Hello? Is Anybody There? — Jostein Gaarder

Eight-year-old Joe is waiting alone at home for the birth of his sibling when he sees something fall from the sky. It's Mika, from the planet Eljo, hanging by the seat of his pants in Joe's apple tree. During the first meeting, the two explore the thought-provoking concept of when down becomes up and vice versa...The importance of questioning everything, from what's a pancake to religious beliefs, makes this gentle story fun to read as well as eye-opening.-School Library Journal