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Cover of Be First in the Universe

Be First in the Universe

Terry Bisson;Stephanie Spinner (2000)

SubgenreEpic Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages (Quick Read (<250))
SeriesGemini Jack #1
Setting
CSM age8
Goodreads3.19
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Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

Not yet tagged

Positive tags

AdventureHumorSibling BondMystery

Protagonist archetypes

Duo / PartnersComing-of-Age Protagonist

Tropes

Fish out of WaterComing of AgeFound FamilyPortal FantasyQuestMentor Figure

Themes

AdventureSibling RelationshipsTechnology and MagicGood vs EvilDiscoveryProblem Solving

Synopsis

While staying with their hippie grandparents, ten-year-old twins, Tod and Tessa, discover an unusual shop at the nearby mall, where they find a lie-detecting electronic pet, a Do-Right machine, and other alien gadgets which help them foil their nemeses, the evil Gneiss twins.

Is Be First in the Universe appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 8 and up.

A lighthearted middle grade adventure about twins who discover alien gadgets at a mall and use them to outwit their rivals. Contains mild peril and conflict appropriate for younger readers.

What to know going in

This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language.

Who'll love this

Kids will love the creative alien technology, twin protagonists, and the fun competition against the mean Gneiss twins.

Tags

Science FictionChildren's HumorContemporary Fantasy