Cobb education and author Alethea Eason. Courtesy photo.

COBB – Cobb resident Alethea Eason will be on the book-signing tour next month for Hungry, her first children’s book published by HarperCollins.

The 208-page hardcover book is a science fiction/fantasy story geared to children 9 to 12 years old.

A teaching guide and lesson plans accompany Hungry according to Eason, a 20-year educator, Minnie Cannon Elementary School teacher and reading specialist.

“As a teacher, I understand the demands of using state-based curriculum and not having time to teach everything expected; therefore, lessons accompany my book,” Eason said. “The lessons are designed around 6th grade curriculum standards and include English-language arts, math, science, social studies, behavior intervention, and healthy eating.

“Teachers of other grades, and in states other than California, should find lessons applicable for their classrooms as well.”

Deborah Jones, the protagonist in Hungry, reflects on, among other things, the necessity of eating, the effects of consuming resources, genetics, and evolution.

A sixth grade girl, Deborah, is also known as “Dbkrrrsh” by her family and the rest of her species. Her family has come to Earth to make preparations for an invasion. She is caught between wanting to be a good citizen of the Home World, living up to her parents expectations, and the values she has learned growing up in America.

The dilemma she faces is a moral one as she has been brought up to believe to survive she must feed on human beings. Her best friend, Willy, who has started sixth grade as a social outcast, becomes the focal point of her problem. She is expected to feed on him to prove her loyalty to her planet.

Local publication parties, author presentations and book-signing events include The Bookkeeper, Cobb Center, Hwy 175, October 4, 7 p.m.; Funtopia Toys & Games, Middletown, October 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Copperfield’s Books, Calistoga, October 9, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Pomo Elementary School, Clearlake, October 18, 12:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wild About Books, Clearlake, October 21,1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Gallery Bookshop, Mendocino, October 28, 3 p.m.; and Barnes and Nobles, Santa Rosa, November 17, 11 a.m.

For more details about Hungry, see the HarperCollins Web site,

www.harpercollinschildrens.com/HarperChildrens/Kids/BookDetail.aspx?isbn13=9780060825546&BDMode=3. The book may also be purchased at www.amazon.com.

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