The first in a sparkling scientific series by veteran author Terry Deary, The Spark Files 1: Space Race, begins with the brightest and the dimmest of the Spark siblings squabbling about the shape of the earth. One minute they are afloat on a dodgy dinghy called the SS Titanic and the next they are catapulted into space with the dastardly Master Minde hot on their heels. But this is more than an adventure story. As the tale unfolds a series of practical, scientific experiments interspersed with fascinating facts about the sun, moon and earth are introduced, cleverly mingling reality with pacey storytelling.

The chances of a child and his parents agreeing on the value of a book must be fairly slim. Mum and dad want educational. Child wants aliens. In the Spark Files Deary and coauthor Barbara Allen have hit upon a magic formula to keep everyone happy. --Susan Harrison