However, while Ruth is the real protagonist and hero (she helps Spaceboy and immediately understands why the rockets crash), it's Spaceboy who is in the title and on the cover.

His debut children's novel, The Boy in the Dress, was published in 2008 to unanimous critical acclaim and he has since developed a reputation as a natural successor to Roald Dahl. Some of the scenes are drawn like a children’s comic book and I especially loved his illustration for Spaceboy with his metal head and flowing cape. A helter skelter chase follows on ostrich back and more with all of Walliam’s sound effects decorating the text.

After reluctantly taking in her orphaned relative Ruth, Aunt Dorothy put her straight to work on the farm. I loved that even though this story was different from David Walliams’ other novels; both in place and time, it didn’t lose any of its Walliams’ magic. And so, when a blazing flying saucer shoots across the sky one night, Ruth dashes out from behind her telescope to find out more. Most of David Walliams’ books are set in present time and in England whereas this book was set in 1960’s USA. There is a silliness to it but also a depth as both Ruth and Spaceboy have a parent-guardian who abuses them verbally on a daily bases.

Pretty much every page was just a load of silly speech full of puns and jokes, and there was barely anything serious. Ruth's terrible life is never to be the same as she struggles to hide the alien from her aunt, the sheriff, the FBI, the CIA, the scientific boffins and even the President of America.They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. Still, the story did have heart and my son enjoyed my dramatic reading even if it was all a bit tiresome for me.