Synopsis

“I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.”

Blast off with the four winners of the StellarKid Project on a trip to the International Space Station and then to the Gateway outpost orbiting the Moon! It’s a dream come true until space junk collides with the ISS, turning their epic trip into a nightmare of survival. Alone aboard the Aether starship, the kids have to work as a team to save the adults before the ISS is destroyed. Suit up, cadet, and launch into adventure with One Giant Leap!

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**The eBook was free on 4/8/23, so check your favorite retailer!**

Review

This was an action-packed, informative, and entertaining novel. This is perfect for anyone that loves space or the thought of being an astronaut.

While some of this is based on fact, it brings to life what could happen on a trip into space. It isn’t like Star Trek or any other sort of sci-fi show, but it outlines the dangers and pitfalls, along with the wonderment of all things beyond our atmosphere.

A small number of teenagers are chosen, via a contest, to go into space and around the moon. They train for all possibilities, and it isn’t guaranteed that they will end up in space; it all depends on how well they do learning the ropes. All four of the teens are gifted in their own right and bring a lot to the table. We see this as they encounter many obstacles on their journey. However, these events help bring them closer and team up to help everyone survive. I came to respect each of these teens. While they might have had the typical teen angst, they were also bright and had their own issues they were dealing with at the time.

This is not a superficial story; it delves deep into the fears, hopes, and desires of all of the teens, especially Fin since he is the main character. I found myself on pins and needles, wondering how events would turn out for them. I can’t even imagine being as brave as these characters are in the book. Heck, I can’t even imagine going into space.

I do think that this book is geared toward those slightly older than middle grade only because of the technical terms and equipment that are mentioned throughout the book. I used my great-niece as a guide, she is an advanced reader, but even she would have to ask about different words in the book. This isn’t a bad thing, and it would open up dialogue between children and their parents. However, this is still a very fascinating book that anyone will enjoy.

We give it 5 paws up.

Read an excerpt here.

About the Author

Ben Gartner is the award-winning author of adventure books for middle graders. His stories take readers for a thrilling ride, maybe even teaching them something on the journey. Ben can be found living and writing near the mountains with his wife and two boys.

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