Books like 'Close Encounters of the Nerd Kind'
Readers who enjoyed Close Encounters of the Nerd Kind by Kim Harrington also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
sc-fi action / adventure survival ai aliens children friendship
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Captain Caveman by Jerry Boyd
Rated: 4.59 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsBob and the crew are off to deliver a shipload of lost property to its rightful owners. What dangers, seen and unseen, will they find at this lost colony? Will there be new crew members, waiting to be found? Find out in Bob and Nikki’s latest adventure... -
![Not Till We Are Lost by Dennis E. Taylor, Ray Porter]()
Not Till We Are Lost by Dennis E. Taylor, Ray Porter
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe number one best-selling series that Audible listeners call “wonderfully entertaining”, “packed with humor, geek references and thought-provoking storylines”, and performed by “a true master story teller and actor” returns as the Bobs face their deadliest challenge yet... -
![Overworld in Flames: Herobrine?s Revenge Book Two (A Gameknight999 Adventure): An Unofficial Minecrafter?s Adventure by Mark Cheverton]()
Overworld in Flames: Herobrine?s Revenge Book Two (A Gameknight999 Adventure): An Unofficial Minecrafter?s Adventure by Mark Cheverton
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMysterious fires are burning the Overworld to the ground!The NPCs of Minecraft barely had time to celebrate their victory over the spider queen and the king of the skeletons before terrible new crimes broke the hard-earned peace. Inexplicable fires are breaking out under mysterious circumstances, the flames destroying more and more land with every tick of the CPU... -
![Shaved Ape Key by Jerry Boyd]()
Shaved Ape Key by Jerry Boyd
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhat do you do when you can’t give away a space carrier? Learn to be the best captain you can. If one of your most loyal bots has unfinished business, you have to send him out to finish it up, don’t you? Come along as Bob faces his new responsibilities as captain of the B. S. Gene Cernan. And don’t forget to sing along...“There’s room for you, and there’s room for me... -
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![Starfoot by Jerry Boyd]()
Starfoot by Jerry Boyd
Rated: 4.53 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsAre Jim and Molly okay? John’s old friend Steve needs help. Can the crew take care of his problem? Can he help with some of their problems? Bob gets caught, loading a saucer. Will it mean big trouble, or a new crew member? Max finds marooned saucers on the Moon... -
![Alice: The Girl From Earth by Kir Bulychev]()
Alice: The Girl From Earth by Kir Bulychev
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA translation of Девочка с Земли into English... -
![Flynn's Log 1: Rescue Island (Stone Marshall's Flynn's Log) by Stone Marshall]()
Flynn's Log 1: Rescue Island (Stone Marshall's Flynn's Log) by Stone Marshall
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIf you lived in Minecraft, would you survive? Follow Flynn on a journey through Minecraft filled with trouble and danger as he battles spiders, skeletons, zombies, and creepers.Flynn’s memory is hazy. He wakes up in a strange world and faces two huge surprises... First, his body has transformed. He is no longer a human. He is a Minecraft character! Second, he is totally alone... -
![Clone Crisis by S.H. Jucha]()
Clone Crisis by S.H. Jucha
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Sisterhood’s dangerous militarist sect finds a foothold in a broad swath of space inhabited by the descendants of Earth’s fourth colony ship, Destiny. They’re welcomed by the mining corporations, whose leaders see unbridled opportunity in the sisters’ advanced tech.Five powerful corporations own six mining planets... -
![Whammo Ranch by Jerry Boyd]()
Whammo Ranch by Jerry Boyd
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsA saucer comes in damaged, with sick people aboard. A deadly plague threatens Earth. Can Bob and his crew save the day? Will Bob's good nature cost him his life? Julie's boss wants to retire. Can she handle running the restaurant? Can Bob find her the help she needs? Dee has come down with a terrible case of pedestrianism... -
![The Shores Beyond Time by Kevin Emerson]()
The Shores Beyond Time by Kevin Emerson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe conclusion to Kevin Emerson’s epic, which Tui Sutherland, New York Times bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series, has called “perfect science fiction.”It is Earth year 2256—but the fate of the few who even remember Earth is perilously in doubt... -
![Phoenix by S.F. Said]()
Phoenix by S.F. Said
