Aliens Stole My Body

Bruce Coville’s 1999 children’s science fiction novel Aliens Stole My Body wraps up the three-book series centered on Rod Albright. Katherine Coville, the author’s wife, handled both the interior illustrations and the front cover art.

In the story, the group from The Search for Snout splits into three teams after Selima Khan departs. Rod and Seymour head to the planet Kryndamar with Snout, Elspeth, and Madam Pong. Grakker and Phil, the sentient plant science officer, try to reconnect with the Galactic Patrol. Ah-Rit and Tar Gibbons set off to retrieve Rod’s original body from the villain BKR.

On Kryndamar, Rod trains his mind with Snout and gains allies: intergalactic pet trader Mir-Van, his family, and his business partner Grumbo. They learn from one of BKR’s henchmen that BKR knows Rod’s brain is empty, but plans to use it as bait—and intends to kidnap Rod’s mother and younger twin siblings from Earth. After arriving on Earth, most of the group is captured by BKR and his gang, including the traitor Arly Bung.

Grakker, Phil, and Selima Khan are also caught just before leaving the solar system. All are taken to BKR’s headquarters, where Ah-Rit and Tar Gibbons join them. BKR demands to know where Rod’s mind is hidden or everyone dies.

Rod has Snout send him back to his own body, and using skills from Tar Gibbons and Snout, he defeats BKR and his crew. Rod and his family return to Earth, though Rod can go back to space later. BKR and his gang are jailed awaiting trial. The Ferkel and its crew must also stand trial for breaking the law by going renegade.