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The First Boy in Space: Skipping School Amongst The Stars
The year is 2050. The climate is in chaos, Barnsley is a broken town, and the Lightnings are eating from food banks.
Lucy lost her hairdressing job to a robot, and her 12-year-old son is being bullied at school.
So when science geek, Alfie, gets the chance to join an LA-based space mission, it doesn't take Lucy long to agree to join him.
This is a fast-paced, comedy-adventure, that is both down-to-earth and literally out of this world!
Embarrassing incidents, mind-blowing science, teenage love, crime, and a terrifying alien adventure, The First Boy in Space makes social media look like your grandmother's meeting!
WARNING: Contains a sweary mother, a sweary grandad in a string vest, and an alien that gets his head blown off. 13+
Lucy lost her hairdressing job to a robot, and her 12-year-old son is being bullied at school.
So when science geek, Alfie, gets the chance to join an LA-based space mission, it doesn't take Lucy long to agree to join him.
This is a fast-paced, comedy-adventure, that is both down-to-earth and literally out of this world!
Embarrassing incidents, mind-blowing science, teenage love, crime, and a terrifying alien adventure, The First Boy in Space makes social media look like your grandmother's meeting!
WARNING: Contains a sweary mother, a sweary grandad in a string vest, and an alien that gets his head blown off. 13+
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2024
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5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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May 11, 2025Got this because the author commented on a tik-tok of mine and said he reckons he’s the modern day H.G Wells (I respect the hyperbolic marketing because it worked)
Probably should have just been a younger teen book and have the swearing taken out. Feels like it’s trying to be a ‘get the kids into science through a fun story’ book and also a slightly edgy ‘woah this book has a kid that says fuck’.
Easy read of course as it’s directed towards younger people, I truly believe this author should just fully lean into writing educational fun stories for kids and leave out the edgy humour and profanity. Also don’t make 75% of the humour and dialogue incredibly specific to Yorkshire slang and dialect bro I get that the author is clearly from there but that narrows down the relatability and the audience so much
Probably should have just been a younger teen book and have the swearing taken out. Feels like it’s trying to be a ‘get the kids into science through a fun story’ book and also a slightly edgy ‘woah this book has a kid that says fuck’.
Easy read of course as it’s directed towards younger people, I truly believe this author should just fully lean into writing educational fun stories for kids and leave out the edgy humour and profanity. Also don’t make 75% of the humour and dialogue incredibly specific to Yorkshire slang and dialect bro I get that the author is clearly from there but that narrows down the relatability and the audience so much
April 13, 2025
The First Boy in Space
Being from Barnsley and a fellow Barnsley writer, I was really excited to read this so when it popped up on Kindle Unlimited, I gave it a go. I am not a teenager, but I have taught English to teens for almost two decades and think it totally hits the mark for that age group.
First Boy in Space by PM White is a heartwarming and thrilling debut that blends sci-fi adventure with real-world issues like climate change and resource scarcity. Twelve-year-old Alfie, an ordinary boy from Barnsley, joins a space mission with his mum, and what follows is a fast-paced, imaginative journey packed with humour, regional charm, and emotional depth. Alfie’s wit, loyalty, and the vivid characters stay with you long after reading. Though it contains some strong language, older kids and teens will find it both entertaining and thought-provoking. A refreshing, down-to-earth space tale that’s truly out of this world!
Being from Barnsley and a fellow Barnsley writer, I was really excited to read this so when it popped up on Kindle Unlimited, I gave it a go. I am not a teenager, but I have taught English to teens for almost two decades and think it totally hits the mark for that age group.
First Boy in Space by PM White is a heartwarming and thrilling debut that blends sci-fi adventure with real-world issues like climate change and resource scarcity. Twelve-year-old Alfie, an ordinary boy from Barnsley, joins a space mission with his mum, and what follows is a fast-paced, imaginative journey packed with humour, regional charm, and emotional depth. Alfie’s wit, loyalty, and the vivid characters stay with you long after reading. Though it contains some strong language, older kids and teens will find it both entertaining and thought-provoking. A refreshing, down-to-earth space tale that’s truly out of this world!
