Twelve-year-old twins in foster care seek their origins in this tale of UFOs and aliens … maybe.
Twins Jordie and Joey were found in a crop circle as infants and placed into foster care, where they are moved among a succession of foster homes, including one where they were kicked out after the father caught Joey kissing his other son. They also have strange circular markings on their spines, causing their middle school classmates to call them aliens. Jordie is inclined to believe them—this “explains why no foster family ever wants to keep us. We just don’t belong here. We never will,” he says.
After Joey gets into a fight at school with a boy who was teasing Jordie, they know their current foster mother will have had enough, and that they’ll likely be separated on their next placement. Jordie therefore convinces Joey to run away in search of their birth parents, whom he thinks are related to the aliens who landed at Roswell. Joey isn’t so sure, but agrees to go. They are unexpectedly accompanied by new friend Nadia, whose parents are known, but often absent. They first head to Roswell, talking with UFO believers and supposed abductees and trying to find more about where they came from—and importantly, where they belong.
The boys’ close relationship forms the heart of the story, although their differing opinions about their origins add some tension. The narrative highlights some of the real-life stresses of the foster-care system even as it spins an adventure story that feels like science fiction. Whether it is or isn’t is part of the denouement at Area 51—it’s a major spoiler, but it does lead to a content warning that adults may wish to know, so I’ll write it in white on white below–click and drag over the area if you want to see it:
One of the boy’s foster mothers abused them by burning them with cigarettes when they were 7 years old, causing the marks on their spines and significant trauma. Joey has known this they whole time, but Jordie forgot, and Joey was told to let him remember on his own.
Author Judi Lauren makes a good call by not offering answers to all of Jordie and Joey’s questions about their origins, but also by having them end up in a place of hope. It’s a good balance of keeping things (relatively) light as appropriate for the age range, but not making the ending too simplistic or saccharine. Joey’s queer identity isn’t a major plot point but does come up a few times, and there is some indication that the boys have found a queer-friendly home at the end. A recommended read.
The boys and Nadia all read as White.
