For the uninitiated, middle grade books are books written for children between the ages of 8 to 12. But, even if you are not, you can enjoy these books regardless. For example, I mostly read middle grade fantasy because I have always loved that genre, and it has and will most likely always be my happy place. Reading is a deeply personal activity, and you can choose what you like to read. It is completely fine to read the ‘not so in vogue or popular or trending’ books. I believe that we should let people read what they love, unless they are middle graders who might need to be guided as to what to read. As a parent, teacher, guardian who might be reading this article, I believe it is important to help kids discover stories and genres they like based on their interests. If they love cars, superheroes and bugs, then you might want to start with books that have characters related to the things they already love. This will help keep young readers interested and engaged in reading stories about what truly matters to them rather than being compelled to read books that don’t really resonate with them, which will lead them to fall out of the love for reading.
Without further ado, let’s plunge right into this article and discover what this book is about and if this book might be a title you would like to add to your middle graders or your TBR.
The Boy Who Fell from the Sky Book Review
Zed or Zedaya Smyth is living with his dad, who is a renowned Hunter, working under the Authority, an organization committed to catching demons that fall from outer space. In this riveting middle grade sci-fi story, we embark on an adventure that takes us beyond earth.
Zed aspires to be just like his dad and granddad before him, who have made a name for themselves as hunters as part of the Authority. When Zed meets a supposedly evil demon, who doesn’t quite live up to its evil reputation, Zed finds his first friend, despite that friend being from another world, a much-feared demon who Zed and those in his world have been taught to fear and hate vehemently.
Despite this, Zed and Spark the demon, develop a close relationship. Zed and Spark learn that Speck, Spark’s brother, is being held by the Authority, a situation that has been established to protect humans from the supposedly villainous demons. Spark shows Zed that the whole reputation the Authority has created around demons is unjustified and unfounded.
Zed decides to defy his father and help Spark rescue his brother Speck. There is a big twist in this book, which I am not going to spoil for you. The characters are unbelievably realistic and relatable. I relate with Zed so much, because he too suffers from passive pressure to live up to the expectations of those around him, which paralyses him and makes it difficult for him to make the right decision.
This book can be enjoyed by both middle graders, parents with middle grade children, middle grade teachers or anyone who loves a good character driven, fast paced and action-packed sci fi story. I loved the wit and humour incorporated into this book, which made it a truly entertaining and engaging read.
This book also teaches kids and perhaps can teach adults, not to discriminate based on popular belief and stereotypes. Not all people fit stereotypes, and when we are angry, it is very easy to generalize and blame a whole community for the seeming slips of a few. This story reminds middle graders and everyone who reads it to always look at things critically and question societal and cultural norms.
I loved the friendship portrayed between Zed and Spark, who must work together to leave behind their differences and despite being worlds apart, literally and metaphorically, their friendship flourishes as they learn more about each other.
What is Middle Grade Science Fiction?
Middle Grade books are books meant for kids between the ages of 8 to 12, but that doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy these too. Science fiction includes fiction based on real or imaginary science upon the overall culture, society and people. This can be advanced technology and the impact it has on the lives of those who are part of these futuristic civilizations. Middle grade science fiction, as you might have guessed, is stories based on the near or distant future for kids between the ages of 8 to 12.
This book allows readers to engage imaginative and creative thinking, which lets them explore different ways of thinking. Everyone is different and this book is all about embracing and accepting our differences and owning up to our choices. We as humans have come far in terms of technology but one question, we might want to ask ourselves in this age of digital development and progress is, have we sacrificed our humanity for progress and innovation? This book dives deep into this question in an entertaining way that is not tedious but written in a masterful and creative manner.
Why is Middle Grade Science Fiction Important?
While I am a big fan of middle grade fantasy, middle grade sci-fi or any kind of sci fi never really caught my attention. But something about the blurb of The Boy Who Fell From the Sky caught my eye, not to mention the stunning cover with every colour you could ever imagine on it (by now you must be able to tell I do judge books by their cover at times, and this time happened to be one time I didn’t really regret being deceived by appearances). Middle grade science fiction, like fantasy, allows us and the middle graders in our lives to imagine what could be, the possibilities. As no two people think alike, this is a very important thing you need to keep in mind as to why you need to encourage your young ones to read as a parent, teacher, librarian or guardian.
Reading Makes the Mind Disciplined
By reading, children develop skills in discipline and focus. The sense of achievement and fulfilment that involves reading a book cover to cover, will give the child in your life a sense of accomplishment. Reading will help your child to stay more focused and less distracted. This can also help them perform well in academic activities.
It Opens Up Doors to New Possibilities
This story touches upon space and space travel. The alien or demon in this case who is named Spark wants to get back to his world. He can shapeshift. The strange weapons that the hunters use to capture demons that fall from the skies including the headquarters of the Authority, where the hunters work, gives the story a futuristic feeling.
Helps Kids Become Aware About the World and Beyond
Regardless of the futuristic setting of the story, the problems discussed in the story are more modern in nature. From the difficulty kids have making solid and long-lasting friendships in this day and age, to kids who are bullied and looked down upon for being different, this book explores different challenges middle graders are highly likely to experience in their day-to-day life.
