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Stowaway

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John David Anderson

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Stowaway

John David Anderson

4.04 · Rating details · 25 ratings · 18 reviews

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 family—and, possibly, the planet Earth.

When scientists discover a rare and mysterious mineral buried in the Earth’s crust, they have no idea that it just happens to be the most valuable subst ...more

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ebook, 384 pages

Expected publication: August 3rd 2021 by Walden Pond Press

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· 25 ratings · 18 reviews

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Feb 02, 2021 Steff Fox rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021, apathetic, arcs, boring, meh, middlegrade, poor-pacing

| Read on Reader Fox |

He liked listening to the classics (Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift).

Oof. I gotta say, John David Anderson's Stowaway was incredibly boring. I feel bad saying this, because I know that there's certainly some worth in this story--one focused on found families and the concepts of trust and manipulation--but I had such a hard time getting through it. And I think it's telling that you can have fantastic ideas and intriguing plots, but if your characters aren't interesting eno ...more

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Mar 04, 2021 Serena rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-or-giveaway

I listened to this as a synthesized voice eARC from NetGalley. It was my first time listening to a book like that and I was aware the entire time that there wasn't a person behind it, we empathize on certain words, or phases, and it was off putting to hear a "man" narrating what was very much a boy's young adult book with monotone. It was sometimes accidentally funny in not-funny spots and some jokes I had to think on before I actually understood why characters where reacting to a scene.

I did li ...more

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Jan 21, 2021 Laura L rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2021, arcs, audio, fantasy-sci-fi, pretty-good-4-stars

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This wasn't the most original story, it seemed to be a typical science-fiction adventure. There were a lot of current pop references, which seems like it'll date this book quickly.

I would recommend this to someone who doesn't have much science-fiction experience. The story was fun and the characters were memorable ...more

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Jan 16, 2021 Amanda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an ARC to read! I really enjoyed this exciting adventure, and it is definitely my favorite book by John David Anderson yet. At times it reminded me of Guardians of the Galaxy with its cast of eclectic but lovable, characters roaming space as pirates who straddle the line between right and wrong.
It takes place a bit in the future, and Leo and his brother Gareth live aboard a spaceship where their scientist father works with the friendly alien species the Ayakari ...more

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Nov 22, 2020 Lisa Nocita rated it really liked it

#stowaway #netgalley
Thanks to Net Galley for providing this advance copy of Stowaway.

This is easily Anderson’s best effort yet and that’s saying a lot! You will be drawn in immediately by the writing and swept up in the plot. Fans of Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars will find many relatable arcs. Plus there are plenty of Easter eggs for adult readers. Stowaway follows the hero’s journey of young Leo Fender, a plucky and intrepid protagonist. It is set sometime post 2050. In 2044, Alien life #stowaway #netgalley
Thanks to Net Galley for providing this advance copy of Stowaway.

This is easily Anderson’s best effort yet and that’s saying a lot! You will be drawn in immediately by the writing and swept up in the plot. Fans of Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars will find many relatable arcs. Plus there are plenty of Easter eggs for adult readers. Stowaway follows the hero’s journey of young Leo Fender, a plucky and intrepid protagonist. It is set sometime post 2050. In 2044, Alien life has been confirmed and welcomed with open arms.

“Do not fear, they said. We are friends. That was it, at first. Those two proclamations, though many more followed in the days and weeks to come. Revelations to a shocked and anxious planet. That we humans were only one of hundreds of civilized species in the galaxy. That all our wildest dreams about interstellar travel were about to come true overnight. And that our planet, the lovely blue and green marble called Earth, contained a treasure more precious than we ever dreamed of. Ventasium. Loads of it. Heaps of it. Deep in the planet’s crust. And they, the Aykari, would show us how to use it.”

“the Aykari were technologically superior in every way. The one thing the people of Earth had to offer them, that the planet itself had to offer, the visitors could have easily taken by force. But they didn’t. They asked nicely. Share your ventasium, they said, and we will be your personal escorts into this great big universe. And humanity did the only thing it could do in that situation. It said, Okay.”

