Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Robin Klein |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Melissa Webb |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Viking Kestrel |
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Publication date
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1985 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 144 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | 0-670-80636-6 (first edition, hardback) |
| Followed by | Turn Right For Zyrgon |
Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left is a fun science fiction novel written in 1985 by Australian author Robin Klein. It's about an alien family who have to hide on Earth. They settle in a small town called Bellwood. This book was so popular that it was even made into a children's television series! Robin Klein also wrote a second book, a sequel called Turn Right for Zyrgon.
Contents
About the Story: Plot Summary
The novel tells the story of the planet Zyrgon. This planet is controlled by special galactic police called The Law-Enforcers. They are looking for Mortimer, who has won the government lottery 27 times in a row!
His family is led by the youngest daughter, 12-year-old X. She is very smart and wants to save her dad from being sent to a detention center.
Meet the Zyrgonian Family
The family also includes:
- Mother: She prefers to design cool clothes and lets X handle all the family worries.
- Dovis: The oldest sister. She is a cosmic flier who loves writing poetry and can float in the air.
- Qwrk: The youngest, an 8-year-old boy genius who is already a professor!
X is the main character. She is often stressed because she has to deal with strange Earth customs, like going to school. She also has to take care of her unique family.
Zyrgonian Powers and Life
People from Zyrgon have special abilities. These include:
- Levitation: The power to float in the air.
- Simulations: The ability to change their shape.
- Kinetics: The power to move things with their mind.
Zyrgonians love to gamble. They live on an extremely modern planet that is also a bit strict and controlled.
The Television Series
| Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Genre | Sci-fi/Aliens |
| Created by | Robin Klein |
| Starring | Lauren Hewett Jeffrey Walker Jan Friedl Bruce Myles Silvia Seidel Sandy Gore Bruce Spence |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| No. of episodes | 28 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 24 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | Seven Network |
| Original release | 19 June 1994 – 1 January 1995 |
The exciting story of Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left was made into a television series! It was filmed in 1992 but first shown in 1994–1995.
Where the Show Was Popular
The TV show was very popular in Australia. It also aired in the United Kingdom on channels like CITV and TCC. Other parts of Europe also enjoyed the series.
You can't find the series on DVD right now. However, some episodes were released on VHS in the UK in the early 1990s. The series was even repeated in the UK between 2007 and 2008 on a digital children's channel.
Episodes and Filming Locations
The TV show had 28 episodes. These were split into two main story parts. The first part followed the book closely. The second part had brand new stories. Some of these new stories were later used in the sequel novel, Turn Right for Zyrgon.
The entire series was filmed in Melbourne, Australia.
- The planet Zyrgon and the inside of the family's home were filmed on a sound-stage.
- The town of Bellwood was filmed in Williamstown.
- The outside of the family home was in Surrey Hills.
Meet the Cast
Here are some of the actors who brought the characters to life:
- Lauren Hewett as X
- Kellie Smythe as Jenny
- Che Broadbent as Colin
- Jeffrey Walker as Qwrk
- Bruce Myles as Father
- Jan Friedl as Mother
- Silvia Seidel as Dovis
- Bruce Spence as The Chief
- Kerry Armstrong as Officer Jady
- Paul Kelman as Lox
- Diane Cilento as Principa/Authoritax
- Sandy Gore as Aunt Hecla
