This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
5 Minutes for Books managing editor Jennifer Donovan is thrilled to share this sponsored giveaway. Samples & prizing are provided by Disney Publishing.
I woke up early one Saturday — too early — thanks to my dog. I had finished one book the night before, so I was ready to start a new one. Knowing this deadline was coming up, I picked up this middle grade chapter book, Gabby Duran and the Unsittables. I was taken by it right away. I loved Gabby’s kind heart and dry wit and fearless courage. The unique storyline made me laugh and think, “Hmmm, what if there are aliens among us?”
As an adult reader of middle grade fiction, I am often stuck when I go to review a book. Sometimes I’m a bit too smart for the plot, which is fine, because I’m a good 30 years older than the intended audience. I have to ask myself if the predictability is due to a simplistic style or if it’s just me, and it’s truly right on target for the tweens who will be reading it.
In this case, I was delighted by the story and the pacing and the humor. I think that I enjoyed it just as much as the intended audience will. I can’t wait to share this book with my 11-year-old bookworm son as well as my not-so-keen-on-reading 10-year-old niece. I think they’ll book like it.
The layout of the book, with a fun border around each page, drew my eye to the page and will make the book more appealing, especially to those who don’t think that books are fun and beautiful just the way they are.
It seems that this is set up to be a series, and I’ll definitely be checking out future installments.
About the book
The Association Linking Intergalatics and Earthlings (hereby known as A.L.I.E.N.) has a new member. After months of investigation, Gabby Duran, Associate 4118-25125A, has proven herself to be a babysitter extraordinaire. Her celebrity clients fly her around the country to care for their rambunctious little humans. Our spy, Associate 4118-23432B, otherwise known as Edwina, believes Gabby can be trusted with the truth: aliens are living among humans on Earth. And here at A.L.I.E.N we believe that even extraterrestrials need a babysitter now and then. No one was up to the task…until now.
After accepting the top-secret position, Edwina has paired our new associate up with her first charge, a little girl from the planet Flarknartia. The timing for associate 4118-25125A is less than ideal. It’s a school day on Planet Earth, Gabby’s audition for the solo part in the band is tonight, and this tiny alien is a bit more than meets the eye.
Can Gabby Duran, Associate 4118-25125A, First Sitter to the Unsittables, keep her otherworldly charge safe in the unpredictable halls of middle-school and keep A.L.I.E.N hidden?
Available May 12, 2015 online and in stores.
Learn more at the Official Site
Follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter
Follow Elise Allen & Daryle Conners on Twitter
#GabbyDuran
About the authors
Emmy-nominated writer and New York Times best-selling author Elise Allen made a name for herself with her acclaimed young adult novel Populazzi (Harcourt), and the Jim Henson’s Enchanted Sisters chapter books (Bloomsbury). In television, she has written for talent ranging from Bill Cosby to Kermit the Frog, and is currently writing for the new Disney Junior show The Lion Guard. Her dog may or may not secretly be from another planet.
Daryle Conners is an award-winning writer, filmmaker and video game designer. She writes joke and riddle books and has designed many game titles for the PC and iPhone/iPad including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Scene It? Harry Potter, Hot Wheels Slot Car Racers, and Scene It? Twilight Saga. Her non-fiction books include Lunchtime LOLZ, Nintendo DS Hot Tips, ROFLs, Video Game Secrets and Monster High Jokes, all for Scholastic. Daryle lives in Seattle, where she still babysits from time to time.
Julie says
I’d share this book with my kids!
rachel cartucci says
I would love to share this book with my son and niece!
Julie Smith says
My grandbebes love Gigi Storytime, so this book would go into the lineup for them 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
clynsg says
I would share it with my granddaughter.
Jaime says
I would share it with my nephew.
rosemary says
wow
Melanie Montgomery says
I’d share with my niece.
Breanne says
I’d like to share this with my niece.
Kim Keithline says
I would share this book with my grandchildren
Nicole C. says
I would love to share this book with my niece!
