CCBC booklist are compiled from books we have recommended in various editions of CCBC Choices. Most of these booklists are updated annually. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include additional books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.
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We're Not From Here
CCBC Review:
When Lan Mifune’s family and others emerge from bio-suspension after a 20- year journey to the planet Choom, they discover they’re no longer welcome: A leadership change on Choom has put the colonizing Zhuri in control of the government, and Zhuri leaders don’t welcome immigrants. Environmental devastation on earth means going back is not an option. Following negotations, the Zhuri agree to allow one human reproductive unit—Lan’s family—onto the planet as an experiment to see if the species can integrate well. But the Zhuri believe humans are too emotional, and Zhuri leaders distrust emotion (which the Zhuri emit as scent). When they discover this, Lan, despite the pressure on their family to fit in, begins looking for ways to make the Zhuri laugh (a sweet, donut-like smell), while Lan’s new friend Marf, of a species called Ororo, begins distributing bootleg footage of Lan’s sister Ila, once a famous teen singer on earth, performing her biggest hit, rife with deep feeling. Zhuri society has abundant parallels to life in the United States, including school for Lan and Ila and jobs for their parents, along with a political climate taken to a satirical extreme, but it works in the context of this funny, insightful story. The end result is never in doubt, but getting there is a pleasure. ©2020 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 9-12
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Discrimination and Prejudice
Extraterrestrials
Families
Friendship
Humor
Immigration and Immigrants
Music and Musicians
Satire
Science Fiction
Diversity subject:
Asian
On CCBC Booklists:
Speculative and Science Fiction for Children and Teens
Bullying, Teasing, Relational Aggression and School Violence
Publishers:
Crown, Random House
Publish Year: 2019
Pages: 249
ISBN: 9781524773045
CCBC Location: Fiction, Rodkey
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our Recommended Book Search includes access to CCBC-recommended titles based on subject headings created by our staff.
Please send questions or comments about CCBC booklists to ccbcinfo@education.wisc.edu.