Reading Allows Children to Know Themselves and Others Better
Furthermore, the relationship between parents and children is explored at a deep level here. When society along with parents place too much emphasis on what a child should be and do, then the chances of the things being too overwhelming is portrayed well in this book. This book encourages children to think for themselves just as much as they consider what their parents tell them. I believe that is important. As a child, who will one day grow into an adult, children should be encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy and independent thinking. Thinking for themselves will help a child to get better at making decisions and better choices that aligns with their authentic beliefs and values.
Why I Loved This Book
While there were many reasons to love this book, I thought of mentioning some here so that it might inspire and intrigue you to find out more about this book or pick it up for the middle grader in your life or for yourself. I loved this book because I related deeply to Zed. I felt the pressure he felt from his dad’s side to prove himself and follow in the footsteps of his family. But Zed questions this and explores what he truly wants. I believe this is something important for every middle grader to know. We are free to choose our own fates in terms of what we decide to grow up to be something that I realised a bit too late for my comfort.
The Story Encourages Kids to Be Curious
In this book, the protagonist Zed isn’t rebellious for the sake of being rebellious but instead he is so because he understands and believes in the fact that his dad might be wrong. As a reader, I completely agreed with Zed’s decision to follow his conscience. This story shows that it takes an exceptional amount of courage to follow your dreams and that sometimes, what you think is what you want is not what is best for you. This book managed to deliver so many important life lessons in a fun and digestible way that despite not being a middle grader myself, I can say with confidence that it truly was a magical and life-changing read.
Teaches the Value of Acceptance and Looking Past Differences
The Boy Who Fell from the Sky is the title in this book, and the protagonist is not the boy who fell from the sky. The boy mentioned in the book title is an alien boy or demon as known in Zed’s world, which is modelled after our world but in a more futuristic setting. From his early childhood, Zed is taught to despise and distrust demons, who according to his dad and the superior who is the head of the institution named Authority are advocating for hunting down these aliens or demons. The book goes on to show how we as humans have sadly throughout history treated those who are different to us in terms of looks or beliefs.
It is Not Just Deep but Entertaining
If you are looking for a book that doesn’t just educate but also entertains your middle grader or you for that matter, this book is an excellent pick that will keep you turning pages. Not only does this book invite readers to be more empathetic and understanding but it also encourages and invites us to be more thoughtful in our day-to-day interactions. This can be helpful to instil good values in your middle grader at an early stage in life that will allow them to carry these qualities over to their future lives.
I loved the fact that Zed is curious about everything and questions everything when he needs to. We and the middle graders in our life live in a society where we are bombarded with information, messages and ideas that it can be quite confusing and paralysing to discover our identity and authentic self. These topics are explored at a deeper level in this book which makes this book an excellent read for middle graders who most likely are grappling with similar questions and ideas in their life. This book is packed with thoughts and observations mainly by the protagonist Zed and Spark the hunted Demon that are both profound and thought provoking.
Some of My Favourite Scenes from The Book
Some of my favourite scenes from the book include when Zed keeps doubting if his dad will abandon him when his dad loses his most prized possession which is a platinum medal he has been holding for some time awarded for the best hunter by the Authority, when the demon escapes thanks to Zed, his dad is demoted down to the bronze medal by the superior. When Zed feels guilty for having caused his father to be demoted from his most coveted position of being a much-admired hunter, Zed questions if his dad will abandon him for his mistakes.
The next scene that really hit home was the scene where Zed begins to question everything that he had thought to be true and aspired to live up to all being founded upon a lie. He questions the Authority and the false information it had fed the society about demons by villainizing them when he begins to question if the demons are the real villains after all.
Zed realises that in truth the institution of Authority is making a sport out of hunting lost people from another world. He realises this when he meets and finds out the truth from Spark, the supposedly deadly demon who ends up being Zed’s best friend.
I also love the bit where Spark, the demon puts a bully in their place. Spark does this by telling the bully off and using wit, humour and sarcasm to make the bully back away. This is quite a hilarious scene where Spark the demon boy compares the bully to a pig and calls her mother Mrs Pig. I couldn’t stop laughing at the witty words of Spark.
Why Middle Graders Will Love This Book
Some of the major themes of this book include self-discovery, survival and technology. This makes these books ideal for middle graders who are in one way, or another might be having to deal with one or perhaps all the themes linked to this book.
Jed struggles with understanding who he really is, when his father and the society tries to shape his identity, he realises that he doesn’t need to be what everyone tells him to be, and that he has the power and the ability to choose his own identity.
Just as some or if not, most middle graders do, Jed finds it difficult to find friends who understand him and who stand up for him. This resonated with me, and I know for a fact that it will resonate with middle graders who struggle between trying to fit in and to be their true version. I enjoyed reading the scenes where Jed and Spark work together trying to figure out a way out of their problem, which you will find out about once you pick up the book and give it a read!
About the Author
Benjamin Dean is an author who has worked in celebrity journalism. In addition to the book THE BOY WHO FELL FROM THE SKY, he has written other books including his debut, ME, MY DAD AND THE END OF THE RAINBOW, THE SECRET SUNSHINE PROJECT, THE KING IS DEAD and HOW TO DIE FAMOUS.
