Friendship, Adventures, and Martians, Oh My, in New Book for Fans of Melissa Savage

Melissa Savage's fun new read The Truth About Martians is a page-turner for ages 8-12 with adventures galore. Melissa tells a story of friendship along with the adventures that Mylo and his best friend Dibs encounter when they set out to explore the crash landing of a spaceship.

Mylo moved to New Mexico with his parents when he was six years old. He never could have imagined what the future would hold. The area of Roswell, New Mexico has always been a favored area for people who like to watch for spacecraft from outer space. Mylo has always been a fan of comic book adventures with space creatures, and one night his fantasy comes true when he and Dibs see fiery light streaks from the sky and one giant green object that looks like a giant green eyeball. Can it be Martians? Mylo has a list of things to take on his hunt for the Martians. The list includes a slingshot and a small American flag. Dibs and Mylo come across some pieces of metal and their excitement and curiosity are at a peak. All sort of clues are surrounding the metal. The ground is burned. And suddenly there it is-a real live flying saucer that could possibly contain dead Martians. A long thin hand appears and Mylo and Dibs see large black eyes watching them. They have to pull the Martian to safety! Mylo has a set of questions to ask the Martians, and he really wants to know if they know his hero Superman from his favorite comics. He also decides to ask if the Martians know God. The discovery has a twist and young readers will want to keep reading when Mylo gets a huge surprise. Mylo must help his new friend return home. He hates to see his new friends leave and when the last green light disappears, he is left with fond memories and a feeling of friendship for these space creatures. He is left with a special gift from his space friends and he knows that this gift will help with the sadness of losing them when they return to their home.

Savage includes an account of the actual story of Roswell and the spacecraft that is supposed to have landed there. Her Author's Note at the end of The Truth About Martians is an interesting read. The Truth About Martians was published by Crown Books for Young Readers, a division of Random House Children's Books. It is recommended for ages 8-12 and has an ISBN of 978-1-5247-0016-4.

Teachers who teach reading and history for students in the 3rd grade-middle school will want to add Savage's new book The Truth About Martians to a class reading list. Young readers will find this book to be a page-turner about the idea of aliens visiting the earth and the real-life story of an actual landing in New Mexico.

*Read The Truth About Martians in a group reading session with a few chapters read aloud each day. Students enjoy hearing a story read aloud and teachers might want to offer the chance for children to participate in reading this chapter aloud with their classmates. The book can also be assigned as an individual reading assignment for students to discuss after reading.

*Take a class poll of the number of students who may believe in the reality of space aliens. Brainstorm to get their thoughts about why they believe in space creatures who can actually visit us here on earth.

*Assign a creative writing assignment for students to explore their thoughts about space aliens. The Truth About Martians offers a fun writing opportunity in creativity.

*Provide extra reading material for students to read about the real-life story of the possibility that aliens visited the area of Roswell, New Mexico. Savage provides links that students can use to explore this story.

*Provide hands-on materials for students to construct their own spacecraft. Students might like to create their own space alien to go with their spacecraft. Have students create drawings of what they think a space alien might look like.