Thomas and his father Patrick have lived in Belthorp, a small village in England, for five years. Thomas has learned to be very happy there. So he isn't pleased when his father tells him that they must go back home. Thomas has come to feel at home in Belthorp. His father reminds him that they were only in Belthorp for a purpose, and that purpose has been completed now.

Thomas, an honest boy, has always been truthful with his neighbor, Mrs. Dalrymple. He told her about the space ship the size of a golf ball that he and his father traveled to Belthorp in. Of course, to fit inside it, they had to shrink down very tiny. Then, when they got out, they zoomed right back up. And Thomas told his best friend Mickey that the moon was nothing special. He and his father flew around it twice on their way to Belthorp --- a navigational error --- and he didn't know why anybody would want to go there. But somehow, Mrs. Dalrymple and Mickey just thought Thomas had a great imagination. In fact, Mickey gets mad at Thomas for telling him that he has to leave Belthorp to go back to Ormingat. He thinks Thomas should just tell
the truth, that he's really moving to Canada like Patrick says.

Thomas is angry enough at having to leave earth that he tells his father he won't do it. He's forgotten Ormingat, even the language. But his father says he has no choice.

Then something happens to change that. He can remain an earth boy, play the
youngest shepherd in the Christmas play, and live with Mrs. Dalrymple. The key to it all is within his grasp. In fact, he may not be able to leave earth. What does he feel about that?

   --- Reviewed by Tamara Penny