July 20, 2025
📚The First Boy in Space
✍️PM White
3⭐️
The First Boy in Space follows Alfie and his mum after he wins a competition to accompany a team of astronauts to a planet over 2 years away to try and find solutions for the global warming that is ravaging earth. Aimed at young adults, this was a really clever, funny and engaging way of introducing the environmental issues of our world and an interest in space. Reading this as an adult, I would have liked a little more information on how the situation on earth had deteriorated, but I think it was pitched perfectly for younger readers. Occasionally the dialogue felt very clunky, as if the author was trying too hard to be funny but I loved the Yorkshire-isms and the dialogue being written with a Yorkshire accent. All the different plot elements came together nicely at the end, with a really clever, subtle ending.
✍️PM White
3⭐️
The First Boy in Space follows Alfie and his mum after he wins a competition to accompany a team of astronauts to a planet over 2 years away to try and find solutions for the global warming that is ravaging earth. Aimed at young adults, this was a really clever, funny and engaging way of introducing the environmental issues of our world and an interest in space. Reading this as an adult, I would have liked a little more information on how the situation on earth had deteriorated, but I think it was pitched perfectly for younger readers. Occasionally the dialogue felt very clunky, as if the author was trying too hard to be funny but I loved the Yorkshire-isms and the dialogue being written with a Yorkshire accent. All the different plot elements came together nicely at the end, with a really clever, subtle ending.
June 25, 2025
A perfect family YA Sci-fi that is a whimsical fun read with a nice message and satisfying conclusion. I had a great time with this one, a pallete cleanser that I was actually a little sad didn't actually expand a lot more into certain aspects of the story especially the Alian planet.
I do however believe it does exactly what it intended to do, portray an authors desire to write a story his teenage self would have loved to read. I highly recommend it if you want an easy, quick and satisfying read. Bare in mind this is a YA novel targeted at a younger audience and you will have a great time.
Thoroughly enjoyable read.
I do however believe it does exactly what it intended to do, portray an authors desire to write a story his teenage self would have loved to read. I highly recommend it if you want an easy, quick and satisfying read. Bare in mind this is a YA novel targeted at a younger audience and you will have a great time.
Thoroughly enjoyable read.
February 7, 2025
A Cosmic Adventure
I just finished reading it, and I'm still reeling from the experience! This book is a wildly entertaining ride that's out of this world!
What I Loved:
1. Alfie's witty banter, cleverness, and loyalty to his mum made me instantly love him.
2. The regional accents and slang added a layer of realism that made the characters feel like friends.
3. Exploring Myronium, an Earth-like planet, was both thrilling and educational.
Perfect for teens and young adults who enjoy sci-fi, adventure, and humor.
I just finished reading it, and I'm still reeling from the experience! This book is a wildly entertaining ride that's out of this world!
What I Loved:
1. Alfie's witty banter, cleverness, and loyalty to his mum made me instantly love him.
2. The regional accents and slang added a layer of realism that made the characters feel like friends.
3. Exploring Myronium, an Earth-like planet, was both thrilling and educational.
Perfect for teens and young adults who enjoy sci-fi, adventure, and humor.
June 25, 2025
A coming of age story about one boy's attempts to help save the planet.
This book was a hoot! As well as tackling serious issues like climate change, this book teaches us about found family, fitting in, and what it's like to be 12 with thoughts and feelings that we may not always understand.
A lot of facts and information adorn the pages of this book, making this not only a fun tale about a young boy in space but also educational for the reader.
Perfect for teen readers, and even as a 37 year old adult, I still had a great time reading this book.
This book was a hoot! As well as tackling serious issues like climate change, this book teaches us about found family, fitting in, and what it's like to be 12 with thoughts and feelings that we may not always understand.
A lot of facts and information adorn the pages of this book, making this not only a fun tale about a young boy in space but also educational for the reader.
Perfect for teen readers, and even as a 37 year old adult, I still had a great time reading this book.
September 13, 2025
What an adventure. This truly is a fabulous read. It’s got everything from funny moments to current affairs with a touch of romance and plenty of fabulous relatable characters. A book to take you on a rollercoaster ride through imaginary spaces in familiar places. An enjoyable read from an author with a talented mind. Buy this book I can’t recommend it enough if you want to relax into a world where Alfie is everyone’s hero.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews