Rating: 
Summary: I love the title of this book
Review: This is a wonderful book, though not without its imperfections. The characters are very real feeling and it was hard not to get drawn into Kambia's and Shayla's worlds. I think that the author has an overfondness for similes and metaphors, but overall the writing is strong. This is also an important book, for it deals with a silence that too often overtakes the fear, pain, and "shame" of abuse, as well as within families.
Rating: 
Summary: What a debut!
Review: When Kambia Elaine Flew in From Neptune is by far one of the best YA novels I've read in a long time. It's hard to believe this is the author's first book. Lori Aurelia Williams writes with the confidence of a seasoned novelist and has an amazing talent for putting the confusion of adolescence into words. She handles some fairly touchy topics (teen sexuality, child abuse, prostitution) with grace and sensitivity but always head-on and with incredible honesty. Readers will be drawn into the lives of Shayla, her family, and her enigmatic neighbor Kambia Elaine from the very first page. I highly recommend this book for both teens and adults alike. Because of some sensitive subject matter, parents of younger readers may need to decide whether their children are ready for a look at these issues. If in doubt, why not read When Kambia Elaine Flew in From Neptune with your teen - it's a great way to broach some otherwise difficult (but necessary) conversations.
Rating:
Summary: An affecting novel about growing up.
Review: When KAMBIA ELAINE FLEW IN FROM NEPTUNE should be required reading for anyone who aims to write for the young adult novel market. Lori Aurelia Williams has marvelous control of language, plot pacing, and emotion. I was hooked--once I picked the book up, I couldn't put it down.Which isn't to say that I didn't want to. This book isn't about easy topics, and there are several sub-plots running at one time, which Williams handles skillfully. Shayla, Williams' narrator, speaks with a wise voice, but not so wise for her age that she simply appears to be the plot-device for the author to say what she wants. Shayla has her own mind, and she's a careful observer. She watches the relationship between her mother and her grandmother and their arguments over the old ways; she watches the relationship between Tia and her mother, and Shayla is one of the first to realize that her mother is all wrong about Tia's boyfriend; she observes Kambia Elaine, who, even though she is "weird" is also a true friend who offers Kayla comfort. And Kayla is incredibly wise to the ways of the man who comes into her mother's life, although she isn't able to warn her mother. I found Kayla to be a wonderful lens with which to observe the world in which she lives. And, more importantly, I found Kayla to be a delightful girl who I would have loved to have been friends with when I was a teen.
Rating: 
Summary: Good For Teens
Review: When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune, was a great book for teenagers. Lori Aurelia Williams has a magnificent structure of writing, as well as descriptions. The atmosphere of her book was constantly changing, which was good, because that way it did not become boring. My rating for this book would probably be a four. I rated this book a four because of three main reasons. The first reason for my rating of this book was because it did develop a lot about the setting etc., but it almost had so much that it actually became a little "slow". I use the word "slow" in a way meaning that I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again. For example, Sheila walked to school, talked about how she wondered where Kambia was, then wrote an entry in her journal (in her head that is) and so on. I can say that this book is a little long for what was included/written in it. The second reason for rating this book a four, is because of the wonderful plot and lessons learned. Shayla, the main character, is struggling with many problems and challenges at home, and on top of those, she has to deal with her best friend Kambia. Kambia came to school with bruises, bloodstains, and a weak thin body, and her weird stories about the wallpaper wolves and many others, scared Shayla. Her challenge was to then help Kambia overcome her fears of all of her fictional beliefs and stories. Kambia learned many lessons about friendship, family, love, and trust. I personally love reading books I can relate to, and that is my third choice for the rating. This is a nice book to read as a teenager because it makes you aware of the possibilities of you being dragged into something you do not like. It also lets one see that it is ok to speak up if you are being forced to do something you don't want to do, because if you wait too long it will just become worse. Just like Kambia, it could be a threat to your life. This book is a wonderful and enjoyable story, and I do recommend it to anyone older than twelve years of age.
Rating:
Summary: Slow-Moving
Review: When Kambia Elaine Flew in from Neptune... got this from my cousin's collection. She loves the meaning and the simplisitc metaphors, but unfortunately I find it rather slow-moving and overdone. Okay, so we have one girl being molested, one runaway and on "good" kid. Kambia Elaine is the new girl in town, her mother is a prostitute anf=d her father abandonned them several years ago. With her wild, almost childish tales (though most have that inner meaning thingie) Kambia Elaine's character keeps the story moving. But as things focus more on Shayla, Tia, and their mother and grandmother, it takes strong motivation just to get the next chapter. Worth skimming, but not a favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Hardley Freshman
Review: When Kambia Elaine flew in from Nepturne is one of the best books for YAs that I have read in a long time. It is hard to believe that this is the first novel by Lori Aurelia Williams. Her frequent use of similes and metaphors enhance her writing and make her characters truly come alive. The book sends a strong message about the consequences of keeping silent about sexual child abuse. The bonds of family and friendship are strong and keep the reader eager to read on. As a school librarian and as a parent of junior high school children, I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for YA readers and educators
Review: When Kambia Elaine flew in from Nepturne is one of the best books for YAs that I have read in a long time. It is hard to believe that this is the first novel by Lori Aurelia Williams. Her frequent use of similes and metaphors enhance her writing and make her characters truly come alive. The book sends a strong message about the consequences of keeping silent about sexual child abuse. The bonds of family and friendship are strong and keep the reader eager to read on. As a school librarian and as a parent of junior high school children, I highly recommend this book.
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