Mission Multiverse

Mission Multiverse #1

by Rebecca Caprara

Middle school misfits are tasked with saving the multiverse in this sweeping space adventure perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson series.

When five members of a middle school marching band are accidentally projected into an alternative universe during a field trip to the NASA headquarters, their fates land in the hands of the Multiverse Allied Council: a group of extraterrestrial delegates responsible for preserving harmony across the multiverse. Then Dev, Isaiah, Tessa, Maeve, and Lewis discover that Earth's destruction is imminent due to an environmental collapse caused by humans. What can they do when their most formidable skill is marching in formation? Against all odds, the space cadets fight to navigate the multiverse, save themselves from power-hungry forces eager to destroy them, rescue their families, and fight for the preservation of humankind. But forces far bigger than they ever imagined have insidious plans for the multiverse and its inhabitants.

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure

400 pages, Hardcover

Published May 11, 2021

About the author

Rebecca Caprara is a children's book author and illustrator. Her debut middle grade novel, THE MAGIC OF MELWICK ORCHARD, was selected as a 2019 "Must Read" by the Massachusetts Book Awards.

Her forthcoming novels include WORST-CASE COLLIN, a contemporary middle grade novel-in-verse to be published by Charlesbridge in Sept 2021; MISSION MULTIVERSE, the first in a new SciFi series publishing in 2021 with Abrams/Amulet; and SPIN, a YA novel-in-verse coming in 2023 with Atheneum/S&S.

Rebecca graduated from Cornell University and practiced architecture for several years, before shifting her focus from bricks to books. An avid globetrotter, she has lived in Italy, Singapore, and Canada. She is now growing roots in Massachusetts with her family.

Reviews

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cool book; the settings of the NASA on earth and the multidimensional meeting point are such great Sci-Fi settings. There’s a great balance between the classic Sci-Fi elements and having a fresh voice and story. Seeing the different dimensions life forms was also so interesting particularly seeing how some where more similar and some where drastically different. The characters were well written and I enjoyed seeing how the main characters used their marching band background to help them work together. The marching band bonds also brought some interesting back story and conflict to the book. It is a really fun and compelling story with a great cliff hanger ending that left me wanting more.

[MrsHughesReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots to love in this new middle grade sci-fi. A diverse cast of characters takes an unexpected detour into another dimension during a school field trip to NASA. The kids' family and friendship dynamics are well-written and relatable. The world-building is rich and at times complex, but engaging and original. Middle schoolers will devour this smart, fast-paced, and funny series.

[Erin Cashman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this action packed MG sci-fi! The world building was so unique and rich that I felt like I'd been transported to another world, right along side the kids. This book is exciting, funny, full of adventure, and features a fantastic cast of characters.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Dev Khatri's rules for surviving middle school were pretty simple: Don't speak up. Don't act out. Don't get your butt kicked.

Premise/plot: Mission Multiverse is a middle grade science fiction novel. There are a handful of young heroes and heroines--classmates, band mates--who, for better or worse--find themselves separated from their classmates during a tour of NASA on a school field trip. They stumble into a frightening, out-of-this-world experience and they might just be the key to saving earth (or Dimension 14 as its called).

Dev, Lewis, Tessa, Maeve, and Isaiah--these are our main (human) characters.

My thoughts: Mission Multiverse is a premise-driven middle grade novel. The premise being multiverses, parallel universes, multi-dimensions, aliens, etc. For those readers that enjoy science fiction and action, this one offers plenty. It feels very much like a first in the series book as opposed to a stand alone novel. If this is all we ever get, then there is no resolution. (Surely it's the start of a new series.)

Earth is in great danger--just thirty days away from THE END. Can these five representatives save Earth? Can they uncover the plots and schemes of the VILLAIN who's out to destroy Earth?

There is some world-building. We're not given a clear date--but I'm assuming that if Earth is THIS Earth, it's far in the future. If it's an alternate universe Earth--one of the author's imagination--then the dating doesn't truly matter. But things work differently on this Earth--for better or worse.

This does have a problem-novel feel to it as well. I think one of the agendas is climate change and the environment.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delegates of the Multiverse Allied Council are at a loss for what to do with Earth, a Dimension14 planet in such dire condition that its inevitable collapse will likely affect other dimensions. A group of seventh grade marching banders from Conroy Middle School are the answer, whether they know it yet or not. This first book sets the stage for worlds of future adventures.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dev and his fellow marching band “geeks” are off on a field trip to a NASA facility run by Dev’s dad. With the Earth experiencing increased seismic activity and extreme weather, the NASA lab is working to stabilize the planet. Things go wrong when an especially large quiver (mini-quake) hits during their field trip and Dev and his friends end up traveling to another dimension. This sci-fi adventure will have you on the edge of your seat and cheering on the band geeks as they try to return to their home while also working to save the multiverse. The cliffhanger ending hints at more to come.

[Sandra Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-packed and heartfelt with some wonderful zany bits sprinkled throughout.

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

While on a field trip to NASA's Gwen Research Center, 5 marching band members get transported to a parallel dimension.. Dev Khatri is an Indian American saxophonist and a physicist’s son. Lewis Wynner is an olive-skinned, prankster drummer. Tessa Hawthorne-Scott is a black, fashion-conscious daughter of a mayor and is masquerading as her clarinet-playing identical twin sister, Zoey. Isaiah Yoon is an anxious, gray-eyed, Asian who plays the trumpet. Maeve Green is a dramatic white oboist. Soon they find themselves on Station Liminus, a waypoint between different worlds. There, they learn that the Earth is destined for destruction in 30 days. To save Earth, the 5 kids must convince the Multiverse Allie Council not to destroy their home. They'll have to deal with hostile aliens, intergalactic transport malfunctioning, and unfamiliar customs. Will they succeed? The plot is well-developed and action-packed. The characters are realistic and memorable. Character dynamics are easy to believe and the world-building is well done. Fans of science fiction, adventure, and action will want to pick this one up.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid character development, fun adventures, and a nicely cohesive universe. Unfortunately, the plot dragged in places and the whole thing ended without resolution. Still, I will likely read the sequel, if/when it gets written.

Reviewed via ebook provided through NetGalley

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science fiction adventure where five middle school students accidentally travel to a multiverse space station and are mistaken for delegates tasked with saving the earth from destruction.