(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Hatem Aly. In the "United State of Earth," everyone is normal (read: exactly the same). When seventh grader Norbert thoughtlessly mocks their leader, he's sent to a sort of prison-camp on planet Zarquat 3 for creative non-conformists. Narrator Norbert's dexterity with words and the sketchlike cartoon illustrations add humor, and his (outlandish) journey toward self-discovery manages to balance pathos with heart and a positive message about being true to oneself.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum