Gabby Duran is a sixth-grade supersitter. Kids love her and parents worship her, so much so that she takes a private plane to out-of-state sitting jobs and has to recruit her extra-organized little sister Carmen to manage her bookings and travel schedule. But when Gabby's skills attract the attention of some . . . otherworldly clients, will her mixture of enthusiasm and empathy enable her to survive a session with a uniquely abled, and uniquely terrifying, eight-year-old? Gabby and her friends are all well-rounded, lively characters who are fun to get to know. Especially gratifying is Gabby's account of learning to understand Carmen, who appears to have some non-neurotypical attributes, and how that informs her babysitting philosophy. Overall, Allen and Conners' goofy inventions, wild plot, and peppy dialogue keep things light. Readers who have previously visited Dan Greenburg's Weird Planet or Ray O'Ryan's Galaxy Zack series, as well as fans of Ursula Vernon's Dragonbreath series will be delighted by the blend of real-world drama and far-out sci-fi humor in this briskly plotted crowd-pleaser.

Gr 4-7 Gabby works hard as a babysitter, earning money to help her mother support their family. She plays the French Horn and desires to attend a prestigious music college in the future. Her skill with children has led to jobs working with movie stars as well as neighbors. But none of her previous babysitting experiences have completely prepared her for what comes her way when an old woman offers Gabby a job she can't refuse. With her dream of attending the expensive music school squarely in mind, the compassionate tween accepts the assignment to babysit the "unsittable." These alien children bring more excitement and secrets into Gabby's life than she is prepared to handle. Since the work is highly secretive and can come at any time, Gabby has to decide if she is really willing to do what it takes to care for and protect these children, possibly at the cost of her own friendships and music. An entertaining look at the possibilities inherent in alien life on earth, Gabby's adventures will enthrall readers eager to explore a world of surprises and secrets. VERDICT The humorous details and quick plot make this a fun book for reluctant and avid readers alike. Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT