Chris Soul

'Champions of the Galaxy' is a whole lot of fun. Aliens? Tick. Weird sci-fi technology? Tick. High stakes mind-bending tasks? Tick. Geeks and brilliant neurodivergent characters? Tick. This is a twisty and propulsive adventure with the entire Earth in peril with only kids able to save the day. There is not enough sci-fi for children but this one is an absolute blast: a must! Guardians of the Galaxy meets Stars Wars!  What could be better?

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When a powerful group of aliens threaten Earth, a mysterious species called the Onni offers humanity hope. But there’s a catch. Ninety-one children from across the planet must first prove their worth by competing in a series of trials set on a distant planet. For twelve-year-old Kola, who has long dreamed of going into space, it’s the chance of a lifetime. But once aboard the Onni mothership, Kola finds himself thrown into a misfit team of Champions....

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I loved Kola and found his story to be so empowering and thoughtful. This is a story about teamwork and belief, but it is also just a wonderful considered sci-fi: cinematic in scope but also full of inspiring technical ideas and heartfelt relationships. Fab!

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https://www.waterstones.com/book/champions-of-the-galaxy/tol-okogwu/9781398523159

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