Book Cover
Title The Star Ghost
Author Brad Strickland
Illustrator Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Pocket Books - 1994
First Printing Pocket Books - 1994
Book Cover
Title Stowaways
Author Brad Strickland
Illustrator Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Pocket Books - 1994
First Printing Pocket Books - 1994
Book Cover
Title Prisoners of Peace
Author John Peel
Illustrator Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Pocket Books - 1994
First Printing Pocket Books - 1994
Book Cover
Title The Pet
Author Mel Gilden & Ted Pedersen
Illustrator Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Pocket Books - 1994
First Printing Pocket Books - 1994
Book Cover
Title Arcade
Author Diana G. Gallagher
Cover Art Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Pocket Books - 1995
First Printing Pocket Books - 1995
Book Cover
Title Field Trip
Author John Peel
Cover Art Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Aladdin Paperbacks - 1995
First Printing Aladdin Paperbacks - 1995
Book Cover
Title Gypsy World
Author Ted Pedersen
Cover Art Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Aladdin Paperbacks - 1996
First Printing Aladdin Paperbacks - 1996
Book Cover
Title Highest Score
Author Kem Antilles
Cover Art ---
Publisher Aladdin Paperbacks - 1996
First Printing Aladdin Paperbacks - 1996
Book Cover
Title Cardassian Imps
Author Mel Gilden
Illustrator Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Aladdin Paperbacks - 1997
First Printing Aladdin Paperbacks - 1997
Book Cover
Title Space Camp
Author Ted Pedersen
Cover Art Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Pocket Books - 1997
First Printing Pocket Books - 1997
Book Cover
Title Honor Bound: Day of Honor
Author Diana G. Gallagher
Cover Art ---
Publisher Aladdin Paperbacks - 1997
First Printing Aladdin Paperbacks - 1997
Book Cover
Title Trapped in Time
Author Ted Pedersen
Illustrator Todd Cameron Hamilton
Publisher Aladdin Paperbacks - 1998
First Printing Aladdin Paperbacks - 1998
Category Science Fiction
Warnings None
Main Characters Jake, Nog and the rest of the DS9 crew, Alexander
Main Elements Aliens
Website ---




Click to read the summaryThe Star Ghost

Click to read the summaryStowaways

Click to read the summaryPrisoners of Peace

Click to read the summaryThe Pet

Click to read the summaryArcade

Click to read the summaryField Trip

Click to read the summaryGypsy World

Click to read the summaryHighest Score

Click to read the summaryCardassian Imps

Click to read the summarySpace Camp

Click to read the summaryHonor Bound: Day of Honor

Click to read the summaryTrapped in Time




I actually own a copy of The Star Ghost so when I found OpenLibrary had the whole collection I finally decided on what piece of the GIANT Star Trek lit-verse I would tackle first. These only take an hour or two each to read and they are great fun. As a YA (in fact middle-grade really) series, it of course centers on the adventures of Jake and Nog, who apparently did all kinds of crazy things we never got to see in the TV series. Of course, in books meant for kids, it is the kids that have to save the day, with minimal adult help. So while sometimes it doesn't make any sense that they don't go for help and try to solve the problems themselves, that's to be expected in the genre.

Otherwise, I must say they are very, well, Star Trek. Life and death situations occur, but are usually resolved by reaching out to the good in the other person/alien/thing. A creature might appear terrifying at first, but given a moment or two to get to know them, you realize they are actually there to warn you of great danger. Or an animal must be saved from a trader wanting to make a quick buck, because even animals shouldn't be treated as a thing.

And if the two boys need some additional help, there are often other kids around to help them out.

I found them a little silly, but you know, Star Trek had gotten a little dark lately, what with Picard and Discovery. I grew up on the shiny and bright Next Generation so I kind of like this return to the lighter side of things, where stuff happens but you know in your head by the end of the episode (of the book) things will mostly go back to the way they were ready for the next installment. I feel having a little of both is a good thing. Star Trek was meant to make us feel good about the future, and about the people around us, to give us hope. But at the same time we're not stupid, we know dark things will happen, that everything won't be perfect. But if you want a little happy stuff while you watch the second season of Picard and the fourth of Discovery, this kids series can help liven things up a bit.

And as the series goes along, there are a couple like Arcade and Highest Score that actually start to touch on themes that you might find in books like Ender's Game. And then there's Cardassian Imps...if that wasn't one trippy weird story I don't know what is!

The second to last book, Honor Bound: Day of Honor is part of another series which touches on every version of Star Trek of the time (Original, TNG, DS9, DS9 Kids, TNG Kids, Voyager) and explores a different Klingon character celebrating the Day of Honor. This didn't involve Jake and Nog but allowed another "kid", Alexander, to get the spotlight for a while.

To wrap up, the last story was particularly entertaining and an excellent place to wrap up. While all the books that came before were about Jake and Nog getting in trouble on the station, in this last book Nog is in Starfleet Academy and the kids are growing up. There's a little bit of silly time travel, but I must admit I smiled when I realized how the story was going to end when they go back in time to World War II France and run into a couple of French resistance fighters named Jean and Maurice...




Posted: Jan - April 2022

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