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA boy with unprecedented power must turn to the terrifying Alien enemies of humanity to discover his true nature and bring peace to a galaxy at war.Lucky lives a relatively normal life on a remote moon of the planet Aries One, safe from the turmoil and devastation of the interstellar war between Humans and Aliens... -
![Randoms by David Liss]()
Randoms by David Liss
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA science fiction superfan finds himself on his very own space adventure when he’s randomly selected to join an alien confederacy in this hilarious middle grade debut novel.Zeke Reynolds comes from a long line of proud science fiction geeks. He knows his games, comics, movies, and TV shows like Captain Kirk knows the starship Enterprise... -
![E. T. - The Extra-Terrestrial by William Kotzwinkle]()
E. T. - The Extra-Terrestrial by William Kotzwinkle
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsBased on the screenplay by Melissa Mathison.What do you do when you're lost, millions of miles from home, surrounded by frightening creatures?You do what the Old Botanist did when he was accidentally left behind on Earth. First you find a friend..Categorized as:
aliens children friendship action-adventure book children-books classics contemporary -
![Three's a Crowd! by Ray O'Ryan]()
Three's a Crowd! by Ray O'Ryan
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsZack finds out that two best friends are better than one in this chapter book adventure.Zack is thrilled when he finds out that his best friend on Earth, Bert Jones, is going to visit him on Nebulon. Zack can’t wait to show Bert around the new planet, as well as his new school. But when Bert meets Drake, Zack’s best friend on Nebulon, some jealousy starts to brew... -
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![Monsters in Space! by Ray O'Ryan]()
Monsters in Space! by Ray O'Ryan
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsZack learns that appearances aren’t everything when he has an up-close-and-personal monster encounter in this chapter book adventure.Zack is shocked when he goes to school one day and finds a monster in his seat! Who/what is this creature? At first Zack is scared, but he soon finds that this monster, Al, is kind and friendly... -
![A Green Christmas! by Ray O'Ryan, Colin Jack]()
A Green Christmas! by Ray O'Ryan, Colin Jack
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLet it snow! Christmas is just a couple days away, and Zack can't wait to go back to Earth and have a white Christmas in Vermont. But with a cosmic storm in the forecast, the Nelsons have to cancel their travel plans and spend Christmas on their new home planet. Zack is really upset ... until the storm hits and green flakes start falling from the sky. Could they be .. -
![The Seventh Element by Wendy Mass]()
The Seventh Element by Wendy Mass
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe action is on the page, on your device, and out of this world! This multiplatform series is part sci-fi, all action-adventure. And you don't have long to wait—six books are coming all in one year! Earth is in danger! The only thing that can save our planet are six essential elements that can fuse into a new source of clean energy. But the elements are scattered throughout the galaxy...Categorized as:
children survival action-adventure audiobook book children-books fiction middle-grade -
![Ben Archer and the Cosmic Fall (The Alien Skill Series, Book 1) by Rae Knightly]()
Ben Archer and the Cosmic Fall (The Alien Skill Series, Book 1) by Rae Knightly
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA BOY WITH AN ALIEN POWER.“The thing is, it wasn’t meteors that fell into the woods that night. It was alien spacecraft.”THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS 2019 SILVER MEDAL WINNER - AUTHOR ACADEMY AWARDS 2019 FINALIST.When UFOs crash into the fields next to his grandfather’s house, twelve-year-old Ben Archer becomes a cumbersome witness in the eyes of the government...Categorized as:
aliens children friendship survival action-adventure book children-books coming-of-age -
![The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky]()
The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAmbassador, you are go for launch in T- minus 5…4…3…2…. Get ready to blast off with this high-action, high-stakes middle grade adventure that’s perfect for fans of Chris Grabenstein and Peter Lerangis!Miranda Regent can’t believe she was just chosen as one of six kids from around the world to train for the first ever mission to Mars... -
![Lights on Wonder Rock by David Litchfield]()
Lights on Wonder Rock by David Litchfield
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHeather wants more than anything to go to outer space, where the stars sparkle with magic and wonder. When a UFO lands behind her house and she meets a friendly alien, it seems that all of her dreams have come true. But soon her new friend has to return home...Categorized as:
