In this followup to Aliens on Vacation, David is looking forward to spending another summer at his grandmother's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast. When he arrives, though, he finds out that the new alien handyman may be out to destroy Earth. Even worse: nobody will believe him! The fast-paced, funny story will keep fans of the series hooked. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 4-7-Returning to his grandmother's Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast, 14-year-old David is looking forward to connecting with his old friends from last summer, especially Amy, in Clete Barrett Smith's sequel (2012) to Aliens on Vacation (2011, both Hyperion). Unfortunately, the first person he encounters is Scratchull who is hostile and condescending. David seems to bring out the worst in this alien whom everyone else believes is helpful and tame. The humor and frustration of David being continually duped by the egotistical alien moves the plot. Only David knows he intends to destroy the planet, but Scratchull always has a ready explanation that makes David seem so crazy and dishonest that he is expelled from his summer job and his ticket home is purchased. David's only friend is a purple extraterrestrial he calls Snarffle, because this dog-like creature eats anything. David discovers he is the only one who can save the planet. Joshua Swanson's narration is convincing. He assumes a sinister tone for Scratchull's interactions with David and a saccharine voice for conversations with others at the B & B. From the visiting aliens and the cynical former-sheriff Tate to Scratchull's gummy sidekick, Swanson delivers the male characters with distinctive voicing. Listeners will be rooting for David.-Janet Thompson, Chicago Public Library, West Belmont Branch, IL (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this warm-hearted sequel to Aliens on Vacation (2011), David resumes his summer job at Grandma's Intergalactic Bed Breakfast and finds himself on the wrong footing with a creepy alien. David is thrilled to be back at Grandma's, where he helps with the vacationing outer-space guests. However, he quickly discovers a sinister element in the new employee, Scratchull. Scratchull is a skull-headed, slug-eating alien whose voice drips with condescension. He gives David the creeps but has everyone else fooled. Snarffle, a purple, bouncy alien with six legs, a spinning tail and a boundless appetite, becomes David's charge and supplies much of the story's chuckles. Meanwhile, David stumbles upon Scratchull's diabolical plan to get home and destroy Earth in the process. Replete with good intentions but lacking in finesse, David is unable to convince the others of their danger. Grandma has entered the baking contest at the Pioneer Day Festival in an effort to improve her relations with the human community, but with Scratchull helping out in the kitchen, David cannot shake this feeling of unease. Over the course of this funny sequel, David proves you don't have to be a rocket scientist to overcome villainy, and Snarffles can be man's as well as alien's best friend. With a festival grand finale that's like a picnic of the living dead, this outing is spot-on for middle graders who like a dash of humor in their science fiction. (Science fiction. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.