Review: Gabby Duran and the Unsittables by Elise Allen, Daryle Connors

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Ages 8-12
Case File: The First Unsittable
Summary: The Association Linking Intergalatics and Earthlings (hereby known as A.L.I.E.N.) has a new member. After months of investigation, Gabby Duran, Associate 4118-25125A, has proven herself to be a babysitter extraordinaire. Her celebrity clients fly her around the country to care for their rambunctious little humans. Our spy, Associate 4118-23432B, otherwise known as Edwina, believes Gabby can be trusted with the truth: aliens are living among humans on Earth. And here at A.L.I.E.N we believe that even extraterrestrials need a babysitter now and then. No one was up to the task until now.
After accepting the top-secret position, Edwina has paired our new associate up with her first charge, a little girl from the planet Flarknartia. The timing for associate 4118-25125A is less than ideal. It's a school day on Planet Earth, Gabby's audition for the solo part in the band is tonight, and this tiny alien is a bit more than meets the eye.
Can Gabby Duran, Associate 4118-25125A, First Sitter to the Unsittables, keep her otherworldly charge safe in the unpredictable halls of middle-school and keep A.L.I.E.N hidden?

MY TAKE:
I don't usually read featuring aliens, but I'm glad I gave this one a try.

In Gabby Duran and the Unsittables, Gabby is a babysitter who is well-known for being able to take care of kids who some may consider unsittable. Her reputation attracts the attention of A.L.I.E.N. and they enlist her services to babysit alien children. Gabby is confident she can do the job, but the alien children are the least of her worries. A shadowy organization is bent on getting rid of aliens, and if they knew of Gabby's connection to A.L.I.E.N., things could get dicey for her and her charges.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit like Men in Black meets Babysitters Club. I'm not a fan of scary aliens, and I prefer my aliens cute and funny. The aliens in this book certainly are that. Wutt is such a cutie pie! I also thought her shape-shifting ability was fitting and made the story more interesting.

The whole idea of an organization that protects aliens and a group that does the opposite isn't exactly new. However, it doesn't matter in this instance. Everything works together perfectly such that even concepts that have been done before feel perfect for the story and its feel and pacing.

Aside from the aliens' varying talents and abilities, the biggest draw and asset of this book is Gabby. She is a sweet, charming little girl who has a good heart, but has desires and faults just like any other girl. I'm sure there are plenty of little girls out there who will be able to relate to her.

I absolutely can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. The aliens are mostly charming and sweet.
2. The pacing was perfect.
3. Gabby is likable. 

THE BAD:

1. The next book won't come out for a while. 

READ IT IF:

1. You or your child likes aliens that are mostly on the nice side.
2. Your child wants to babysit someday.
3. Your kid likes adventure novels. 

RATING:


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