Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

Scott Harrison wakes up one night to find several alien faces peering at him through his locked window. An unusual sequence of events follows as they unsuccessfully try to gain entry to his home. He pays little attention to the incident, choosing instead to focus on his love interest, Christina. He discovers more about that first visit than meets the eye when a different set of aliens warns him about impending danger: Scott must prepare for the arrival of Zarco, an ancient being hellbent on settling a grudge with him. The only weapons he can muster are his wits, and the assistance of Christina, his brother Brett, and his new extra-terrestrial allies. Only time will tell if he succeeds in James Schwartz's Star People: Mystery of the Hologram.

In Star People, James Schwartz uses vivid character development and thought-provoking dialogue to bring this adventure to life. He weaves a compelling mystery that will appeal to readers while creating an entertaining narrative around the commotion that frequently accompanies possible sightings of unidentified flying objects. Scott's skill with technology and his entertaining antics with his brother Brett perfectly depict a realistic family dynamic. His conversations with Christina and her inner thoughts hint at a gradually developing romantic subplot. Readers will judge whether Zarco is the antagonist of this intricate plot after reading the explanation of his origin story. The story moves steadily and contains many humorous moments. However, what sets Star People apart is how Schwartz incorporates educational allusions to Rapa Nui's Moai and ancient Egyptian lore into the story, allowing young readers to enjoy skillful storytelling while learning something new about Earth's history. Schwartz deserves plaudits for crafting a beautiful narrative that will appeal to all readers.