Zita is out playing with her best chum Joseph when a meteorite falls to Earth and reveals, inside, a shiny red button. Of course Zita pushes it because, c'mon, who wouldn't? The button opens a spatial portal, through which Joseph is quickly abducted by something with tentacles. Zita, left behind, does the only logical thing available to her: she pushes the button again and follows him.

Of course, it won't be that easy to find him again, and her quest leads Zita through an array of alien landscapes, where she meets quirky characters and makes a few valuable allies -- among them a giant mouse and a combat robot. Her adventures are cute and charming, never overwhelmingly tense, and so are perfect for younger readers.

Ben Hatke handles both the script and art well. Young readers will be enthralled. And, since Hatke leaves room for at least one sequel, be sure to come back for more with this spunky little adventuress.