Troy's Amazing Universe: A for Alien

By S. Kennedy Tosten

     Sharon Kennedy Tosten started a love letter to her son Troy in Troy's Amazing Universe: M for Mall. Seven-year-old Troy Tomler, a fictional version of Tosten's son, is smaller than the other children and has speech difficulties. Like many kids who are different, he has a special wisdom that often eludes adults such as his parents, who feud over his care. Seeing ourselves through the eyes of our children is often humbling, because we think we know everything. This is the case with Troy's parents, but they and Troy are about to get a lesson from the stars.

     Troy and his father Ron are abducted by aliens to a planet where the future of Earth, and several other civilizations, hinges on the outcome of the All-Galaxy Olympics, an alien reality show. The aliens view Earthlings the way we do kids like Troy: damaged. The aliens have a plan to rid the galaxy of all imperfection. Cue "Star Trek"/"Outer Limits" theme music. Troy's story gives us insights into our own imperfect but determined human race as Troy and his father must work together to save Earth and return home. No easy task, since to Ron, Troy might as well be speaking an alien language. However, a miraculous red ball, similar to the Star Trek Universal Translator, helps father and son communicate clearly for the first time. Ron reveals to us and to Troy that he doesn't want his "imperfect" son recycled.

     Gentle adult humor abounds in this tale. When alien kids mysteriously disappear after getting injured, Ron asks the aliens, "Where are [the kids'] mothers?"

     "What do they need mothers for?"

     "Because they're the ones that worry!"

     Another cute exchange: Ron wants to leave the planet because the aliens "are all perfect here, and I don't want to be perfect!" Troy, thanks to the translator ball, says, "Mommy wants you to." Ron replies, "I didn't know you were so funny."

     Troy is marvelously funny, brave, filled with wonder and able to make friends easily. Kids and adults alike can cheer for Troy as he makes the universe a truly amazing place.