But the Aykari are not the only ones who want ventasium. Great conflict abounds in the galaxy. And on earth, mining ventasium has come at great cost to the environment. Leo’s father is a renowned, Nobel prize winning scientist. When the war over ventasium comes to earth and exacts a great toll, Dr. Fender decides it’s time to protect his family. He signs on with Aykari to be a scientific adviser and researcher, in space. Leo and his brother Gareth are forced to leave home behind. They spend the next three years on a research ship until one fateful day when the enemy Djarik storm the ship, take Dr. Fender captive, and leave the ship and her crew stranded in space with no fuel, low supplies, and no communications. Leo and Gareth are desperate to find their father. Days later, pirates board the disabled vessel in hopes of an easy mark. Gareth senses an opportunity to stowaway aboard the pirate ship to get help for the crew and ship; to get word to Aykari command about what has happened to his father. Alas, there’s only room for one in the storage compartment and time is running out. Gareth tricks Leo into climbing in first and then makes Leo see that he is their best hope. ““Be brave, Leo,” Gareth said, holding up one hand as the hatch slid closed.” Thus begins Leo’s galactic adventures and hero’s journey.

Anderson’s prose is sublime and the narrative is punctuated with humor and snappy dialogue. “The devils take you, you bowel-crusted, feces-eating snarf sucker!” The characters and world building are fully fleshed out. It’s a story about the meaning of home, family, and friendship. Plus a whole lot of galactic hi jinx.

I loved it. I can’t wait for the next installment! I’m only sorry I won’t be able to hand it to my students until August 2021! Thank you, John David Anderson!

...more

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Dec 28, 2020 Karen Firstbrook rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Imagine the world 40 years in the future . . . the people of Earth have discovered they are not alone. In fact, they have learned that the universe is so much more immense than they can ever imagine and that humans are one of the more underdeveloped species! Add to this mix a war between species and Earth being ravaged to develop the most crucial elements for space travel and you've got the backdrop to this Middle Grade Science Fiction novel.
Leo and his brother and father live aboard a space shi ...more

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Jan 31, 2021 Sirah rated it really liked it

When a new powerful element is discovered deep within planet Earth, mankind is excited to discover its many uses. They're not the only ones hungry for technological advance, however, and Earth is quickly plummeted into an intergalactic war over who has the rights to the most powerful fuel source in the universe. Leo's father is a scientist famous for his breakthroughs in V research, and when he is given an opportunity to study the substance on a scientific space expedition, he uproots his alread When a new powerful element is discovered deep within planet Earth, mankind is excited to discover its many uses. They're not the only ones hungry for technological advance, however, and Earth is quickly plummeted into an intergalactic war over who has the rights to the most powerful fuel source in the universe. Leo's father is a scientist famous for his breakthroughs in V research, and when he is given an opportunity to study the substance on a scientific space expedition, he uproots his already crumbling family and sends Leo and his older brother into a world of alien attacks, space pirates, new planets and the infinite darkness of outer space.
There were a lot of things I liked about this book. Leo is a believable character who makes some mistakes but consistently tries to do what's best for his family. Every time we saw a flashback to the destruction on Earth through Leo's memories, my heart ached a little for the seemingly inevitable disaster that greedy mining companies inflict in their pursuit of valuable resources and the struggle of those who are not quite tall enough to stand against it. The space pirates added a fun note of chill rebellion and cheeky nostalgia that helped to offset the occasionally harrowing battle scenes and moments of despair as we wonder if Leo will ever find his family again. The world building was well done, and I enjoyed imagining the bizarre locations that came into focus after the light speed jumps. Although I'm skeptical about the line that says that "every single one of Earth's countries agreed," I appreciate how this sets up several key twists in the book and reveals an interesting side of psychology. While not quite thrilling, it's certainly believable.
This book fits in well on my shelf with the Star Wars and Ender's Game books, though it's considerably more family-friendly and easy to read. I don't know if I'll continue reading the series as space epics aren't really my jam (despite my large collection of books that might indicate the contrary), but I will definitely recommend Stowaway to any of my students who are looking for something exciting to read when we discuss climate change, space travel and finite fuel sources. ...more

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Dec 29, 2020 Stacy rated it really liked it

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Highly enjoyable young adult space book.

