Way Off Base (The Area 51 Files) by Julie Buxbaum, Lavanya Naidu
Series: Area 51 Files #4
Published by Delacorte Press on 7/8/25
ISBN: 059389944X
Genres: Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Sky and her group of human and alien friends are back in this next installment in the humorous mystery series, Area 51 Files.  In this novel, Sky and her friends are determined to help her Uncle Anish figure out who the whistleblower who wants to expose Area 51, which would lead to the end of Area 51 and break up the peaceful community where aliens and humans co-exist.  On top of that, a 700 pound UFO goes missing, right before some dignitaries were supposed to see it.  Time is running out for Sky and her friends to investigate without getting into trouble or found out by the visiting politicians who don’t know that aliens are living among the humans.

Readers who enjoyed the previous books in the series will no doubt enjoy this one as well, but this is still a fun book for those who haven’t read others in the series.  The funny drawings and potty humor continue in this book and allow this mystery to not be too intense or suspenseful.  This is an entertaining read, great for upper elementary students.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library