Harvey Drew and the Junk Skunks by Cas Lester

Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781471403347
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. In the first few chapters of Harvey Drew and the Junk Skunks, there is an explosion of toxic slime, a hatching alien egg and the ship's cook/doctor announces they are all going to die! Just another crazy day on this intergalactic garbage collection ship called The Toxic Spew. It is captained by 11 year old Earthling, Harvey Drew. No food means time to panic as this motley crew start to feel the hunger and pain of no food. Their plan is to head for a space store called Waitless. On arrival at Waitless, the superstore, things don't seem quite right. It looks like the store has been abandoned and in quite a hurry! What is going on?
Harvey Drew and the Junk Skunks is aimed at boys aged 9+ but anyone who loves a giggle will enjoy reading this book. The text is quick moving and full of gross stuff, making it appealing to children. The use of nonsense words - such as spaghettification which occurs when you travel through a black hole and other space themed objects and events - will engage readers and encourage them to keep reading. It is easy to read, the characters are hilarious and the accompanying cartoon style images add to the hilarity.
Kylie Kempster