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Jump Boys: SOS
The jump across the multiverses was supposed to be easy. But when a miscalculation sends thirteen-year-old twins Jayce and Val Jump into another dimension, their reality splinters. They discover a girl who holds the key to time itself and the boys make a promise to her dying father to protect her and the secret. But mechanical malfunctions plague their small ship, terrifying space pirates chase them across time and space, and betrayal waits for them at home. If they ever make it home.
- GenresScience Fiction
234 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 17, 2013
In Jump Boys: SOS we meet Jay and Val, 13 year old twins who are amongst the more privileged inhabitants of The Prime colony that has been orbiting Jupiter for 19 years past. But not their Jupiter. Primes main objective was to protect Earths most intelligent and beneficial members of the population from a raging tech war, but instead the entire colony had been propelled to an alternate dimension due to a mistake with the Primes navigation coordinates. A dimension from which they have no way of returning home.
The twins are obsessed with ‘Verse-jumping’, but despite the fact that their Father is in charge of the department that deals with travelling between the multi-verses, they themselves are not supposed to have access to that type of tech. A dare from their undesirable cousin Drake to prove that they could jump by themselves thrusts the twins into a fast moving adventure that involves space pirates, kidnapping and (with the help of the hover chair bound girl Davis), the rescue of a little girl whose not only holds the key to time but whose life is tantamount to the very existence of the twins themselves.
I enjoyed this book immensely. I have been a Science fiction fan for as long as I can remember, and this cleverly written story reminds me of the type of book that captured my attention as a child. Now at times I struggle to find this fast paced and well crafted style of fiction, so in many ways Jump boys is a breath of fresh air. The characters are well written, and can be seen to strengthen and evolve over the duration of the book. I look forward to see how the relationship between the twins and the Girl Davis develops in future adventures.
As the mother of an 11 year old boy and working in a K-6 Library, I am caught in the eternal struggle to find stories that will capture the imagination of 8-12 year old boys. I believe that this book with its fantastic mix of tech, space travel and adventure will be one that will fit the bill, and will be pleased to recommend it to “my boys”. In saying that I know that I have quite a few girls who will also be easily drawn into this book!
Fingers crossed that this book is the first of many in the Jump Boys series!
April 14, 2015
Banks, Alex Jump Boys SOS, 190 pgs. 2013 Novel Ninjutsu $12.99. Language: G(0 swears); Violence: G; Mature Content: PG.
13-year-old twins Jayce and Val are goaded into a taking a dare when their cousin, the school bully, doesn’t believe a brag and makes Val prove he’s “jumped”. In order to save their scientist father’s position in the Prime world, and their home at the elite level of the space station, the boys set off on a life threatening trip to save face, help a girl from another level, and maybe even get the colony back home.
This is an action-packed space adventure, perfect for the younger reader who isn’t quite ready for Ender’s Game. Although the potential for violence is there, Banks keeps it to a minimum without a lot of gory description. No swearing and smattering of "space-age" vocabulary, I'm hoping there's a sequel.
EL, MS - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
13-year-old twins Jayce and Val are goaded into a taking a dare when their cousin, the school bully, doesn’t believe a brag and makes Val prove he’s “jumped”. In order to save their scientist father’s position in the Prime world, and their home at the elite level of the space station, the boys set off on a life threatening trip to save face, help a girl from another level, and maybe even get the colony back home.
This is an action-packed space adventure, perfect for the younger reader who isn’t quite ready for Ender’s Game. Although the potential for violence is there, Banks keeps it to a minimum without a lot of gory description. No swearing and smattering of "space-age" vocabulary, I'm hoping there's a sequel.
EL, MS - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
November 19, 2019
My kids loved this book. We listened to it and when I had to run errands, they wanted to stay home and listen to it on our Alexa.
So much fun and adventure and intrigue. I asked them what their favorite part was and both my son and daughter honestly couldn't decide, they enjoyed the whole book so much. It was refreshing to see them participate in something other than video games!
So much fun and adventure and intrigue. I asked them what their favorite part was and both my son and daughter honestly couldn't decide, they enjoyed the whole book so much. It was refreshing to see them participate in something other than video games!
June 30, 2013
Jump Boys: SOS is for young readers and has a little mystery and some space adventure. Twin brothers Jayce and Val are thirteen, and aside from the fact that they are part of a space colony orbiting Jupiter, they are typical youngsters.
On their way to school, they note the early morning commute which includes "lancers, cruisers and tiny one-seater cyclepods". Have to wonder just exactly what a "cyclepod" looks like. The boys and their parents live in the most privileged area of Jupiter Prime, and their father is a respected member of a department studying the multiverse and trying to discover a way back to earth.
