The Cafe on Callisto
 Jackie French

Koala Books
2001

112p., pbk., 10.95

Science Fiction

 Zap, wham, pow!

Jackie rockets into space this time with her latest novel:
Café on Callisto. This book is not to be missed. It will tantalize your taste buds and make you wonder; what is wrong with a café on Callisto? We zoom into the very different life of Sam, who has a food crazy dad and a love for food. Her adventures take us to meet ultra-friendly people, disgusting space gloop and space travel as she has the a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swap to Callisto...

If you are a big eater and want to know what the world will be like 1000 years from now, I highly recommend this book for you. You won't stop turning the pages, ignore your mum and keep reading! This book is another of Jackie's entertaining masterpieces. A first rate, gripping novel

Jackie French has done it again!

Reviewer : Charlotte , 11 ACT

 
This story begins in the future, on Earth, where everyone lives underground, there are no windows and tomatoes are hard and tasteless, a life that Samdolyn (Sam) is used to.

But Sam's dad isn't. He has a yearning for the old life, where you lived in a house, there were windows, and food was grown by sunlight, not ArtiGlow.  It's Sam's dad's lucky day when someone on Callisto, a planet like Earth used to be, where people love their food, wants to trade his place on Callisto, where he owns the only cafe on Callisto, for a place on Earth.

Sam's dad jumps at the opportunity and in next to no time they're on a 3-month trip through space to Callisto.

They are warmly greeted at the arrival terminal by masses of friendly people, all trying to literally shove food down their throats. Well, the net was right, people on Callisto do love their food.

Then, when Sam and her dad go to open their cafe, Sam realises this could all be a big mistake! I mean who would want to go out and buy food when everyone was trying to force feed you their grandma's recipe for meatloaf or an apple teacake fresh from their oven?

I liked this book because it is a fun book and the descriptive words draw the reader in and make them stay there. Once I picked up this book I couldn't put it down. I think kids about 9-13 would enjoy this book the most and I would definitely recommend it. I liked the way in which the book gave you an insight into how the future might be and the way Jackie described everything made you feel like you were the one being force fed slice and quiche!

Rosie, 12, Sydney

 

 

June 2001