The Experiment

Nathan is used to keeping secrets. No one must know that he and his parents are from another planet, although his parents don’t like the term ‘aliens’, preferring to say that they are ‘visitors’ from the planet Kast. However, when Nathan suddenly grows a tail, which he calls ‘Tuck’, the family must return to the Wagon, their spaceship, to consult with Hester, the ‘boss’. But something is not right and Nathan soon starts to doubt everything he has been taught to believe…

‘The Experiment’ is a must read for anyone looking for something a little bit quirky, extremely well written and utterly absorbing! Once again, however, it is a story which is hard to review without ruining the plot for those who have not read it, but I have tried not to give too much away.

Nathan is a lovely, gentle lad who quietly submits to all the assessments and routines which he believes are part of his being Kast and enable him to pass as a ‘normal’ boy on Earth. Being with his best friend, Victor, he manages to experience being part of ‘a normal, messy, perfect family’, but is very aware of how different his life is to that of those around him, encouraging empathy from the reader as he reflects on his situation and feelings. Equally well developed is Victor, whose genuine loyalty to his friend is really touching.

Nathan’s plight is gradually exposed, raising many questions about what is happening and why and thus quickly hooking the reader. Intrigued, I found it hard to put down with the short chapters encouraging me to read ‘just one more’ as the pace picked up and the book romped its way to an exciting conclusion. For the right class, this would make an excellent class story, keeping them guessing, predicting and engaged until the very end!

The Experiment

Rebecca Stead

Andersen ISBN: 978-1839137815