Help me find this book!
November 3, 2013 7:03 PM Subscribe
I’m trying to find a book I loved in elementary school, but I remember very little about it and I’m hoping Metafilter can help.
Other than knowing that I loved it, my memories of it are vague, so I know this is going to be a tough one. My son is now at the age where I’m starting to think back to books I remember fondly from childhood so we can read them together. Here’s what I remember:
- This was a book from a Scholastic Book Club flyer from sometime between 1989 – 1992. I would have been in 3rd through 5th grade during this time, and it was age appropriate, not something meant for younger or older kids.
- It was a chapter book, although I think it was a fairly slim volume.
- The main character was a girl. If I remember correctly, and I could be a little fuzzy on this, on the cover she was in her bedroom sitting on her bed. The cover drawing was not realistic – it was more on the cartoony-side. I think the walls were blue, and her hair was blonde and curly.
- The story had something to do with space, although I don’t think she actually went into space. I am really not sure about this part, but she may have been friends with an alien.
And that’s all I can remember. Metafilter, if you can help me track down this book you will win a lot of fake internet points. Plus my gratitude, as I’ve been trying to track this book down for awhile now with no luck. And since I have a feeling someone will suggest it, yes I have looked though all the book club flyers at the School Book Club Flickr page, as well as what is available at Branded in the 80s.
Other than knowing that I loved it, my memories of it are vague, so I know this is going to be a tough one. My son is now at the age where I’m starting to think back to books I remember fondly from childhood so we can read them together. Here’s what I remember:
- This was a book from a Scholastic Book Club flyer from sometime between 1989 – 1992. I would have been in 3rd through 5th grade during this time, and it was age appropriate, not something meant for younger or older kids.
- It was a chapter book, although I think it was a fairly slim volume.
- The main character was a girl. If I remember correctly, and I could be a little fuzzy on this, on the cover she was in her bedroom sitting on her bed. The cover drawing was not realistic – it was more on the cartoony-side. I think the walls were blue, and her hair was blonde and curly.
- The story had something to do with space, although I don’t think she actually went into space. I am really not sure about this part, but she may have been friends with an alien.
And that’s all I can remember. Metafilter, if you can help me track down this book you will win a lot of fake internet points. Plus my gratitude, as I’ve been trying to track this book down for awhile now with no luck. And since I have a feeling someone will suggest it, yes I have looked though all the book club flyers at the School Book Club Flickr page, as well as what is available at Branded in the 80s.
Response by poster: Nope. They story was more humorous, and I don't think a boyfriend was ever mentioned. Thanks though!
posted by helloknitty at 7:17 PM on November 3, 2013
posted by helloknitty at 7:17 PM on November 3, 2013
You might find a lead by looking at William Sleator book covers or reading synopses of his YA sci-fi.
posted by juniperesque at 7:20 PM on November 3, 2013
posted by juniperesque at 7:20 PM on November 3, 2013
Was it softcover?
posted by Jacob Knitig at 7:35 PM on November 3, 2013
posted by Jacob Knitig at 7:35 PM on November 3, 2013
Response by poster: Nope, not The Computer Nut or My Teacher is an alien. And yes, the book was a softcover.
posted by helloknitty at 8:07 PM on November 3, 2013
posted by helloknitty at 8:07 PM on November 3, 2013
Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left by Robin Klein? Blue cover, blonde curly hair, and the book is about a family of aliens who come to earth.
posted by Georgina at 9:05 PM on November 3, 2013
posted by Georgina at 9:05 PM on November 3, 2013
The Neighbor from Outer Space? The cover isn't exactly right but since you said you might be fuzzy...
posted by paperback version at 9:28 PM on November 3, 2013
posted by paperback version at 9:28 PM on November 3, 2013
Aliens Ate My Homework is from around the time, right grade level, and has a curly-haired blonde girl in it - she's not the main character, though.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 4:22 AM on November 4, 2013
posted by goodbyewaffles at 4:22 AM on November 4, 2013
Stinker from Space by Pamela Service?
This meets almost none of your criteria, I know, but having just been informed that a scene I remembered from Labyrinth is actually from the Dark Crystal, I thought I'd throw it out there. Though I am positive if you'd read it you'd remember the skunk. One does not forget a skunk from space.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 7:43 AM on November 4, 2013
This meets almost none of your criteria, I know, but having just been informed that a scene I remembered from Labyrinth is actually from the Dark Crystal, I thought I'd throw it out there. Though I am positive if you'd read it you'd remember the skunk. One does not forget a skunk from space.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 7:43 AM on November 4, 2013
Another long shot for you: Creeps: An Alien In Our School, by Tim Schoch. In this one, there's a weird new girl at school who's thought to be an alien. It's a little early for your timeframe though (1985 or so), I can't find a cover that matches your description beyond "blonde girl" and "blue", and it seems to have been published by Avon not Scholastic.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 1:42 PM on November 4, 2013
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 1:42 PM on November 4, 2013
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posted by jaguar at 7:11 PM on November 3, 2013 [1 favorite]