“Danger, Will Robinson!”: Books For Young Fans Of Lost in Space
This past summer, the spaces of my house echoed the theme song to Lost in Space, the 2018 Netflix reboot of the 1965 show of the same name. Recently this has become my child’s favorite show, so it has been watched Every. Single. Day. If you are of an older generation like me you may well remember growing up watching the Robinsons finagle their way out of any number of tight spots (usually caused by the tricky Dr. Smith) with their faithful family robot in tow. Well Dr. Smith is still at it, and while there are robots, they are not quite what you’d expect from the original.
The 2018 version has lost the camp of the 1965 series but makes up for that loss in bigger and definitely better ways. Amazingly realistic special effects are a key feature in every episode, accompanied by much more dire, indeed life-threatening situations. But it’s the relationships that really pull the viewer in and this is where the show truly excels.
With an ethnically diverse cast, an accurate representation of a modern, blended family, and complexly nuanced characters the Lost In Space reboot (as well as its second season and yet-to-be-released third) delivers a realistic, fast-paced, emotion-driven and oft times heart-wrenching journey that would appeal to any extraterrestrial adventurer. Earth’s inhabitants must leave the planet following an impact event to colonize elsewhere? Sure. Alien robots then pursue and try to annihilate them en route to the colonists’ destination? But of course. In their attempt to escape this invasion the Robinson family crash lands on a foreign, habitable planet hoping to reconvene with their fellow survivors amidst very real dangers? Absolutely. In the reimagined realm of Lost in Space not only is all of this possible but very plausible. Let’s face it, it’s tough to find good family television out there and this show completely fits that bill.
So, for young fans of the series (or old), and for those of you who have yet to discover it, here’s a list of recommended children’s reads reminiscent of the Robinsons’ adventures. All of these titles are available through the Library's print and e-book collections.
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
The inspiration for the original 1965 series. In this 1812 classic a family of Swiss immigrants en route to Australia are caught in a storm and marooned on an uninhabited island. With nothing but human ingenuity and resources from the shipwreck they learn to build a new life for themselves.
Lost in Outer Space: The Incredible Journey of Apollo 13 by Tod Olson
“Houston, we’ve had a problem.” When an explosion aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft blows their power and vents the oxygen supply into outer space, three astronauts headed to the moon must abandon their mission and somehow get home to Earth. This nonfiction book for middle grade readers is a riveting account of the true events of April 13, 1970.
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Liam has always been big for his age. So big in fact that he is often mistaken for an adult. Tired of the constant mix up, Liam takes advantage of the situation by posing as his best friend’s father to win them a ride on a brand new theme park ride called The Rocket. Unfortunately The Rocket is mistakenly sent into orbit with Liam and four other kids on it. Being lost in space has never been so humorous as in this exciting tale from an award winning writer.
Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot by Dav Pilkey
So no one actually seems to be lost in space here, but there is a really cool robot. Ricky, a mostly solitary mouse of small stature, longs for a friend. Frequent encounters with school bullies make him long for a best friend even more. He soon finds one in the unlikeliest of places—a giant robot created by the evil mastermind, Dr. Stinky, who is commanded to destroy their city. The first installment sees the duo fighting off school bullies, and mad scientists but subsequent titles have them taking on a variety of intergalactic menaces intent on taking over the planet. A graphic-rich book for younger readers that has now become a children’s classic.
Sci-Fu by Yehudi Mercado
From the streets of Brooklyn to the far distant corners of the universe with a mean hip-hop soundtrack to boot. Welcome to the 1980s. In his quest to scratch the perfect beat, Wax is targeted by a UFO which carries him, his friends and his entire apartment building off to a distant planet populated by trouble-making robots. Wax must quickly learn the art of Sci-Fu, a mash up of martial arts and music, as the future of Planet Earth hangs in the balance. Vibrant illustrations, funny rap battles, and awesome fight sequences make this graphic novel an intergalactic odyssey not to be missed.
Cakes in Space by Philip Reeve
There is no such thing as too much cake, until there quite literally is. Astra’s family is part of an intergalactic space colonization mission to a planet so far away it takes 199 years to reach. That’s a long time for a kid with the munchies to be in a cryogenic sleeping pod without some kind of midnight snack. So before bedtime Astra programs the ship's Nom-O-Tron 9000 Food Synthesizer to create the ultimate cake, one “so delicious it’s scary.” Further hijinks ensue aboard a spacecraft overrun with menacing, sentient desserts, and it’s up to Astra and her friendly robot sidekick to put things right in this light-hearted, silly space romp.
Space Taxi: Archie Takes Flight by Wendy Mass
For eight years, eight months, and eight days Archie Morningstar has anxiously waited to accompany his cabbie father on “Take Your Kid to Work Day.” One can imagine Archie’s surprise to discover that his dad’s taxi cab is really a space taxi, transporting all sorts of alien lifeforms across the universe and back again. Our young hero quickly discovers he has a knack for navigating from the co-pilot’s seat. Zany adventures ensue after a fare turns out to be a wanted criminal on the run. Add in a crime-fighting cat, an evil mastermind, and the universe’s biggest threat, a crime ring called B.U.R.P., and you’ve got a fun, wacky series perfect for young readers moving on to chapter books.
Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
What child can resist pushing a giant red button? That’s exactly what our heroine, Zita, does when she and her best friend find one inside a giant meteoroid that has crashed to Earth. Only, the red button calls forth an alien that abducts Zita’s best friend. Now it’s up to Zita to rescue him on this fun, intergalactic journey involving ancient prophecies, an alien doomsday cult, and extraterrestrial lifeforms—lots of extraterrestrial lifeforms.
Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick
The underachiever in a family of overachievers, D.J. has never felt especially good at anything. That all changes when a mysterious boy clad in only silver underwear crash lands on Earth with no memory of who he is or where he’s come from. Now D.J., his best friend Gina and their amnesiac new friend must discover his secret identity whilst defending our planet from sinister alien monsters intent on attacking it. Maybe being an ordinary kid isn’t so bad after all?
The Iron Giant by Ted Hughes, illustrated by Laura Carlin
After crash landing on Earth a mysterious giant robot puts himself back together and starts feeding on the tractors and farming equipment in a small agricultural community. He is soon befriended by a small boy named Hogarth who introduces him to the fine cuisine of the local scrapyard. But when a Space-Bat-Angel-Dragon as large as Australia threatens the planet, it is time for the Iron Giant to truly shine. Originally published in 1968 this is a book with a heart-felt message that can be enjoyed on many levels.
Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.
Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!
Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.