Away Is a Strange Place to Be

by Helen Mary Hoover

Book Overview

Abby Tabor is an orphan, living and working at her Uncle Mochi's inn on Earth - which someday she may inherit and run herself. Bryan Bishop is a colonial from the Triark habitat in space and the heir... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525445056
• ISBN13: 9780525445050
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

My favorite childhood novel

This is one of the first books I remember reading as a child. I think I first came across it in 3rd grade and I loved it. You know how teachers and librarians are always trying to motivate children to read with cliches like "lose yourself in a book"? This is the first story I read that made me experience that feeling. This science fiction novel is responsible for inciting my love of books. I can't think of any better praise then that.

There's No Place Like Home . . .

And Abby is no Dorothy. But then, VitaCon is no Oz! In this futuristic adventure, H. M. Hoover delivers an action-filled plot that is perfectly in keeping with her young audience and has withstood the test of time. I've read a number of this author's works, and I've never been disappointed. Unlike some childhood favorites that I've gone back to as an adult, Away is a Strange Place To Be does not lose its sparkle. Sure, it's written for children, But H. M. Hoover is well versed in her craft and consistently delivers quality writing and compelling storytelling. Twelve-year-old Abby is our heroine, living and working with her uncle on Earth at the luxurious Inn they own-she's not sure where she fits in or if she really wants to inherit the Inn when she grows up. Bryan is spoiled rich kid who is unhappy with his life and his parents and never considers anyone other than himself. All that changes when they are both kidnapped and taken to a far away artificial world of Vita Con to work as slave labor-the two of them have to work together to escape and get back home. In the process the two of them must mature and learn from one another-but Abby is far from helpless and both of them are far from docile and helpless. The threats are real-and clearly deadly. From first line of this story readers know something has happened to Abby, and they will be eager to find out what and why as it unfolds. The pages turn fast and furiously to reach a satisfying and positive conclusion. What works so well? H. M. Hoover uses strong character relationships to carry the story-the relationship of a young boy and girl and their friendship-though no romance here, these books are strictly preteen. She chronicles how they both grow up substantially through their adventure, learning what their old lives have to offer and how to take responsibility for bringing about a better future. But there's also an exciting adventure tale of kidnap and escape that any young person can identify with and enjoy. Hoover's futuristic universe has familiar elements and dangers of our own, but the settings are imaginative and exotic-providing readers with new worlds to explore. There are too many stories I've read where the young heroes feel passive or talked down to, or the entire universe seems to be populated with well-meaning adults. Hoover does not allow this to happen. There are villains and self-interested adults. There are helpful criminals and angry bullies who have painful secrets. Nobody is all good or bad, and getting back home isn't an easy business for Abby-it takes a good deal of ingenuity and courage. It's a formula that will appeal to many young readers. At 167 pages, this book may seem a little thin for the adult reader, but its perfect for preteens. There's enough detail to flesh out the world, but the pacing keeps the plot moving at a breathless clip. Good food for thought and imagination, and perfect for the young science fiction fan looking for more out

I'm 17 and it is still one of my favorites

This is the book that got me through the horrors of middle school!This is one of my favorites right up with Shakespears "The Taming of the Shrew" and Jane Austens "Pride and Prejudice"