The Search for Snout facts for kids

The Search For Snout is an exciting science fiction book by Bruce Coville. It's the third adventure in the Rod Albright Alien Adventures series. This book first came out in 1995. In the UK, it had a different name: Aliens Stole My Dad. This was because 'snout' means tobacco in British slang.

Rod's Alien Adventure Continues

This story starts right after the last book ended. Rod Albright has a tough job: introducing his mom to the alien crew of the Ferkel spaceship! It's even harder to tell her he's leaving Earth to find his half-alien dad.

But bigger problems quickly appear. BKR, a dangerous alien, has escaped! He took over the Merkel, the Ferkel's sister ship, while being taken to prison. Now, the Ferkel crew must find BKR and capture him again.

Searching for Clues

The crew questions Smorkus Flinders, a strong alien from Dimension X. They learn a little about BKR's new plan. Then, Rod gets a message from his friend Snout, who is a master of mind powers.

Because of this message, Grakker (the ship's commander) decides to leave the Galactic Patrol's mission. Instead, they head to the Mentat. This is a special school where Snout learned his mind skills. The school building is actually a giant plant! Grakker hopes to find a clue about Snout there.

During their trip, Grakker shares stories from his past. He explains how he met both Snout and BKR. Meanwhile, Smorkus Flinders escapes from his prison pod. He manages to capture almost everyone on the Ferkel!

Elspeth to the Rescue

Luckily, Rod's human cousin, Elspeth, was a stowaway. She was in suspended animation as punishment, so she wasn't captured. Elspeth manages to stop Smorkus and free the others. During the fight, Rod's chibling (a small, furry creature from Dimension X) gets hurt.

Later that night, Rod learns something strange about Snout. His friend was forced into his third stage of life. This means Snout is now two separate animals! One part is named Seymour. He looks like a squashed, blue, hairless cat with four (later six) legs and a huge eyeball on a long neck. The other part is Edgar, who looks like Snout did before. Seymour is the smart one, holding their shared brain.

Arrival at the Mentat

Soon, they arrive at the Mentat school. They meet the 'Head' Council, but the Council can't help them find Snout. However, they do explain that Rod and Snout have a special mind link. This link was created in the first book when they had direct brain-to-brain training.

The Council also questions Smorkus Flinders. Through him, they contact BKR. The Council can't help with the "Ferkada" that Snout mentioned. But they do agree to try and cure Smorkus Flinders. They want to turn him back into a "Normal," which is what his species was before he became a monster in a "Reality Quake."

Escape and Discoveries

Later that day, the Mentat's security team arrests Rod, Elspeth, and the crew. The Galactic Patrol had contacted them. They are locked up deep inside the Mentat. But they are soon rescued by Selima Khan. She is another alien like Snout and also went to the Mentat.

During their escape into the caves below the Mentat, Rod sees an old carving of his father. Selima Khan also reveals BKR and Smorkus Flinders' evil plan. They want to use a black hole to set off a bomb. This bomb would mess up the space-time continuum and stop time itself! For some reason, they need Rod's brain to do this.

Rod gets another message and leaves the group to follow it. With Seymour and Edgar, Rod ends up inside a giant stone beast. They travel deep inside it. Finally, they reach a room where Snout is lying, slowly disappearing. But Snout isn't alone! Rod is finally reunited with his father, who is also known as the Ferkada, one of the Mentat's ancient founders.

The Truth Revealed

Rod's father, Ah-Rit Alber Ite (or Arthur "Art" Albright), tells Rod the truth about his past. He came from the lost city of Atlantis, about 35,000 years ago! He also explains his history with BKR. His father reveals that he once ran away with important information that BKR needs for his plans. He hid this information in a safe place: Rod's brain!

Just then, BKR arrives with Smorkus Flinders. BKR tells his side of the story and tries to get the information he needs. The Ferkel also arrives just in time! A battle begins, but it ends in a tie. BKR has Rod's father and threatens to kill him if Rod (and the important information) isn't given to him.

Luckily, there's a clever solution. Rod's father is released to the Ferkel. Rod is handed over to BKR. But Snout quickly transfers all the information from Rod's mind into Seymour! Now, two minds live in Seymour's body. After the swap, BKR leaves with Rod's empty body.

Snout, now fully recovered, explains what happened to him after he vanished from Dimension X. He was exploring the dimension and connected with something very unfriendly, possibly Smorkus Flinders himself.

Other Books in the Series

• Aliens Ate My Homework
• I Left My Sneakers in Dimension X
• Aliens Stole My Body