Thacher Hurd's new middle grade novel, his first, is Bongo Fishing, a warm and funny story about friendly aliens, old cars, crazy gadgets and a wild chase across the Nevada desert near Area 51. Jason Jameson's life will never be the same after he meets Sam and Edna from the Pleiades. Not to mention a weird psychiatrist named Dr. Zimburger who is interested in UFOs, and a cat named Sputnik who gets the blue measles..

EXCERPT

Jason's mind was racing and his mother's words rang in his ears:

"Don't talk to strangers!"

This was definitely a stranger.

He tried to think of something to say, but nothing would come out of the rush of his thoughts. Standing at attention, he blurted,

"Alien! I come in peace!" in a high, scared-sounding voice.
The small man burst out laughing, his eyes twinkling..."Hey kid, that's my line. I come in peace. You live here."