Bongo Fishing - Hardcover, by Hurd Thacher - Very Good

Bongo Fishing by Thacher Hurd is a delightful middle-grade adventure that blends humor, heart, and intergalactic escapades. The story follows Jason Jameson, an ordinary boy from Berkeley, whose life takes a wild turn when he meets Sam, a short, bluish alien mechanic from the Pleiades. Sam travels through space in a lime-green 1960 Dodge Dart, and after Jason helps him repair his "car," the two become fast friends. Their adventures include bongo fishing in space, rescuing Sam from the military, and thwarting a deranged psychiatrist's plan to capture the aliens for the benefit of mankind. Hurd's black-and-white illustrations add to the whimsical nature of the story, making it a fun and engaging read for children aged 9–12.