STARCROSS: A Stirring Adventure of Spies, Time Travel and Curious Hats
written by Philip Reeve
illustrated by David Wyatt
Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Science Fiction/Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781599901213
320 pages

Art Mumby and his sister Myrtle live in an alternate universe in 19th century space in a house that orbits the planet Earth. Workmen disrupt their family life while undertaking extensive remodeling and repairs, so when their mother receives an invitation to an asteroid belt resort hotel named Starcross, their father urges them to take a vacation while he stays behind to supervise the carpenters. Art also hopes that this will distract Myrtle from her tiresome heartsick longing for Jack Havock, the dashing young space pirate the Mumbys met in their previous adventure, chronicled in LARKLIGHT.

The asteroid belt is between Mars and Jupiter. Millions of Earth humans, Martians and other beings live on them. In fact, the Starcross asteroid once was a part of Mars that had broken off millions of years before. When the Mumby trio arrives at Starcross, they are disoriented by its appearance. It looks like an old abandoned building at first glance, but as they approach they see it is a large, lovely hotel overlooking a white sand basin. The hotel is run by Mr. Titfer, along with a wide array of automated robots. Art and Myrtle wonder where the ocean is; the invitation specifically mentioned "sea bathing," and Myrtle brought the latest in bathing costumes. When Mr. Titfer informs them that the tide has been out for one-hundred million years but comes in every 12 hours or so, their question is simply answered with a riddle.

While Myrtle and Mother sleep, Art explores his room. In his closet he finds a hatbox. Somehow, Art knows that Mr. Titfer's hats are the best ones in the universe (this is odd because, until he saw a train station advertisement for Titfer's Top-Notch Toppers as they traveled to Starcross, he had no idea Mr. Titfer had anything to do with hats). Art feels an irresistible urge to wear the hat, but as he gets ready to place it on his head, he is distracted by a voice saying "Moob!" As he tries to find whoever uttered that word, Art realizes that the ocean has come in.

Things grow more mysterious when the Mumbys go down to breakfast, for one of the guests is someone they know well…in disguise. While swimming, Myrtle and Mother discover two people who have been changed into Venusian Changeling Trees. Meanwhile, guests are talking about hats and dreaming about them. When Mother and Art are chloroformed into unconsciousness, a wild, time-traveling adventure ensues across prehistoric Mars.

This is a rollicking, jolly good adventure filled with bizarre characters, including knitting goblins. Although young readers might be put off a bit by the old-fashioned style and the plentiful (silly) footnotes, patient booklovers will be rewarded with an imaginative romp. The book is beautiful, with its heavy pages and ornate black and white illustrations. It's also hilarious (as when Myrtle takes over the tale only under the condition that "Mr. Wyatt" NOT illustrate her in her night clothes. When the page is turned, there she is, nightgown and all, with the caption "Myrtle in her night attire.")

STARCROSS could be read as a stand-alone, but why would anyone choose to miss out on the first book, LARKLIGHT, yet another delightful read?

    --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

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