Cook-Off! — Alethea Eason

It's been ten months since my species' invasion failed, but you know the old saying When first you don't succeed-My Earth name is Deborah Jones, but the Home World knows me as Dbrrrksh of the House of Mpfld. A new invasion is imminent, but I have a more pressing problem: buds have erupted on my six alien tentacles, meaning I'm a candidate for a life-and-death battle to see if I have the right stuff to defeat the Supreme High Matriarch one day. But, a Home World mean girl has come to Earth. She's spent years preparing for the trials and is the odds-on favorite to snack on me.My best friend Willy discovers he has a knack for cooking and his own contest to worry about: the Sacramento Tween Cook-Off. My grandmother, Commander Psgbttk, is writing a cookbook called Recipes for Cooking Humans and has perfected a human-flavored jellybean. Grandmother wants me to be Willy's sous chef for the grand finale. Does she think I'll prepare Steak Tartar for the Home World to feast upon?The Cook-Off countdown is ticking.So much for seventh grade. If I don't outsmart Grandmother, everyone on Earth is toast.