Bebe says
My neighbor has two children who would love to read the book! 🙂
Brian E. says
Thank You for the giveaway… my goddaughter would love this book; she “devours” books !
Donna K says
with my daughter
Danielle Marie says
i think my niece would really like this book.
Gabrielle Danz says
I would share it with my daughter 😀
Stephanie Galbraith says
I would like to share it with my kids.
Trisha McKee says
I’d love to share with my daughter.
Sand says
i would share this book with my nephew.
CharityS says
My son would love this book.
Susan Smith says
I would love to read this to my daughter
Cindy says
I would share it with our nephew.
golden storm says
i would share it with my nephews
Melissa C says
I’d share this fun book with my oldest son who’s 9
Theresa Smith says
I would share it with my granddaughter. She would be so happy.
liz l says
My coworkers!
Laura B says
i would share this with my son!
wen budro says
I would share this with my kids. It looks like something that they would enjoy.
Lesley F says
I would share with my granddaughter
Tammy Shelton says
I would share it with my granddaughter.
brandy c says
I’d share it with my friend’s son.
Donna Teller says
I would love to share this book with my niece, I think she would love it.
Stephanie Larison says
I would share it with my oldest daughter.
Jesse S says
I would share this with my nephew Cris. Thanks for the giveaway!
richelle bowers says
share with my daughter
Melissa Mazzur says
I would love to share with my daughters!
Lisa V. says
I would share with my niece.
Jennifer Barr says
my daughter
laurie murley says
my cousin would love to have this book
Shirley Hicks says
share with my grandaughter
Kim H says
I would share with my sisiter
ReggieMann says
I would share the book with my niece
Kimberley Thomas says
I love to read with my grandkids! Actually they read to me , how sweet is that ?
Julie L says
I’d share this book with my niece!
Stephanie Shipley says
I would like to share this fun book with my son!
Erika JM says
i would share this book with my child.
Erica B. says
with my daughter.
Jennifer Hess says
My 2 teenage daughters!
Angela Saver says
I would love to share this book with my niece!
tina reynolds says
I would love this for my daughter
Aimee F says
My 9 year old daughter would love this. She’s a big reader and this book sounds perfect for her.
Anissa says
I’d share it with both of my kids.
Paula Michele Hafner says
I would share this with my son if I won. He would love it.
Melissa says
i think my friends kid would love this! 🙂
Megan Scharlau says
I’d share it with my roommate!
Meagan says
I would share this with my sister!
lissa crane says
I would love to share this with my daughter! She is the perfect age and would really enjoy it!
velder dixon says
share with my sister
Birdiebee says
I would share the book with my youngest granddaughter.
Howard G. says
I would share this with my grandson.
Juana Esparza says
I would share this story with my 9 yr old niece.
Sharon Underwood says
I’d share with my daughter
Lindsey L says
With my nephew!
Dorrie Turner says
I would love to share this book with my imaginative daughter!
DeAnna Keller says
I would share it with my daughter.
Dino says
Everyone I know!
Jill Rivera says
I would be sharing with my niece.
Kelly M says
My little sister
JIll H says
I would share this book with my granddaughter.
Trisha Burgess says
I’ll be sharing with my son and daughter!
Katie | FashionFrugality.com says
I would share this with my friend’s daughter!
Cori Westphal says
I think both of my kids would enjoy reading this!
Stacy says
I would give it to my niece, she would love it
Sarah Cool says
I would love to share this with my niece natalie, she will love it!
sandra says
with my sisters
sharon h says
I would love to share this book with my Mother!
PaigeP says
I would share this book with my niece, Mallory. She would love it!
Julie Murphy says
I would share with the grandkids and kids.
vera says
I’d share it with my niece.
Dreama says
I would share this book with my little sister 🙂
bn100 says
mom
Dave L says
This sounds like a book my middle nephew will enjoy. Thank you for the chance to win!
doug gerard says
I’d share it with Dolly Parton
Linda G. says
I would share this book with my grandson. He would really love reading this.
Robin says
I would love to share the book with my son.
