Ross Welford’s 'The Kid Who Came from Space' begins with the mysterious disappearance of twelve-year-old Tammy, who lives in a small English village in the wilds of Northumberland. Her twin brother, Ethan, and his friend, Iggy, uncover that Tammy has been abducted by aliens from another world and set off on a perilous journey to rescue her. What follows is an intergalactic rescue mission filled with moral dilemmas and an unexpected alliance with a quirky alien named Hellyann (a metaphorical alien on her own planet, Anthalla) and a rebellious spaceship called Philip (gotta love that spaceship with attitude!), creating a gripping tale that’s hard to put down.
Short chapters with intriguing twists characterize the book, giving it the feel of a fast-paced thriller. The narrative shifts between Ethan, Tammy’s twin brother, and Hellyann, the would-be alien rescuer, providing readers with insights into both worlds. The portrayal of Earth and Anthalla (Hellyann’s planet) can be compared to negatives in old film cameras: they are inverses of one another. The aliens on Anthalla believe that anything that stirs emotion or ignites the imagination (think love or music) should be feared, while humans are willing to risk everything for those they love. The alien world is thus controlled and peaceful, but on our Earth, chaos prevails, with wars and strife unfortunately being commonplace. This contrast is intentional and, similar to dystopian literature, prompts children to consider which world they would prefer to inhabit.
Welford, a former journalist and TV producer from the UK, is best known for the bestseller Time Traveling with a Hamster. He excels at exploring fantastical concepts within grounded, emotionally resonant narratives. In this book, he skillfully weaves themes of sibling love and friendship, along with the belief that ordinary kids can achieve extraordinary things—a powerful combination in any genre.
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