• Age: 6 to 9
• Grade: 1 to 4
• Reading age: 6 to 9

The fun is out of this world in this laugh-out-loud graphic novel about an alien, government agents and the unexpected power of pizza.

Nate's on a mission to Earth from the planet Vega. His goal: eat pizza! Luckily, soon after he crash-lands on Earth he meets Fazel, who helps him create a disguise, learn the ways of Earthlings and, most importantly, stuff himself with pizza! Nate quickly discovers there are lots of things to love about Earth and Earthlings besides pizza. He's having a blast! There's only one problem. Two Men in Beige (government agents) are desperate to capture him and bring him to their lab --- and they're starting to close in. Will Fazel and Nate manage to elude the Men in Beige while they find fuel for Nate's spacecraft so he can head home? And will Nate have had his fill of pizza by then?

Here's a sidesplittingly funny graphic novel from multiple-award-winning writer, illustrator and cartoonist Dave Whamond. With its irreverent humor and high energy, it's a perfect pick for emerging readers. Along with the fun, the lovable main character models an eagerness to learn new things and broaden his horizons and, together with Fazel, is able to look past surface differences to find friendship and a shared sense of adventure. There are terrific character education lessons here on adaptability, inclusiveness (even of “aliens”) and teamwork.

DAVE WHAMOND a illustré la série Margot et My Think-a-ma-Jink, tous deux gagnants du prix Blue Spruce. Il a également signé les illustrations des livres de Robert Munsch Quelle tête!, C’est petit ici! et Je raffole de l’école!, et est l'auteur d'une bande dessinée intitulée Reality Check, qui paraît quotidiennement dans un certain nombre de journaux nord-américains. Dave habite à Calgary, en Alberta.

DAVE WHAMOND is the creator of Oddrey and My Think-a-ma-Jink, both winners of the Blue Spruce Award. He illustrated the Robert Munsch books Braids!, Think Big! and School Rules! He also has a syndicated cartoon strip called Reality Check, which appears daily in a number of North American newspapers. Dave lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Dave Whamond's profile page

• Winner, The Eleanor Cameron Notable Middle Grade Books List, The Core Excellence in Children's and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Lists

A cute ode to pizza and human ingenuity.

Kirkus Reviews

... this lighthearted story successfully touches on themes of inclusivity, friendship, and the importance of imagination.

Publishers Weekly

Nate's obsession with food and books (and his new friendships) becomes the unifying force to explain how we incorporate diversity and embrace one another---a great lesson for Canadian kids of all backgrounds.

CM Magazine