aliens children friendship action-adventure book children-books coming-of-age family -
![The Smeds and the Smoos by Julia Donaldson]()
The Smeds and the Smoos by Julia Donaldson
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSoar into space with this glorious love story of alien folk, from the creators of The Gruffalo and Stick Man . The Smeds (who are red) never mix with the Smoos (who are blue). So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love, their families strongly disapprove. But peace is restored and love conquers all in this happiest of love stories... -
![Earth Force Rising by Monica Tesler]()
Earth Force Rising by Monica Tesler
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThirteen years ago, Earth Force—a space-military agency—discovered a connection between brain structure and space travel. Now they’ve brought together the first team of cadets, called Bounders, to be trained as high-level astronauts.Twelve-year-old Jasper is part of this team being sent out into space... -
![The Oceans Between Stars by Kevin Emerson]()
The Oceans Between Stars by Kevin Emerson
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt is Earth year 2223, but the Earth, along with the entire solar system, is gone... -
![Cog by Greg Van Eekhout]()
Cog by Greg Van Eekhout
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFive robots. One unforgettable journey. Their programming will never be the same. Cog looks like a normal twelve-year-old boy. But his name is short for “cognitive development,” and he was built to learn.But after an accident leaves him damaged, Cog wakes up in an unknown lab—and Gina, the scientist who created and cared for him, is nowhere to be found... -
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![Fallout by Chris Morphew]()
Fallout by Chris Morphew
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe time for pretending is over. The Shackleton Building has been turned into a concentration camp, and the last free people in Phoenix are forced into hiding. The fight is over unless Jordan and Luke can figure out where the Co-operative is hiding Tobias. And Jordan has to find a way to protect Luke before Peter rages out of control … or else history is doomed to repeat itself... -
![Fuzzies and Other People by H. Beam Piper]()
Fuzzies and Other People by H. Beam Piper
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThe friendship between human Jack Holloway and the small, golden-furred creatures of the planet Zarathustra has a profound impact on both Holloway and the Fuzzies... -
![The Fran with Four Brains by Jim Benton]()
The Fran with Four Brains by Jim Benton
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsGoosebumps and Bill Nye the Science Guy fans, meet Franny!Being a mad scientist in the modern world is very hard work. With so much that needs to be done in such a short period of time, multitasking can become overwhelming. Franny needs some additional help. But for Franny there is only one person in the world she trusts to help her with her experiments: herself... -
![The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers]()
The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhen a boy discovers a single-propeller airplane in his closet, he does what any young adventurer would do: He flies it into outer space! Millions of miles from Earth, the plane begins to sputter and quake, its fuel tank on empty. The boy executes a daring landing on the moon . . -
![Out of Time by Geronimo Stilton]()
Out of Time by Geronimo Stilton
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA thrilling quest through the past with Geronimo Stilton and his friends. Geronimo travels through time to Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Francis Drake, and a young Mozart...Categorized as:
children friendship children-books middle-grade sci-fi humor animals action-adventure -
![The Ark Plan by Laura Martin]()
The Ark Plan by Laura Martin
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsJurassic World meets Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in this epic new middle grade series full of heart-pounding action and breathtaking chills! "Amazing adventures!" raves Brightly.com as they recommend Edge of Extinction as a 2016 Holiday Gift for Tween Readers. One hundred and fifty years ago, the first dinosaurs were cloned. Soon after, they replaced humans at the top of the food chain... -
![The Star Wars Storybook by Geraldine Richelson, George Lucas]()
The Star Wars Storybook by Geraldine Richelson, George Lucas
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe intergalactic adventures of Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance as they battle the evil Imperial forces which have overthrown the Old Republic... -
![Doctor Who: The Also People by Ben Aaronovitch]()