Fifty years in the future space travel is real and aliens live on earth. One species of aliens has given Earth lots of technology in exchange for mining rocket fuel and destroying our planet. Aliens are at war with each other over this rocket fuel. Teenagers Leo and Gareth are living on a space ship for three years with their scientist father. When ...more

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Jan 07, 2021 Rachel Goodman rated it really liked it

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing this advance copy of Stowaway.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. From the beginning, the reader is catapulted into a journey of space exploration forty years in the future as we follow Leo and his brother and father. Though this book is aimed for a middle grade/younger audience, the themes of grief and loss resonated with me very strongly, and John David Anderson handles certain sensitive material very delicately.

As a person who struggles with ...more

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Dec 19, 2020 Margaret rated it really liked it

Shelves: dec20, middle-grade, netgalley-to-review, sci-fi-fantasy

aliens, space travel and pirates!! how exciting!

this story follows Leo as he tries to get back together with his family after an incident in space. the people he meets and the adventures he encounters are well written, and you find yourself rooting for Leo to complete his mission!.

the flashbacks to his life pre-aliens is well done, and flows well with the story.

the things we find out about alien relations makes us want to find out more, follow Leo on more adventures.

thanks to Netgalley for a ...more

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Feb 19, 2021 Lizanne Johnson rated it really liked it

“Wait! When is book two coming out?! It was a cliffhanger!” So say my middle school library students. I am prepared to hear the complaints. The students will find Leo relatable. Middle school angst is definitely a thing. Sibling problems? A thing. Confusing parents? A thing. Wondering who to trust? A thing. Grief? Definitely a thing. My opinion? I’ll buy this for my middle school library and encourage the kids to check it out and prepare myself for their “complaints.”

Thanks to NetGalley and the ...more

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Jan 22, 2021 Courtney rated it really liked it

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the free audiobook in exchange for a honest review!

Leo, his dad and brother live on a research vessel in space working alongside the Ayakari, an alien species they have formed an alliance with. When their vessel is attacked by the enemy, the Djarik, Leo’s father is kidnapped. The rest of the crew is left stranded on their damaged vessel. They are then boarded by pirates. Leo’s brother, Gareth hides Leo on the pirate vessel so he can escape and try to ...more

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Jan 21, 2021 Hailie Norman rated it liked it

Shelves: 2021-release, audiobooks, middlegrade, science-fiction, arc

This is a fun middle grade story about a boy who ends up as a Stowaway on a pirates’ spaceship. There are themes of adventure, found family, criminals with hearts of gold. In Stowaway Earth has been attacked by an alien race, and humans live across the galaxy.

Stowaway will be published on August 3, 2021.

I reviewed this title from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Feb 04, 2021 Jas Asbill rated it really liked it

Last week he was playing tag with his big brother and now he has a bounty on his head! How did he come so far from being his mom’s little lion.

Aliens, hackers, exciting escapes, and gun battles. This is a middle grade winner. The only part I wasn’t excited about was the to be continued.

CAWPILE Rating: 8.43

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Dec 20, 2020 Mandy rated it really liked it

Thanks to Netgalley I was able to read an advance copy of this book. This is a great sci-fi, dystopian novel with plenty of action packed moments. John David Anderson is a great author and this book is no exception! I would recommend to 6th grade and up based on some language and situations.

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Jan 09, 2021 Cheryl Mizerny rated it really liked it

Shelves: mg-ya

There is just not enough middle grade science fiction. Combine that with a really fun adventure story and you have a big hit. I have students that will really love this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Walden Pond Press for letting me read this book.

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Dec 18, 2020 Amy Nicole rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, audiobooks, 2020, reviewed

There needs to be more middle grade sci-fi! I’m so happy to be able to add this to the collection. This was a great story filled with strange aliens, intergalactic pirates, a moody robot, interesting political war strategy, double crosses, and wonderful themes of family and belonging.

There are a few jokes that make this more in the middle grade arena than the lower elementary side of things. For example, there’s a joke about showing a middle finger, kicking people in the groin in self defense, ...more

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