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Star Wars: Crisis at Crystal Reef (Young Jedi Knights) — Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta Published by Berkley, 1998 The story takes place a long time ago in a galaxy far away on the planets Yavin 4 and Kessel (Crystal Reef). Addictions in this world can be quite painful and make you do strange things. This is the theme of the book. The main character, Anja Gallandro, has an addiction to a spice that drives people mad. When her supply of spice runs low, she steals a ship from her friend and races off to Kessel in a desperate search to find more. Her friend Zekk, the other main character, follows her in another ship to chase her down before she hurts anyone. This book contains a great deal of action, from chasing the evil menace, Czethros, to fighting the beast that lies deep within Kessel. It makes the story very interesting. The character Zekk is my favorite because he has plenty of courage and strength and never turns back when things get difficult. He always has an idea just waiting to be let out, and every character respects this. I think the best part of the story is near the beginning when Anja's addiction takes over and she secretly journeys off the planet. The authors, Anderson and Moesta, try to explain the importance of determination throughout the story. They demonstrate how the characters need to take over their problems before their problems take over them. I also feel they're saying that you need to believe in your friends and never give up on them. I discovered a great deal about technology and space in this book through both real and fictional settings and places. I also learned that even the smallest of things, such as spice, can hold the deadliest evils of all. —Jacob, Grade 6

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