Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton

Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+

Published by Macmillan, 2016

Adventure
Funny
Science fiction

About this book

Prez used to live with his grandfather, until there was a misunderstanding with the wrong apartment and a knife, and his grandfather was locked away. Now he is a Temporary kid - sent to a farm to live with the rambunctious Blythe family. It's all been a bit too much for Prez, who has stopped talking. So it is lucky for him that Sputnik, a dog-shaped alien that shows up one day, can read minds.

Prez discovers that he has one summer to come up with a list of ten great things about the earth, in order to stop it from being destroyed. But can Prez prove the world is worth saving?

This book is heart-breaking and hilarious in equal measure. Prez's uncertainty of his place in the world makes him hugely endearing, and Sputnik, the unpredictable and spontaneous alien, is a fantastic character - filling the pages with joy and adventure. Sure to be a huge hit.

About the author

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is a multi award-winning children’s book author and screenwriter. Millions, his debut children's novel, won the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal.

His other books include Cosmic, Framed, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, Runaway Robot, Noah’s Gold and The Wonder Brothers. He has enjoyed a long-time collaboration with award-winning illustrator Steven Lenton. His books have been shortlisted for a multitude of prizes, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Whitbread Children’s Fiction Award, The Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award.

Frank is also a highly successful screenwriter. He has written for the hit TV series Dr Who and his script for Michael Morpurgo’s Kensuke’s Kingdom won a British Animation Award. Along with Danny Boyle, he devised the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. Frank has been the judge for the 500 Words competition and the BBC's One Show As You Write It competition.

Frank is a lifelong champion of children’s books. In 2023 he launched a successful podcast with Nadia Shireen, The Island of Brilliant!, celebrating writing and illustration for children of all ages.

He lives in Merseyside with his family.

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