This is the absolutely true story of how Lansburg, Pennsylvania, was invaded by aliens. None of this story is false. At least… not according to Gideon Hofstadt.
Last fall, Lansburg, Pennsylvania, was invaded. Weeks of chaos followed. There were sightings of UFOs, close encounters, and even abductions. There were believers, Truth Seekers, and above all, people who looked to the sky and hoped for more. Only…there were no aliens.
Gideon Hofstadt knows the truth; after one of his science experiments went wrong, Gideon and his older brother blamed the resulting explosion on extraterrestrial activity. To their surprise, their lie was not only believed by the town…it was embraced.
As the brothers go to increasingly greater lengths to keep up the ruse to avoid getting caught, the hoax flourishes. But Gideon's obsession with their tale threatens his whole world. Can he find a way to banish the aliens before Lansburg, and his life, are changed forever?
About the Author
Chelsea Sedoti fell in love with writing at a young age after discovering that making up stories was more fun than doing her schoolwork. (Her teachers didn't always appreciate this.) She now focuses that passion by writing about flawed teenagers who are also afraid of growing up, like in her novels, The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and As You Wish. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she avoids casinos but loves roaming the Mojave Desert.
Industry Reviews
"Well written...Believable characters facing realistic teenage issues coupled with a thematic exploration of wishes, fears, and principles of honesty and ethics will help to keep readers' attention." - School Library Connection
"A page-turner as engrossing as any classic Twilight Zone starring two spirited brothers who run circles around the Hardy Boys." - Ben Philippe, Morris Award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
"A balanced exploration of maturity, vulnerability, human connection, and our innate desire to believe. " - Kirkus Reviews
"Sedoti will draw readers in with the outrageous situation and the town's amusing aspects, such as a 63-foot lava lamp, but she truly excels with Gideon-a unique character whose desire for recognition and achievement is universal." - Publishers Weekly
"[A] quirky, intelligent novel ... Big questions of morality, cosmic insignificance, and human connection ground this novel even as it ponders the stars." - Booklist
"At 500 pages, this story certainly delivers an interesting tale of two boys trying to keep themselves out of trouble with a lie, but manage to have an experience of a lifetime. I encourage you to pick this story up if you're into tales of hoaxes, extraterrestrials, and family." - The Nerd Daily
"Funny and lighthearted...Fans of Pete Hautman's dark humor, E. Lockhart's playful formats (letters and emails and transcripts, for example), Libba Bray's grasp of the outrageous, and John Green's sense of place will enjoy Sedoti's newest offering." - School Library Journal