Earth is dying/dead. Skylab 7 loaded with a strictly vetted crew and enough supplies for five years is headed for Mars. On board, Jesse (as in James) Wilder, 16 - make that 15 - year-old from Ozark, MO serves as the ungainly craft's unofficial historian. With it's stricter than Bligh commander preaching never-look-back, rationing and self-discipline, mutiny's on the horizon, and it's all about to get worse.

One of my favorite coming-of-age novels from the 80's, Alien Music stands the test of time surprisingly well. If you can get past the absence of computers, cell phones and iPods, the story could be taking place today. Thought-provoking and highly entertaining, and Jesse is a heroine to be reckoned with. ( )