Planet Gettopo is the sequel to Sacrubery Woods. There is a broader age range for this story, which includes teens, because of the content of interest. This book is great for older children (and even adults) who like fantasy and interplanetary adventures, or interest in music, science, or religious history. Like Sacrubery Woods, it is a parable based on Biblical wisdom, and many others will like it because it promotes peace instead of violence.
Six friends from the Planet Naljoi plan their dream vacation in another world where music is virtually the language. However, mishap to their space ship leads them to find an emergency landing they could set foot on. Little did they know they landed in a ghetto world, ruled by the dog-headed people called "dongos". Elvon, the top dongo invites them in and offers to help them in return if they only do what he commands. Bewildered, the six friends wonder if this top rock star is really a friend or an enemy. Worse, they wonder if they would ever be able to escape their bondage in this cruel world to return to beautiful, peaceful Planet Naljoi. In many ways, Gettopo resembles Planet Earth, only worse. A twist of events leads to a rather surprise ending, and this story is bound to bring both tears and laughter.
The idea for the story was based on a conference Natalie attended in Philadelphia called "Build-a-Bridge" in 2004. It was about using the arts and finding unusual ways to meet the needs and minister to those of inner city ghettos. Part of the conference involved a critique on the Fifty Cent's rap "In Da Club", and learning the world view of inner city life. The story was actually conceived in 2007 after Natalie had to go through Chicago's "ghettoy" south side to get to work. During that time, she would long for the peaceful country, as the characters in the story longed for their peaceful "Naljoi".
The idea for dongos ("dog" + "dingo" to come up with the word) came from the phrase "top dog". Shirts with this phrase usually had pictures of rottweilers or pit bulls. The name "Elvon" is a twist off "Lenon" and "Elvis". The world values of the dongos in Planet Gettopo is based on the Fifty Cent's rap "In Da Club". Some of Elvon's last song almost resembles that rap, only much more cleaned up. He does use some of the same language, "My hubs as big as trees...". You also see a little bit of Michael Jackson's life in Elvon. He becomes rich, buys an amuzement park, and virtually has everything. However, parts of the poem of "Richard Cory" also play a part in the story.
This story has something to say to both children and adults, Christians, and nonChristians alike.
