S.O.S. from Outer Space

Ada Hopper, Glass House Graphics, Rafael Kirschner

• Publisher: Little Simon
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781665902960
• eBook ISBN: 9781665902984

In the ninth DATA Set adventure, the kids blast off into outer space!

When Laura hears a strange but familiar buzzing coming from her radio, she instantly knows who’s trying to get in touch. It’s none other than Fave, the DATA Set’s alien friend who crashed down on Earth! The kids excitedly decode the message but learn that Fave is in trouble! Join the kids as they suit up and blast off into the galaxy on a mission to help an old friend.

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the DATA Set chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.

Chapter 1 A Familiar Message

“He fakes left, he passes right! Rodriguez is in position. He shoots and—GOOOOOAL!” Cesar cried out the winning score for his favorite soccer team.

Gabe, Laura, and Olive grinned as Cesar did a victory lap around the tree house. The four second-grade whiz kids—otherwise known as the DATA Set—were together listening to the Global Soccer Cup finals on Laura’s super-powered radio. Cesar was a huge soccer fan, and thanks to his photographic memory, he knew each player’s statistics by heart. The game was being broadcast live all the way from Argentina.

“Congrats, Cesar!” Gabe said. “Your team won!”

“Huzzah!” Cesar spun around, showing off his autographed Rodriguez soccer jersey. “I wore my lucky jersey. They had good Cesar vibes coming at them from halfway around the world!”

“You know, speaking of ‘around the world,’ ” Olive said, glancing over at Laura, “your international radio is really cool. I feel like I’m at the game in Argentina!”

“Thanks!” Laura said, grinning. “I’ve been tinkering with it lately. The signals are coming in stronger than ever.”

Laura turned the dial to the right, and suddenly a woman was singing a lovely French ballad. With another twist, the radio tuned into an Australian comedy festival.

“Can you try tuning in to the International Space Station?” Gabe asked eagerly.

Olive giggled. “I think that might be a little too far, don’t you?” she asked.

But to Olive’s surprise, her friends shook their heads.

“No, Laura’s radio does reach outer space,” Cesar said matter-of-factly.

“Actually, come to think of it, it’s been to outer space too,” Gabe added.

Olive’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “Really?”

Laura nodded. “It’s a long story.” She turned the knobs as she tried to find the radio frequency of the International Space Station. “I don’t know if I can tap into NASA’s signals,” she said. “But this… might… just… do it.”

Laura adjusted a control. Static sizzled and popped over the speakers. Then suddenly, a familiar sound came through.

Boop-boop. Beep-boop-beep.

“I don’t believe it,” Laura said softly.

“Why? What is it?” Olive asked.

“It’s a message… from someone we know!”

Chapter 2 Best Alien Friends

“We have to get to Dr. Bunsen’s lab!” Laura exclaimed.

She grabbed her radio, and the DATA Set sped down the tree house elevator.

“We got a surprise message,” Laura cried, getting on her bike. “From Fave!”

“Who’s Fave?” Olive called after her.

“Laura’s alien best friend,” Cesar said.

Olive blinked, unsure she had heard correctly. “Laura has an alien best friend?”

“She sure does,” said Cesar, wiggling his arms to imitate the tiny alien. “Four arms? Big eyes? We must have told you about him.”

“Uh… no.” Olive shook her head.

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Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Chapter 1: A Familiar Message
• Chapter 2: Best Alien Friends
• Chapter 3: S.O.S. from Outer Space
• Chapter 4: Space Training
• Chapter 5: Blastoff!
• Chapter 6: Across the Cosmos
• Chapter 7: Greetings, Earthlings!
• Chapter 8: The Poly Chrome Meteor Park
• Chapter 9: Home Sweet Space Home
• Chapter 10: S.O.S. from Earth!
• About the Author and Illustrator
• Copyright