When their unpleasant cousin dares the twins to jump to another multiverse, the boys decide to try. When the jump goes wrong, Jayce and Val find themselves rescuing a little girl from a post-apocalyptic planet, fighting off dangerous space pirates, and forced to rescue their father when he is captured trying to rescue them. Got it?
The slang was amusing and fitting for space teens, but perhaps a bit overdone. Or maybe not, adolescent boys will probably find the slang totally "molten."
It is a bit on the slight side, but the boys and their parents provide good examples, and good conquers evil with a lot of dash. I wish Davis had had a larger role, but if this novel is the beginning of a series, she will certainly continue to make her presence known.
Alex Banks is a pseudonym for YA author Ali Cross, who has written a number of novels for a slightly older audience. Jump Boys appears to written for a younger, middle school audience.
NetGalley/All Night Reads.
Science Fiction. 2013. Print Length: 156 pages.
On their way to school, they note the early morning commute which includes "lancers, cruisers and tiny one-seater cyclepods". Have to wonder just exactly what a "cyclepod" looks like. The boys and their parents live in the most privileged area of Jupiter Prime, and their father is a respected member of a department studying the multiverse and trying to discover a way back to earth.
When their unpleasant cousin dares the twins to jump to another multiverse, the boys decide to try. When the jump goes wrong, Jayce and Val find themselves rescuing a little girl from a post-apocalyptic planet, fighting off dangerous space pirates, and forced to rescue their father when he is captured trying to rescue them. Got it?
The slang was amusing and fitting for space teens, but perhaps a bit overdone. Or maybe not, adolescent boys will probably find the slang totally "molten."
It is a bit on the slight side, but the boys and their parents provide good examples, and good conquers evil with a lot of dash. I wish Davis had had a larger role, but if this novel is the beginning of a series, she will certainly continue to make her presence known.
Alex Banks is a pseudonym for YA author Ali Cross, who has written a number of novels for a slightly older audience. Jump Boys appears to written for a younger, middle school audience.
NetGalley/All Night Reads.
Science Fiction. 2013. Print Length: 156 pages.
June 16, 2014
Jump Boys is the first middle grade novel by young adult/new adult novelist, Ali Cross, aka, Alex Banks. I have to say, this is one of the most well-written indie books I've read. It holds its own against anything the big six put out. (I've said that about a lot of Emblazon books, but it's true!)
Within, two brothers, Jayce and Valen Jump, are challenged by their horrible cousin to make a jump through space--a dangerous and illegal move for kids. You see, the earth was destroyed a generation ago, and those who escaped now live on a ship just off Jupiter. Upon leaving, the refugees jumped too far and lost their way in the multi-verse (multi-dimensional universe). They're unable to return to earth. All efforts to figure the way back have failed. But when Jayce and Val take up the challenge, an error in their configuration lands them back on earth! It's a horrible version of the planet they've heard about, and it's inhabited by space pirates. When they intercept an SOS signal, they attempt a rescue, but their ship was damaged in the jump. Will they be able to return? And if they do, what consequences await them at home?
Alex has a real knack for smooth, readable prose and for getting this set of brothers into some real predicaments. The first quarter or so of the book leads up to the dare. It takes a while to develop, but it's full of suspense. And then things really get rocking. I especially like the slang Alex creates ("molten," "galaxy head"). It's original and in keeping with the setting. Squeaky AwardAnd it also keeps the language in this one entirely appropriate for young readers.
Within, two brothers, Jayce and Valen Jump, are challenged by their horrible cousin to make a jump through space--a dangerous and illegal move for kids. You see, the earth was destroyed a generation ago, and those who escaped now live on a ship just off Jupiter. Upon leaving, the refugees jumped too far and lost their way in the multi-verse (multi-dimensional universe). They're unable to return to earth. All efforts to figure the way back have failed. But when Jayce and Val take up the challenge, an error in their configuration lands them back on earth! It's a horrible version of the planet they've heard about, and it's inhabited by space pirates. When they intercept an SOS signal, they attempt a rescue, but their ship was damaged in the jump. Will they be able to return? And if they do, what consequences await them at home?
Alex has a real knack for smooth, readable prose and for getting this set of brothers into some real predicaments. The first quarter or so of the book leads up to the dare. It takes a while to develop, but it's full of suspense. And then things really get rocking. I especially like the slang Alex creates ("molten," "galaxy head"). It's original and in keeping with the setting. Squeaky AwardAnd it also keeps the language in this one entirely appropriate for young readers.
July 23, 2013
A long time in the future, in a dimension far, far away, Valen (Val) Jump only thought one thing when he heard the dare set by his mean cousin Drake- “I must do it”. Jayce Jump, Valen’s brother thought one thing too – “He has to do it”? When Val agreed to jump through space (something that they shouldn’t do because it is illegal for kids their age), Jayce, Val’s twin, has to come too because they pretty much do everything together. Everything goes good… until they accidentally come by an unknown dimension with a rotting version of Earth (their parents were little kids when they abandoned Earth (or Alpha Earth). and they are still trying to find it again). Their ship is damaged badly. When they hear an SOS call from this Earth, they decide that they will rescue the little girl sending the signal. But what do they do when they rescue someone, but need to be rescued themselves?
This was an exciting book! The dystopian world the Jump boys live in is cool. I like how they live near Jupiter. The space ships, robots, and technology is really cool too. The idea of using holograms to communicate is neat and described well in the story. Jayce is smart and calm. I love that in a main character. Val was the natural daredevil, but has brains. I really like the combo of the two characters. I enjoyed reading this book. The writing style was awesome (Jayce has a great 1st person POV) and I love the idea of the different dimensions and versions of Earth. I can’t wait for a sequel to come out!
**NOTE I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an exciting book! The dystopian world the Jump boys live in is cool. I like how they live near Jupiter. The space ships, robots, and technology is really cool too. The idea of using holograms to communicate is neat and described well in the story. Jayce is smart and calm. I love that in a main character. Val was the natural daredevil, but has brains. I really like the combo of the two characters. I enjoyed reading this book. The writing style was awesome (Jayce has a great 1st person POV) and I love the idea of the different dimensions and versions of Earth. I can’t wait for a sequel to come out!
**NOTE I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2016
In the future, a group has fled Earth and someone ended up in another universe. Val and Jayce are young boys growing up on a space station in the beta universe. Their dad is working on a way to get them back to alpha earth, but hasn't been successful yet. They are dared into making a jump by their cousin. Instead of jumping to another planet, they jump to another universe. There someone they are still able to communicate with their universe and they intercept an SOS from a girl stuck on this earth. They have to outrun pirates, space station guards and their sinister uncle and commander of the space station.
This is a fun, space adventure for kids. However, I like characters who are a little more realistic than Val and Jayce. They are almost too perfect in that they are super smart and basically can do anything they want; I like my characters to have a few more flaws. I thought the multi-universe concept was interesting, but got a bit tangled at the end. I am still not sure about the science behind the ideas in this book. If they can't even get back to the main universe how could they get an SOS and/or communicate across universes?
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com.
This is a fun, space adventure for kids. However, I like characters who are a little more realistic than Val and Jayce. They are almost too perfect in that they are super smart and basically can do anything they want; I like my characters to have a few more flaws. I thought the multi-universe concept was interesting, but got a bit tangled at the end. I am still not sure about the science behind the ideas in this book. If they can't even get back to the main universe how could they get an SOS and/or communicate across universes?
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com.
January 29, 2014
13-year-old twins Jayce and Val are goaded into a taking a dare when their cousin, the school bully, doesn’t believe a brag and makes Val prove he’s “jumped”. In order to save their scientist father’s position in the Prime world, and their home at the elite level of the space station, the boys set off on a life threatening trip to save face, help a girl from another level, and maybe even get the colony back home. This is an action-packed space adventure, perfect for the younger reader who isn’t quite ready for Ender’s Game. Although the potential for violence is there, Banks keeps it to a minimum without a lot of gory description. No swearing and smattering of "space-age" vocabulary, I'm hoping there's a sequal.
Cross-posted to http://www.kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
Cross-posted to http://www.kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
June 23, 2014
Jump Boys is about two daring boys that are twins trying to do a prank that turns into a disaster.
When Val and Jayce try to do a dare everything seems to fall apart. When they miss a jump they were not supposed to do all together, where did they land and how do they get back?
My favorite part of the book was when they meet the little girl named Meg and save her and try to save Meg's father.
I'd recommend this book to people who like adventure, space ships and space.
- Madison, age 10
When Val and Jayce try to do a dare everything seems to fall apart. When they miss a jump they were not supposed to do all together, where did they land and how do they get back?
My favorite part of the book was when they meet the little girl named Meg and save her and try to save Meg's father.
I'd recommend this book to people who like adventure, space ships and space.
- Madison, age 10
February 21, 2013
This was a thoroughly enjoyable little book. A quick read, but a lot of fun. I especially loved the author's ability to put me into this future world through the use of slang she developed and interesting technology. If I had to pick out one complaint, it was that it was too short. I wasn't ready for it to be over when it was. So here's hoping she's got more adventures in store for the Jump Boys. Because that would be totally molten!
July 7, 2013
This was a great read. The slang threw me off a bit, but it was smooth sailing once I got the hang of it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews