by David Liss
First published 2015
Zeke Reynolds lives and breathes science fiction. He knows every detail of his favorite shows, games, and comics. Then he discovers that sci-fi stories reflect actual reality. The Confederation of United Planets selects him to spend a year aboard their enormous space station. The Confederation picks three brilliant young humans to test whether Earth deserves membership. Zeke is different. He's the random selection. Life in space proves harder than Zeke expected. He rescues his transport from enemy attack, but the Confederation brands him a war criminal. His fellow humans reject him. The Confederation despises him. Enemies hunt him. Zeke finds allies among other alien randoms, outcasts from their own worlds who stick together. These randoms may not be aboard the station by accident. Danger mounts around them. Zeke's deep knowledge of science fiction becomes the key to saving his new friends and protecting Earth from destruction.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, action, young-adult
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Confederation of United Planets, Earth
Period: present day
485 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers