The Return of Zita the Spacegirl

Zita is a spacegirl. She roams the galaxy, upholding justice and defending the innocent. However, her philanthrophy and philxenophy is cut short when she is abducted by the diabolical squid people, who put Zita to work in the Mines. Her only hope of escape lies with a bizarre, masked stranger, a skeleton, a heap of rags, and a dubious mouse. She will have to rely on the talents of these as well as her previous friends (from earlier books in the series) to succeed.

This book was definitely intended for a younger tween audience. The plot is minimal, but the action is slathered on in a very good-vs-evil, black-and-white story that will be very appealing to this age group. Zita is a confident and likeable protagonist; although she is headstrong and incautious, her heart is in the right place. The book is funny, and the illustrations are cute and endearing. Younger readers will be tickled by the clever plot twists that fill the work, and the lovable monsters and other creatures who help Zita out of her difficulties.