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The Starlight Rebel: Perfect for readers aged 9+, a thrilling and big-hearted sci-fi adventure set in Earth's distant future!
A sci-fi adventure full of heart - perfect for fans of Ross Welford!
Longlisted for the James Reckitt Hull Children's Book Award 2026
In the future, the most underestimated person on the planet may be the only one who can save it.
The year is 3897, and life on Earth is a neon dream, all flashing lights and buzzy noise – and no one remembers that behind the illuminated shell above them there's a night sky filled with stars.
As she turns 11, neurodivergent, freckled Astrifer Nova is nothing like her sporty, high-achieving twin brother, Blaze. And on the day of her Work Path Allocation ceremony which determines the course of her life, she is crushed when she gets assigned to something as boring as the sock factory.
But all is not as it seems, and as she uncovers layers of hidden truths all around her, Astrifer discovers that the world is bigger than she ever imagined – and that it’s up to her and a motley crew of new friends (including one from very far away) to challenge the status quo. Turns out, their differences may be exactly what the planet needs…
Longlisted for the James Reckitt Hull Children's Book Award 2026
In the future, the most underestimated person on the planet may be the only one who can save it.
The year is 3897, and life on Earth is a neon dream, all flashing lights and buzzy noise – and no one remembers that behind the illuminated shell above them there's a night sky filled with stars.
As she turns 11, neurodivergent, freckled Astrifer Nova is nothing like her sporty, high-achieving twin brother, Blaze. And on the day of her Work Path Allocation ceremony which determines the course of her life, she is crushed when she gets assigned to something as boring as the sock factory.
But all is not as it seems, and as she uncovers layers of hidden truths all around her, Astrifer discovers that the world is bigger than she ever imagined – and that it’s up to her and a motley crew of new friends (including one from very far away) to challenge the status quo. Turns out, their differences may be exactly what the planet needs…
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2025
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 24, 2025
Ready to go on an out-of-this-world read that will launch readers into a thrilling sci-fi adventure packed with heart, humour, and hope?
In a dazzling future where Earth has hidden the stars, 11-year-old Astrifer Nova has been discriminated against her whole life because of her unusual freckles and now is stuck with her allocated job in a sock factory. But when she uncovers a secret that could bring back the stars, she’s thrust into an interstellar adventure with a rag-tag but rebellious crew on a mission that defies everything she’s been told.
Lisette Auton writes inclusive fiction that makes children feel truly seen. She takes readers on a neon-lit story that proves the most unexpected heroes can shine the brightest, especially when the stars have gone out.
In a dazzling future where Earth has hidden the stars, 11-year-old Astrifer Nova has been discriminated against her whole life because of her unusual freckles and now is stuck with her allocated job in a sock factory. But when she uncovers a secret that could bring back the stars, she’s thrust into an interstellar adventure with a rag-tag but rebellious crew on a mission that defies everything she’s been told.
Lisette Auton writes inclusive fiction that makes children feel truly seen. She takes readers on a neon-lit story that proves the most unexpected heroes can shine the brightest, especially when the stars have gone out.
July 5, 2025
An absolutely delightful read. Although i'm not the intended target audience ( i'm 52) i thoroughly enjoyed it. Sits somewhere between Harry Potter and E T. kids will love it..
August 2, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. My son loved it too
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews