Author: Ray O’Ryan
Illustrator: Jason Kraft
Genre: Science Fiction:Early Reader
Reading Level: 2nd grade and up
“Planet hop with Zack Nelson on his galactic adventures as he makes new friends, explores a newly discovered planet, helps a dinosaur get back to its prehistoric home, befriends a space monster, plays real life video games, and much more!” Amazon
The Galaxy Zach series is a Science Fiction series for young readers who are transitioning into chapter books. There are not many books for this age group in this genre and this series is a refreshing addition for beginning readers. Large font and black and white illustrations on every page make the stories easy to read and follow. These books seem to have found a good balance between interesting plot/story line and a formatting style that will engage reluctant and beginning readers.
Book 1: HELLO, NEBULON!
Galaxy Zack moves with his parents from Earth to Planet Nebulon. Zach is nervous about his new home and misses his old friends but soon finds new friends and adventures.
Zack’s experiences show that whatever changes we face in life, we can look for the positive and adapt…afterall, what change could be more drastic than moving to a far away planet!
Book 2: JOURNEY TO JUNO
Zack joins his school’s Explorer’s Club and visits Juno, a newly discovered planet of crystals. The group is split into pairs as they begin exploring, and Zack is not happy to be partnered with Seth Stevens, the Phase 2 bully! Seth expects Zack to do the work while he goofs off. Zack finds something very special and decides to hide it to show to the Explorer’s Club himself, leaving Seth out…or will he decide to share the credit?
Zack is a great role model for kids in dealing with bullies by responding with kindness instead of continuing the cycle of meanness.
Book 7: A GALACTIC EASTER
Zack and Drake venture to Gluco, the candy planet, for some Easter fun. Once there, the two friends decide to compete in activities, including an egg toss and a three-legged race. Zack remembers how he used to win all the Easter competitions on Earth, and he is determined to win them on Gluco, too. With the contest so close, Zack begins to wonder if he should cheat to ensure victory. Will Zack have to choose between playing fair or coming out on top?
Drake is a good influence on Zack and in the end, Zack does learn how to play fairly. This story does focus on the worldly celebration of Easter with no mention of the real reason we celebrate.
Book 9: THE ANNOYING CRUSH
Zack can’t wait to test out Sara, the new Super Advanced Robotic Assistant that his dad’s been working on. At first, she’s great and super helpful! Sara helps Mom unpack clothes for her store at lightning speed. She plays catch with Luna. And she turns into a one-bot band for the twins. But when Sara develops a huge crush on Zack, the fun is over! Can Zack figure out a way to fix this mixed-up robot?
I felt the title is deceiving because this one isn’t about how to deal with a crush but more about being honest with parents about issues you are facing. As soon as Zack is honest with his parents, there is a quick and easy solution rather than his more difficult approach. I appreciate how the author ties in great lessons in each story. The crush in the story is when Sara, the robot, who is programmed to learn while engaging in a family setting watches a movie with the family that has a romantic spin to it and Sara picks up the “flirtatiousness” from one of the characters in the movie and acts it out towards Zack. Very innocent and a program malfunction.
Book 12: OPERATION TWIN TROUBLE
Zack’s twin sisters are the best of friends. They’re never apart, share everything, and even finish each other’s sentences! But when the two get into an argument while visiting another planet, an astronomical fight breaks out. Suddenly, Zack finds himself stuck in the middle of a tricky twin situation. Zack attempts to diffuse the situation. Can he save Cathy and Charlotte’s sisterly bond from intergalactic destruction?
The plot of sibling rivalry and antics between twin sisters and Zack will definitely be relatable to students. The siblings in this story behave like normal siblings and work to a solution to their differences.
Book 18: GAME OVER, NEBULON
Zack and his friends are chosen to go to Planet Digitron with their teacher to participate in the Intergalactic Games. They can’t wait to battle virtual monsters, race on virtual obstacle courses, and compete with other planets in a real life video game. The friends know that sticking together will give them the best chance at winning but when it comes time to play the game and they face unexpected hurdles will they be able to play together and make a comeback?
Young video game fans will love this book. Zack, Seth, and Drake learn that they can’t blame each other when things go wrong if they want to do well in the game. They pull together, join forces with a team that treated them unfairly at the beginning and find that by working together they have more fun and compete better.
BOTTOM LINE:
I intentionally chose to read titles from this series that had a potential for concerns (bullies, Easter, crushes, sibling rivalry, video games). I was pleased to find that all of these stories are age appropriate, free of bad language or name-calling, and show positive role models without seeming forced. The Easter story does not include the Biblical truths and only focuses on secular egg hunts and candy which is not how we want our children to view Easter so parents may want to have that conversation with children who read that title.
The stories are well written and will appeal to students in 2nd grade up to 4th. Since they are visually appealing they may be a good way to hook a reluctant reader!
Books may be purchased individually or in sets at Amazon
I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you purchase using this link.
