Will the Signal Work?

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to meet someone from another planet, then you will be captivated by Signal by Cynthia DeFelice. Owen McGuire is out running when he stumbles upon a girl with startling green eyes and cuts all over her body. She appears to be about his age and tells him her name is Campion and that she is from a distant planet called Home. Owen doesn’t know what to believe, but he can’t help but be intrigued by Campion and what she tells him about Home. Campion’s parents are coming to pick her up in a few days and she asks for Owen’s help in getting the crop circle ready so that she can signal them. Owen agrees to help and is surprised by how happy he is working with Campion and getting to know her. The past two years since his mom died have been rough, and he has felt very alone while he and his dad do their own things. If his dad wasn’t so lost in his own world Owen wouldn’t even have the time to help Campion make the signal for her parents. When Campion offers Owen a chance to go to Home with her he has an enormous decision to make. Will Campion’s parents arrive in a spaceship to pick her up? Will her parents be anything like the ones Owen conjured up in his mind? Will Owen decide to leave Earth in the hopes of a happier life on Home with his new friend? You will have to see for yourself what is happening in this mysterious book!

This is a good read for any time that you are looking for a book you can finish in a day or two. The story starts at a slower pace, but the action starts to build as soon as Campion and Owen meet. Campion was so mysterious, and she kept me guessing throughout the story. My heart went out to Owen because he was so lonely and depressed. I especially liked learning about Home and what a wonderful planet it is. As Owen learned more and decided to help Campion, I was able to see how he was finally changing and growing since his mom passed away. He had a lot of unresolved emotions, and it was great to see how his life changed through his relationship with Campion. I was curious throughout the book, and I couldn’t wait to find out if Campion was really from another planet and if her parents would see her signal and pick her up in their spaceship. I think kids between the ages of 8 and 14 will enjoy this book if they like science fiction and stories about friendship. This story kept my interest and made me think. I also learned a lot about crop circles!   

Has anyone else read Signal? Or have you read another book by Cynthia DeFelice? We would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!
~L