Doctor Who: The Also People by Ben Aaronovitch
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings'Just how technologically advanced are they?' The Doctor frowned. 'Let me put it this way: they have a non-aggression pact with the Time Lords.'The Doctor has taken his companions to paradise, or at least the closest thing he can find. A sun enclosed by an artificial sphere where there is no want, poverty or violence... -
![The Prehistoric Planet by Ray O'Ryan]()
The Prehistoric Planet by Ray O'Ryan
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGalaxy Zack blasts back to the past in this outer space chapter book adventure!A baby pterosaur can’t find his way home, so it’s up to the Nebulon Navigators to return him to the Prehistoric Planet. And when Zack’s dad is invited on the journey, Zack finds a way to go along too! But as they blast off on the super shuttle, they hear a strange noise... -
![Gadget by Viola Grace]()
Gadget by Viola Grace
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGadget enjoys being a member of Guardian Transport, but when her mission is changed from transport to diplomatic escort, she adapts quickly... -
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![Infinity Riders by Kekla Magoon]()
Infinity Riders by Kekla Magoon
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe action is on the page, on your device, and out of this world! This multiplatform series is part sci-fi, all action-adventure. And you don’t have long to wait—six books are coming all in one year! Earth is in danger! The only things that can save our planet are six essential elements scattered throughout the galaxy...Categorized as:
children survival action-adventure audiobook book children-books fiction middle-grade -
![Scharlette Doesn't Matter and Goes Time Travelling by Sam Bowring]()
Scharlette Doesn't Matter and Goes Time Travelling by Sam Bowring
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEver since Scharlette’s parents gave her a name no one can really pronounce, she’s been stuck in a bit of a rut. She hates her job in airport security, making people take their belts off before they fly away to exotic locations she can only dream about... -
![Beyond Reach by Siobhan Davis]()
Beyond Reach by Siobhan Davis
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSOME SECRETS ARE WORTH FIGHTING FORBack on Earth, Ariana is caught in a dangerous crossfire between clandestine rebel organization Clementia and the power-hungry government. Refusing to divulge the location of the secret information entrusted to her by her late father, she desperately tries to bargain for her Mom, Lily, and Cal’s rescue. She’s fighting a losing battle, and the clock is ticking... -
![Bolo Brigade by William H. Keith Jr., Keith Laumer]()
Bolo Brigade by William H. Keith Jr., Keith Laumer
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSEMPER BOLOFreddy and Ferdy were obsolete, which was why they'd been stationed on the planet Muir as part of a defense treaty between the Strathan Cluster and the Concordiat. Even in their obsolescence, however, they possessed incredible and devastating firepower... -
![Cleo Porter and the Body Electric by Jake Burt]()
Cleo Porter and the Body Electric by Jake Burt
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsJake Burt's Cleo Porter and the Body Electric is a futuristic middle-grade novel about a girl who lives in a hermetically sealed housing development.A woman is dying. Cleo Porter has her medicine. And no way to deliver it.Like everyone else, twelve-year-old Cleo and her parents are sealed in an apartment without windows or doors. They never leave. They never get visitors... -
![Hatch by Kenneth Oppel]()
Hatch by Kenneth Oppel
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsBook Two in the Bestselling Bloom TrilogyFirst the rain brought seeds. Seeds that grew into alien plants that burrowed and strangled and fed.Seth, Anaya, and Petra are strangely immune to the plants’ toxins and found a way to combat them. But just as they have their first success, the rain begins again. This rain brings eggs. That hatch into insects. Not small insects... -
![Arthur's First Sleepover: An Arthur Adventure by Marc Brown]()
Arthur's First Sleepover: An Arthur Adventure by Marc Brown
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsArthur invites Buster and the Brain to a backyard sleepover. The boys have heard rumors about alien sightings, and they run for their lives when they see strange flashing lights in the distance. Things return to normal, however, when they discover that the "alien" is from the planet D.W. Text copyright 2004 Lectorum Publications, Inc... -
![Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick]()
Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt could be the mysterious bloodstained man who tries to stop their coach, or the fact no one seems to be around at the brand-new activity centre when Lance and the rest of his class arrive for the Year 6 school trip, but something is definitely not right at Crater Lake! What follows is a fight for survival that sees five pupils band together to save their classmates from an alien fate far worse...Categorized as:
aliens children friendship action-adventure audiobook book children-books contemporary -
![Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates by Eva Gray]()
Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates by Eva Gray
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIn a terrifying future world, four girls must depend on each other if they want to survive.Louisa is nervous about being sent away to a boarding school -- but she’s excited, too. And she has her best friend, Maddie, to keep her company. The girls have to pretend to be twin sisters, which Louisa thinks just adds to the adventure!Country Manor School isn’t all excitement, though...Categorized as:
children friendship survival action-adventure boarding-school book children-books dystopia -
![Secret Squirrels by Jerry Boyd]()
Secret Squirrels by Jerry Boyd
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe Squirrels want Bob and the Gene out of their sky. Bob just wants to get along, maybe do a little business. How can he convince them he means no harm? Does he have to show them that they don’t want him for an enemy, just to get their attention? Find out in Secret Squirrels... -
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![The Last Dog on Earth by Daniel Ehrenhaft]()
The Last Dog on Earth by Daniel Ehrenhaft
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsLogan Moore 14 hates everyone. Dad Dr Craig Westerly, who left. Step-dad Bob, who wants control. Kids like too-good Devon. Except Jack. A mangy pup who only likes Logan.A new disease turns dogs vicious in days, spreads to humans. Logan runs with Jack when nobody believes she is immune. Meanwhile, Portland U. begs reclusive Craig back for old prion disease work...Categorized as:
children friendship survival action-adventure animals book children-books coming-of-age -
![The Stolen Moon by Rachel Searles]()
The Stolen Moon by Rachel Searles
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe action-packed sequel to The Lost Planet.This is what the boy is told:- His younger sister has an otherworldly (and sometimes annoying) ability.- The starship he now lives on has been infiltrated.- His friend Parker is working on the network hack of a lifetime.This is what Chase and Parker fear:- They won't be able to save the world in time... -
![Serendipity Ranch and the Quilters of the Apocalypse by Diana E. Anderson]()
Serendipity Ranch and the Quilters of the Apocalypse by Diana E. Anderson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsRachel and Joel Matthews lived next door to Chris and Scott Wilson. Not only were the four best friends, but they were also preppers, believing that they needed to be prepared for the troubled times they firmly believed were coming. Although they dearly wished they could afford to purchase some kind of “bug-out” location, none of them had that kind of money...Categorized as:
survival friendship action-adventure family post-apocalyptic fiction dystopia sci-fi -
![We're Not from Here by Geoff Rodkey]()
We're Not from Here by Geoff Rodkey
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsImagine being forced to move to a new planet where YOU are the alien! From the creator of the Tapper Twins, New York Times bestselling author Geoff Rodkey delivers a topical, sci-fi middle-grade novel that proves friendship and laughter can transcend even a galaxy of differences. The first time I heard about Planet Choom, we'd been on Mars for almost a year... -
![Arrival by Chris Morphew]()
Arrival by Chris Morphew
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsLuke is having a rough year. When his parents split up, his mum drags him to Phoenix, a brand-new town in the middle of nowhere.But Phoenix is no ordinary town. There are no cars, no phones and no internet. Luke thinks this is as weird as it gets.Then he discovers that someone is plotting to wipe out the human race. Phoenix is suddenly the safest and most dangerous place on earth...Categorized as:
children friendship survival action-adventure book children-books coming-of-age dystopia -
![The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood]()
The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe critically adored, New York Times bestselling Deborah Underwood delights with a hilariously meta celebration of storytelling out of control.Every story needs a problem.But Panda doesn't have a problem.Unless . . . Panda is the problem...Categorized as:
aliens children action-adventure animals anthropomorphism book children-books fiction
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