Stowaway

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 familyand, possibly, the planet Earth.

When scientists discover a rare and mysterious mineral buried in the Earths crust, they have no idea that it just happens to be the most valuable substance in the entire universe. Its not long before aliens show up to our little corner of the galaxyoffering a promise of protection, some fabulous new technology, and entry into their intergalactic coalitionall 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. Its on this expedition that their ship is attacked, Leos 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 arent many peoplehuman or alienthat he can count on in this brave new universe.