Rated "Indifferent" in our old book database. ( )

Brent Hagen
Children’s Lit
March 15, 08

Modern Fantasy
Akiko and the Alpha Centauri 500
By Mark Crilley

The book listed above is an example of modern fantasy. Akiko is a fourth grade girl that lives in the city. When she parts company with her friend she is reluctant to go home. All of a sudden Akiko gets a warm fuzzy feeling and she is then riveted into outer space. She goes from the adventure of being in a spaceship with individuals that she does not know. Akiko is informed that she is in a race of a lifetime and the winner will be a grand champion. As she settles into the adventure she is entering a maze. It is no ordinary maze but one that will require special skill to maneuver the space craft. Akiko ends up driving the craft without the slightest knowledge of how to do so. She meets a cast of different characters that lend to the story. As the story progresses little is left to the imagination. The reader knows in the back of their mind that Akiko will win and save the day. In fact Akiko does not win, however a prize is given for coming in last place. When this happens Akiko makes it home in time for dinner.
I was not impressed with the book. The art work was adequate with little detail. The language in the book did not and would not teach the use of proper English. It was difficult to get past the improper language. Another point that was difficult to get through was the language of the other space aliens. The book was simply written however I was not a fan of this particular author’s style.