Jessica M. says
I would like to share this book with my cousin and her son!
Kazuko Smith says
I would love to share with my best-friend’s little brother.
ANGEL JACKLYN says
MY NEICE WOULD LOVE IT!
cheryl w says
I’d share it with my son. He’d enjoy it.
Mary Cloud says
I would share this book with my daughter
Tracy Robertson says
I want to share this with the developmentally disabled adults that I work with. Most of them can read just a little, and need childrens books for practice.
Megan Henn says
My Nephew!
Maria B says
I will share this book with my niece.
Leigh Anne Borders says
I would share it with my students and personal children.
Dan Denman says
I would share this with my son.
sarah k says
I would share it with my neighbor’s children.
Laticha A says
my kids
Tracy Melhinch says
My nephew would get a kick out of this book! I would share with him
Christy says
I would share this with my 8 year old daughter.
Carol Throckmorton says
I would share it with my son.
Lasonda says
I would share with my daughter.
Pamela Gurganus says
I would like to share this fun book with my youngest niece.
Denise S says
I would share this with my grandson.
pu ye says
I would share this with my nephew
Laurie says
I follow on twitter with @yourpilgrim the form will not let me put that account in and registers my @yourpilgrim123 account which is maxed so I also follow on tweet deck with that account
Soha MOlina says
With my sister.
Tracy C. says
My daughter
Tish W. says
I would share this with my nephews and niece. I’m sure they would love this!
Jenny Q. says
I would share this with my son. I think he would enjoy it!
katherine says
With my son, James
Kelly Nicholson says
With whom would you like to share this fun book?
nobody i can think off..me myself and i..thanks
breanna pollard says
I would love to share this with my niece!
Sara says
Id give it to our receptionist as a pick me up/treat
JanD says
I would share it with my young cousins.
Tiffany S says
I would share it with my niece.
Daniel Thornton says
I would like to share the book with my mom.
David says
My girl.
Laura J says
I would love to share it with my grandson!
Kari Bundy says
My daughter and I would love to read this book!!
Wendy Caddy says
I’d share this with my grandchildren.
Samantha Daleo says
I would love to share it with my daughter.
al says
My grandniece
Tina W says
I think my nephew Ayden would love this book.
Daniel M says
would be for my nephew!
Petra Huffmire says
I’d share it with my friend’s daughter
Angelica says
I’d share this with my friend’s 11 year old. He’s into sci-fi too but a lot of the books are a little too, ahem, advanced for him. (and by advanced I mean wildly inappropriate. Lol.)
Sharon Kaminski says
I would share this with our granddaughter.
Linda Lansford says
I will share with my son
james doyle says
My sister 🙂 Thanks!
Natalie says
I would like to share this fun book with my niece.
Tracey byram says
My granddaughter would enjoy this book.
Seyma Shabbir says
I would share with my sons!
Katie says
I would share with my son and daughter.
Kristie says
I’m sure my daughter would enjoy it! 🙂
Kristi C says
I think this would be a great book for my niece.
ken ohl says
my little niece would love this
Linda Bradshaw says
I will share with my kids. I am sure they will enjoy it.
DebP says
The grandkids , hope they like it.
Brandy says
I would share it with my 9 year old nephew.
Candice says
I would like to share this with my nephew.
Merry says
I would share this with my sweet niece
Danielle D says
my nephew
Natalie U says
I would give it to my grandson to read
Judy Schechter says
I would give it to my very pregnant friend, thanks!
kyl neusch says
my niece
Jen Haile says
I would share it with my son.
Lana Bradstream says
I would share with my daughter
Laurie says
I would share this with my neighbor.
kelly g says
I’d share it with my 6yrold
Tiffany Banks says
I would share it with my daughter!
Jalisa Brown says
I would share this with my niece!
Anita Mitchell says
I would share with my grand children.
Shane R. says
I’d share it with my friend who has kids.
Sarah hayes says
Id share with my daughter
shirley says
I would share with the girls.
Jessica T says
My son <3
Karen Deva says
I would share this book with my son.
