Last Summer in Outer Space

Adventures of the PSS 118 #3

by Joshua S. Levy

Jack's eighth-grade year aboard the PSS 118 is coming to an end. And the students and faculty of the best public schoolship in the galaxy (if it does say so itself) are on the verge of completing their mission. If all goes well, they'll soon foil the sinister alien plot that's put all of humanity in danger.

But this is still middle school. So all does not go well.

When the original plan backfires, it's up to Jack, Ari, and Becka to take on the evil Minister one more time and make the galaxy safer for everyone.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure

232 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Joshua S. Levy is the author of FINN AND EZRA'S BAR MITZVAH TIME LOOP, THE JAKE SHOW, and SEVENTH GRADE VS. THE GALAXY (and its sequels). He is also co-editor of ON ALL OTHER NIGHTS. Josh lives with his wife and children in New Jersey. Visit him at www.joshuasimonlevy.com.

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The students of PSS 118 have technically graduated from 8th grade, but their mission isn't done until the Quarantine is reversed on all the planets. The Minister tries to blackmail Jack into delivering a false message to the adults working on the reversal and instead sends him with a bomb triggering device. Now they have to rescue the adults and then race the Minister's Elvidian forces to each of the Quarantine areas to undo the evil once and for all. But of course it isn't going to be easy, especially when they start to uncover why the Minister really quarantined those specific peoples.

An exciting and adventurous (but also humorous) final quest with the PSS 118 students. The ship has quickly developed into one of my favorite characters, and Hunter has become Becka's intern in this which is hilarious. Ari went into depression when he couldn't get Jack back on his own, and he constantly is in danger of going back there when things start to go bad, but Jack can quickly yank him out of it. The overarching plot is resolved well, and I like how the staff of PSS 118 decide to plan for the future (if Levy is inspired, there's an opening there for him to write more, but it feels finished for now). I was in the mood for a good space adventure and this completely satisfied that desire.

Notes on content:
Language: I believe there were 1 or 2 minor swears.
Sexual content: Crushes are mentioned, but that's pretty much all they are. No acting on them.
Violence: Violence is threatened but most end up ok.
Ethnic diversity: Becka is depicted with olive skin tones, Ari is Black, Jack is White, other students appear to be a whole mix of ethnic backgrounds based on their names.
GBLTQ+ content: One student is nonbinary (only determined because they are called they). One student mentions having 2 dads. There's a possibility a girl has a date lined up with another girl (just a name is mentioned which might be a girl or might not).
Other: Ari's depression seems more like pouting than actual depression.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joshua Levy completes his sci fi trilogy with this book and readers of the first 2 are likely to be very pleased with how the loose ends developed throughout the series are resolved. Not having read the first two, however, is not particularly required, but is strongly recommended. I was able to follow the fast-paced plot with little confusion as key factors are reviewed in a brief and seamless way, however, I would have enjoyed the interactions between teen characters and Jack and his parents much more if I had read the whole series in order. Readers in grades 5-7 who enjoy science fiction, fantasy, and space-centered fiction are sure to be drawn to the series. Main characters are fully fleshed out and while there is plenty of technology and space gadgets, nothing requires strong experience in those fields, just interest. I have only two issues with the final book (and the series as a whole): #1-Publisher and content clearly place this book as middle grade but the characters are beginning high school which is YA age. It is doubtful that many YA readers will be drawn to this one which brings me to #2-The cover looks like a mash up of two covers; the top half seems directed to older readers and the bottom section with the 3 astronauts and astro-hamster is almost cartoonish in appearance. Puzzling. Recommended for libraries needing more science fiction and having ample budget money.

Thanks for the print arc, Lerner Books/CarolRhoda.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library Copy

A good conclusion to this trilogy, with Jack and his friends saving the world again and ready to head to high school on the refurbished PSS 118. Ends on a happy note with most of the big problems having been solved and Jack reunited with both of his parents. Some fun times with hamster lord Dr. Shrew as well as the ship's AI taking over one of the teacher's bodies! My readers who loved the first two books will be glad to have this final title. (Although there could be high school adventures. Since Levy recently came out with the fantastic The Jake Show, I'm okay if this series is finished.)

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[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited to take one final journey with Becka, Ari and Jack on the PS 118 as they take the fight back to the Minister and the Elvidians. This was such a fun series and I adored it. The zany middle grade humor. The incredible world building that you only catch in small glimpses that hint at something more. The story that whips along at breakneck pace that somehow is coherent and fun and exciting and satisfying in ONLY 200 pages!?

I loved it. I'm so glad to have wrapped up this fun series and wishing the kids their very best year in high school!

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending, but the book was too short. There was a lot of stuff that happened off page that I would have liked to read. It felt like the author was just trying to get over with. And there was a tiny thing at the very end that was a little disappointing that didn’t need to be in there. Could have just left that bit alone. I really liked the first two books in the series. The final book had a lot of potential that was not lived up to.

[BBFlyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun young adult story.

[Kandrea Cheney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun and fast-paced space adventure on the PSS 118.