of diplomacy with aliens through Gabe’s dreams. After deconstructing the washer and dryer in the basement, Envoy transforms it into a black hole that Gabe can enter through his dreams. As he explores the new worlds that the black hole takes him to, Gabe meets ambassadors from other planets. Along the way, he learns about the communication habits of aliens, struggles with the potential deportation of his parents, and discovers that evil aliens are on their way to Earth. With guidance from Envoy, Gabe learns how to be a good ambassador and how to survive alien attacks. Ambassador is truly an out-of-this-world tale.
From the book:
We’re not alone, he thought. He had always figured that aliens must exist somewhere. Space was entirely too big, filled with too many other stars and way too many other planets for the rest of it to stand empty. And he had known about the living reality of intelligent-yet-nonhuman life since his first chat with the Envoy. But the Envoy was just one purple oddity that fit in an aquarium. Now aliens surrounded Gabe. He squinted to glimpse the wide variety of shapes and movement. He was one of many. His own world was just one place among infinite many.
About the author:
William Alexander has written three novels for young readers and is a previous Book Award finalist. He is also the author of Goblin Secrets, winner of the National Book Award, and its companion novel, Goulish Song. Alexander teaches Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
The reviews are in:
“An interstellar embassy, alien assassins, galactic mass extinctions: These are Gabe’s small problems…Physics lovers will enjoy this clever series opener – but so will those who enjoy comedy, politics, diplomacy or strange-looking aliens.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“An imaginative, tightly written tale with the perfect blend of science fiction and reality.”—MN Book Awards judge
Join us at the Awards Gala!
Award winners will be announced at the 27th Annual Minnesota Book Awards Gala on Saturday, April 18 at the historic St. Paul Union Depot. The opening reception begins at 7 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 and are available by visiting www.thefriends.org/gala.
Have you read Ambassador? What are your thoughts? We welcome your