What This Book Is About
It is the early 1960s and America and the Soviet Union are racing each other into space. Ruth is a twelve-year-old orphan on her aunt's farm in Kansas, with no company she wants and the night sky overhead. Then a flying saucer crashes in the field. Inside it is a pilot in a silver suit, and Ruth names him Spaceboy.
What follows is a chase. Ruth hides Spaceboy from her aunt, from the sheriff and from the men who turn up in radiation suits, and then takes him right across the country to Cape Canaveral. This is Ruth's story rather than the alien's: she is the one making the decisions, and the one with everything to lose. David Walliams writes broad, fast comedy, and with Adam Stower's illustrations throughout, the 448 pages turn much faster than the page count suggests.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
Spaceboy is an excellent choice for building reading stamina at the A2 level. At 448 pages, it's a big book by Grade 4 standards, but the combination of simple language, short chapters, frequent illustrations, and non-stop humor means it reads far faster than its page count suggests. Finishing a "thick" book gives young readers a huge confidence boost.
Thematically, the book champions curiosity, determination, and kindness to strangers. Ruth takes in someone who is literally alien and protects him when every adult around her would not, which reflects UWC's core value of embracing difference. The early-1960s Space Race setting also gives a gentle introduction to a period of real history. For students in Singapore's multicultural environment, Ruth's decision to stand by someone nobody else will resonates powerfully.
Reading Level Guide
Building up to this book. The page count may seem daunting at A1, but the illustrations help. Start with shorter Walliams titles like Mr Stink first.
Perfect difficulty. The simple language and constant humor make 448 pages fly by. A genuine page-turner at A2.
Comfortable read at B1. Still lots of fun, but try Foxlight or The Many Meanings of Meilan for more challenge.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.