Singing the Dogstar Blues by Alison Goodman

• ISBN: 978-1417727308
• Plot summary: Joss is at school for time jumping, though she is one false move from getting kicked out. That's why everyone is surprised when the Chorian, Mavkel, picks Joss to be his partner at school. As perplexed at the Chorian, Joss must learn how to live with an extraterrestrial being. For the most part, Mavkel is an agreeable suite mate, but sometimes he just comes too close for comfort. Mavkel urges Joss to become his mind partner as well, and when it seems they might never be joined by thought, Mavkel loses hope. In order to save his life, Joss goes in search of her biological father and finds out way more than she bargained for.
• Critical evaluation: I have never really read science fiction before this novel, but I found this one to be very enjoyable. Watching Joss get accustomed to Mavkel's habits and ideals is heartwarming, and even though she is someone who prefers solitude to partnership, she wants to help Mavkel in becoming his mind partner. People from his planet are able to communicate telepathically, and Mavkel saw something of this ability when he scanned her brain. The journey they must go through to join telepathically is thrilling to watch and one hopes that Mavkel can be saved by this ability Joss has, if only she knew how to access it.
• Reader's annotation: Joss never thought she'd be picked for anything at this school, much less time jumping with the new alien student!
• About the author: Alison Goodman writes for adults and teens alike. She hails from Melbourne, Australia.
• Genre: Fantasy/science fiction
• Curriculum ties, if any: None
• Booktalking ideas:
• If you could time travel, where would you go?
• Do you think the interest by the Chorians in time jumping is as innocent as it seems?
• Reading level/interest age: 14+
• Challenge issues: Substance use, profanity
• Why was this item included? I picked this item up when looking for fantasy novels for teens.