The beloved author of Posted and Ms. Bixby's Last Day returns with
the first book in a coming-of-age sci-fi duology about Leo, a kid trying
to navigate the galaxy in order to save his family--and, possibly, the
planet Earth.
When scientists discover a rare and mysterious mineral buried in the
Earth's crust, they have no idea that it just happens to be the most
valuable substance in the entire universe. It's not long before aliens
show up to our little corner of the galaxy offering a promise of
protection, some fabulous new technology, and entry into their
intergalactic coalition--all in exchange for this precious resource. A
material so precious that other alien forces are willing to start a war
over it. A war that soon makes its way to Earth.
Leo knows this all too well. His mother was killed in one such attack,
and soon after, his father, a Coalition scientist, decides it would be
best for them to leave Earth behind. It's on this expedition that their
ship is attacked, Leo's father is kidnapped, and Leo and his brother are
stranded in the middle of space. The only chance they have is for Leo to
stow away on a strange ship of mercenary space pirates bound for who
knows where and beg the captain to help him find his father.
But the road is dangerous, and pirates, of course, only look out for
themselves. Leo must decide who to trust as he tries to stay alive and
save his family, even as he comes to understand that there aren't many
people--human or alien--that he can count on in this brave new universe.