The Prom Goer’s Interstellar Excursion

Girlfriendless, voted “most awkward” by his senior class, and waitlisted by Princeton, 18-year-old Bennett Bardo is surprised when his long-time infatuation, Sophie Gilkey, goads him into asking her to prom. Surprise turns to horror when he witnesses her abduction by aliens near Roswell, N.M. Determined to find her, Bennett joins a washed-up intergalactic rock band named the Perfectly Reasonable, which consists of a chronically drunk singer, a flirtatious bassist, a drummer with an eye toward clothing design, and a spiritual talking ram named Walter. McCoy (Scurvy Goonda) frames Bennett’s hilarious and self-deprecating confessional around fast-paced scenes reminiscent of a Dr. Who episode by way of Daniel Pinkwater. The witty and acidic dialogue between the band mates (“You’re a wax figure of your former self”) adds comic relief as Bennett races to save Sophie from a murderous reality TV show and the band’s popularity and funds nosedive. McCoy’s laser-sharp descriptions enliven worlds where “sentient chunks of asphalt” congregate with “overheated sand trolls.” Though the conclusion is not the expected happily-ever-after, Bennett and the band receive their due rewards. Ages 12–up. Agent: David Kuhn, Kuhn Projects. (Apr.)