Ron Miller says
a niece of mine!
Marty C. says
My stepdaughter
Rona Berry-Morin says
I would share it with our friend’s daughter.
Ashley C says
I would give it to my niece and nephew!
amy williams says
I would share this with my boys they would love it!
Crystal F says
I would share it with my daughter. Thank you!!
Idaho Jill says
I would love this book for my 8 year old daughter, thanks!
Barbara Platt says
my granddaughter
PuffyBiggles says
I would like to share this fun book with my daughter. Thanks for the giveaway!
Jeanna says
I would share this with my son!
Cathy Truman says
I would like to share it with my nephew.
heather s says
My nephew would love this
Wehaf says
My oldest nephew would love this.
Whitney says
I Would read this with my niece!
Cheryl says
I’d like to share this fun book with my niece.
anne says
I would Share this with my grandchildren. Thanks.
Brittney House says
I would like to share it with my niece.
Kathleen says
I would share with my daughter.
kport207 at gmail dot com
Heather B says
I would love to read this with my youngest son!
Betty S says
I would love to share this with my niece
Mary Jacobowitz says
I would share it with my niece.
Susan Christy says
I would give this to my niece so she can read it to her kids.
Debbi Wellenstein says
I would like to share this with my grandson.
Nancy says
I’d share this with our family if I won.
Jennifer Rote says
I would like to share this fun book with my grandson.
Thomas Murphy says
I would share it with my son.
Bridgett Wilbur says
I would love to share this with my daughter. I think she would really enjoy it.
Ann Fantom says
My daughter would love this book
trisha kilpatrick says
I would love to read this to my nieces. They would love it.
Amanda Sakovitz says
I would share this with my niece!
Cynthia C says
This would be perfect for my nephew.
nickie says
I would share this book with my niece
Suzanne King says
I would share this with my kids. Thanks for the opportunity.
jill rivera says
I would share it with my best friend and try to finish it on the beach.
samantha wagner says
I think my son would enjoy this book
Rosanne Morrison says
I have a 9 year old granddaughter who would love it
shelly peterson says
I would share these with my son.
Geoff K says
I’d share this with my niece, who loves sci-fi and alien-themed movies and books!
harolde says
I would like to share it with my granddaughter.
Margaret Smith says
I’d like to read this to my sons.
Sandy Klocinski says
I would like to share it with my niece’s daughter
Sarah Hall says
I would share it with my grandson.
vickie Couturier says
id share this with my teenage grandaughter
Sarah Jestings says
My 10 year old love to read so I would share it with him 🙂
Jamie Brigham says
My teenage daughter would love to read this book.
Adrienne Gordon says
with my daughter
amyc says
I would share the book with my son and daughter.
meagan bs says
i’d share it with my daughter.
Tabathia B says
I would share with my daughters
Kelly D says
I would share this with my daughter.
Kimmy Ripley says
My daughter would love it!
Kristen says
I’d like to share this with my niece.
Dawn Monroe says
I think my 12 year old niece would enjoy this book.
Janet W. says
I’d like to share this fun book with my grandson!
Barbara Montag says
I would share this book with my tween grand daughter.
thank yout
Terra Heck says
I’d like to share this with my 6 yoa niece. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Tammy Woodall says
I would like to share this book with my niece. She would love it.
Ellie Wright says
I would love to win this for my little grandson.
Latanya says
I would share with my son
Stephanie Davis says
It seems like a great book for my daughter to enjoy!
Lauren says
I would share this book with my daughter.
Linda says
I’d share it with my granddaughters.
steve weber says
I would love to share this with my nieces and nephew.
David Fultner says
I always need entertainment for my niece.
Mami2jcn says
I’d like to share it with my sons.
Jessica To says
I would share it with my son.
Jessie C. says
I would like to share this fun book with my kids.
Denise M says
sounds like a fun one for my daughter
Dawn says
I bet my nine-year-old daughter would adore this!
Elena says
I would share it with my son.
jim zahorian says
my mom