When 9-year-old Edwin, whose curiosity was always encouraged, sneaks out of the house to investigate strange lights in the woods, his wildest dreams come true in Adventures of Edwin and Albert: The Missing Crystals by Mariah Sebastien and Atticus Sebastien. After taking his trusted survival lunchbox full of items that might come in handy in an emergency, Edwin creeps through the woods and comes across an alien spacecraft. In his excitement, Edwin enters the ship which takes off and a wonderful adventure begins.

In what appears to be a greenhouse type of room, Edwin meets an alien who immediately offers friendship with the help of a universal translator. This newcomer, Albert, also happens to be a child and the two boys become immediate friends. Although Edwin’s presence on the ship is a big surprise, he is welcomed by the adults who promise to take him back home right after reporting to the Mother Ship and the Queen. That mission is not as simple as it sounds, and between pirates, the eventual return home and the questions his parents have, more adventure is on the way.

Mariah Sebastien and her son, Atticus Sebastien, have co-authored an amazing children’s adventure story involving space travel and desperate attempts to save a dying planet. Adventures of Edwin and Albert: The Missing Crystals is filled with likeable characters and plenty of action, so you are easily drawn into the story and will want to keep reading to find out what happens next. Valuable, though not very subtle, lessons are presented throughout the reading, but are perfect teaching/learning opportunities for children to discuss. Well done but with some editing issues, Adventures of Edwin and Albert: The Missing Crystals is a great first volume in what should be an interesting and worthwhile series.

Edwin is excited when he enters the spaceship for the last time in his 80 years in Adventures of Edwin and Albert: The Missing Crystals by Mariah Sebastien and Atticus Sebastien. His bedroom reflects someone who likes science and aliens, and it has rocket ships on the walls and planets hanging from the ceiling. Edwin had fallen asleep while reading a space adventure book and a bright light wakes him up. He creeps into the woods, curious to discover the source of the light. To his surprise, he finds an alien spacecraft in the clearing. The aliens tell Edwin that they are peaceful, loving creatures who are on a mission to save their planet, Sephari. They are on the lookout for crystals so that they can save their planet from dying. The ride on the spaceship takes Edwin back to the adventures in his life and puts him into a reminiscing and nostalgic mode. Will they find the crystals and will they be able to save Sephari?

This fantastical science fiction adventure will take young readers on an exciting and magical ride and keep them wanting more adventure and excitement. The detailed narration and descriptions make the scenes and the characters vivid, thereby making the story tangible to young readers. Edwin, Albert, and the rest of the characters in the story have been portrayed well. The fluidity in expression gives a good pace and movement to the story and will keep youngsters glued till the end. The friendship between Edwin and Albert is heartwarming, and their adventures together make the story special and memorable; both to them and to readers.