What This Book Is About
It is the year 2120, and Zack Nelson's family is moving from Dubbsville, Texas to the planet Nebulon. Not a new city and not a new country: a new planet. Zack is nervous about the whole thing, and once he arrives he misses Earth badly.
At Sprockets Academy he is the new boy, which is the real subject of the book. By the end of it he has made his first Nebulite friend, Drake Tucker. This is the first book in Ray O'Ryan's Galaxy Zack series, illustrated by Colin Jack, with short chapters and pictures throughout.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
For students at an international school like UWC, Zack's story hits close to home. Many of them have experienced exactly what Zack goes through—arriving in a new place where everything feels unfamiliar, from the food to the language to the social rules. The book validates those anxieties while showing that openness and curiosity can turn a scary new world into an exciting adventure.
The science fiction setting is the hook, but what the book is actually about is being the new child in a new school, and the relief of finding one friend. At an international school that is not a metaphor, it is term one.
Reading Level Guide
Building foundations? Start with picture books.
The sweet spot. Illustrations on every page and simple dialogue make this an ideal early chapter book.
A quick, easy read. Great for a fun afternoon.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.