SEVENTH GRADE VS. THE GALAXY instantly hooked me for two reasons. Reason 1: I used to teach seventh graders. Reason 2: The first lines of the book were perfectly crafted to establish tone and setting:

“Zero-gravity dodge ball three times since Tuesday. So you knew it’s the end of the year.”

It’s the last day of school on a space ship orbiting one of Jupiter’s moons. Wow! What’s not to love?

But when the defenseless school is suddenly attacked, Jack activates the light-speed engines his father secretly installed. It catapults the school, teachers, and his classmates hundreds of light-years away. Instead of escaping to a safe haven, they are captured by an alien race determined to prevent Earth from realizing their potential as beings of a larger universe.

With the perfect blend of intrigue, humor, and action, Levy successfully kept me invested in the story of Jack and his friends, Ari and Becka (aka T-Bex). Readers will love this sci-fi adventure. One small caution, Jack’s adventure doesn’t end with this book. The saga of SEVENTH GRADE VS. THE GALAXY continues in EIGHTH GRADE VS. THE MACHINES (coming soon).

If you liked SEVENTH GRADE VS. THE GALAXY, you will also enjoy PETDEMONIUM.