Having survived an initial alien attack in The Moon Platoon, Benny and his companions are stranded at the Lunar Taj with no Earth-bound communications. When a rogue scientist seizes control of the Taj to exterminate the aliens, Benny struggles to find a peaceful solution and preserve both species. Despite the familiar invasion scenario, thrilling action and a compassionate hero will please sci-fi fans.

Following series opener The Moon Platoon (2017), aliens are temporarily defeated, but Benny Love and the rest of the gang still need to rescue their kidnapped leader, expose a global conspiracy, and figure out how to keep the aliens from taking Earth for themselves.Unfortunately for Benny and his friends, not everyone is interested in finding a peaceful solution. Lunar Taj founder Elijah West's plan was to leave Earth to fend for itself, while his former research partner favored a more violent confrontation. But Benny and his friends know the aliens are not mindless warmongers but rather a civilization in need of a new home. Thankfully each of the members of the Moon Platoon has special skills and attributes. Hot Dog is an ace flyer. Jasmine has impeccable integrity. Drue is endlessly enthusiastic, and Ramona is a computer whiz. While Spanish-speaking Benny's home is the American Southwest, members of the Moon Platoon come from all over the world. Fun, fast-paced, and filled with excellent inventions like space motorcycles and sentient holographic beings, this is sure to please sci-fi buffs. But the deeper questions of war and peace and how to lead are what will stay with readers far beyond the last page.Otherworldly adventure that satisfies. (Science fiction. 9-12)

Gr 4-6 Benny Love and his friends may have just won their battle against alien invaders, but the war is far from over. The next volume in this action-packed science fiction adventure picks up where the previous book left off. The residents of the Lunar Taj may have won the day, but they've lost their charismatic leader, Elijah West, and no one agrees on what to do next or who's in charge. They need help, and the best help Benny can think of may come from outside of the moon base; on the dark side of the moon. But their potential ally has his own agenda, one that Benny can't trustespecially since Earth forces are involved. Leadership has gotten complicated and no choice comes without consequences. This sequel continues to deliver wild future tech with kid appeal and nonstop action. Some readers may wish for a break in the unrelenting pace to flesh out personalities and backstories in more detail, but the accessible writing and relatable characters will have them turning pages to the end. VERDICT Great fun. Readers will want to pick up the first book, Space Runners: The Moon Platoon, prior to reading this installment. This series will appeal to fans of David Liss's Randoms and Max Brallier's The Last Kids On Earth . Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library