Aku: Journey to Ibra

by Micah Johnson

When 12-year-old daydreamer Aku inherits an astronaut helmet from his dead grandmother, he gains the power to transport himself throughout the metaverse. Now, he has no choice but to become the space hero he always wanted to be.

Aku loves space. He loves playing space-themed role-playing games with his best friends, Benji and Trae, and he dreams of becoming an astronaut. Otherwise insecure—especially at school, where he's bullied—Aku is most comfortable at the local planetarium. So, when his grandmother dies and leaves him an astronaut helmet, Aku thinks it's the coolest thing ever.

...scratch that...

Discovering that the helmet can transport him through space is the coolest thing ever.

The helmet lets Aku travel back and forth between Earth and the planet Ibra, where he meets extraterrestrial friends and explores their fascinating planet. On Ibra, there are no bullies. On Ibra, Aku can be his most Aku self. Benji and Trae come along, too, and the three friends find their happy place.

But their joy is short lived.

Aku's visits open a rift in the universe, allowing space soldiers to invade Ibra and steal its most precious the lunaberry. If Aku doesn't figure something out quickly, his joyful adventures could spell doom for an entire planet.

This dazzling first book in a series is the origin story of cultural phenomenon Aku, a 3D character and NFT that has graced the cover of TIME Magazine and inspired metaverse lovers everywhere.

224 pages, Library Binding

First published March 3, 2026

About the author

Micah Johnson, MD, is a physician and a health care researcher, writer, and policy advisor. He served as a health policy fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives and has advised presidential campaigns on health care reform. He holds a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from the University of Oxford where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and he received his MD from Harvard Medical School. He is currently a resident physician in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Tanya Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am using this book in my classroom and the students are very engaged. It has been quite easy creating activities to go along with each of the chapters, giving students various ways to interact with the book. We are all enjoying our literature circle time with Aku!

[Cathy Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I enjoyed this book so much! This book is perfect for upper-elementary and middle-grades fans of science fiction and other-worldly adventure. I didn't really know what to expect going into this book, but I was pleasantly surprised to read quite a unique story, similar in vibe to some other middle-grades sci-fi I've read, but set apart by the depth and creativity of the world-building. I loved the illustrations and appreciated being able to see the author's vision of what the MCs and the other world and its people looked like. The character writing was very strong -- I was rooting hard for the 3 MCs the whole way through, and Bizzy had me laughing out loud.

Too often, the theme of evil humans and cute ewok-like bubbly aliens can feel cartoonish and cheesy, but here it felt just right. There's a lot of heart in this story. The ending sets us up nicely for a sequel, and I can't wait to read it. Very impressed that this is a debut novel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by the publisher

Aku (a nickname using his initials) and his friends Benji and Trae like to play the video game Star Tribute, which is put out by astronaut Nash Altair's company. It takes Aku's mind off the fact that his grandfather went on a work trip and has been missing for a while. His mother, a high school nurse, and his father, an electrical contractor, are struggling with this, as is Aku. When he finds a space helmet in the basement, he is astonished when it telelports him away to the planet Ibra in the Void Galaxy. The helmet tells him that his grandfather is alive on the planet, so Aku wants to find him. He sees the Avalunas, small creatures who take care of the Lunaberry trees, but also is chased by Floratron Crunchers and is pulled back to Earth. The next time he travels, he takes Benji and Tae with him. They find out that the Lunaberries are crucial to the survival of the planet, and after an Avaluna steals the helmet, the kids travel to the city and find that Nash Altair has set this up and is drawing power from the berries. Aku's grandfather is most likely being held in the Retention Tower. I'm trying to escape Nash's men, the kids meet the Avaluna Queen Orax, and learn that his grandfather was trying to save Ibra from the devastation Nash is wreaking. They also meet Bizzy, an Avaluna who is an inventor and helps them. He has come up with a planetary shield that might save the day, but needs the helmet to scan the grandfather's retinas to put the shield up. With his helmet returned, and Benji and Tae fitted out with an AstroBeat and Holospecs, the group heads to the Retention Tower to try to free Grandpa Underwood. Will Aku and his friends be able to save his grandfather, capture Nash, and make sure that the Avalunas and the Lunaberry trees can survive?
Strengths: Aku's journey was a fast paced, exciting adventure on a troubled planet, and his desire to rescue his grandfather will resonate with young readers. Ibra is an interesting planet, and the Lunaberries reminded me a little of the Truffala trees in Seuss' The Lorax! It's great to see that Aku is interesting in inventing and science, and that Trae is a good computer hacker. While we don't see a lot of Aku's home life, what we do see is very supportive, and there's a nice thread about his father wanting to spend more time with him even though he is sad about the grandfather being missing. It was fun to see the family dinners. Making Nash Altair the villain was a good twist, and I loved that the kids stopped playing the video games put out by his company after their adventures. The teleporting technology of the helmet was very cool, and the end of the book makes it look like there could be more adventures in space. The author was motivated to create Aku after he heard a boy asking his mother if there could be Black astronauts, and he has worked to encourage young people to follow their dreams, which is certainly a positive message.
Weaknesses: I'm a little conflicted about this title, since Aku started out as an NFT. I rarely buy books based on video games or YouTube channels, but NFTs are definitely new to the world of children's literature. There are a couple of instances of product placement in the story, when Aku's father is reading Time magazine, which featured Aku on the cover. Mr. Johnson is a baseball player, and I certainly have bought sports books written by sports stars. The writing is fine, although there are a lot of plot holes that younger readers will skip right over. (E.G. How do we know that ALL of the Lunaberry trees on the entire planet have been destroyed? And would Aku's few seeds really be able to revitalize Ibra?) I'm very curious to see what other readers think of this book.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed science fiction adventures like Richter's The Star of Moon Village, Smith's Project Mercury, Cervantes' Anomalies 53: Into the Shadows, or Brooks' Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont.

[Katie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, the descriptive language pulls you into a world that feels expansive, hopeful, and alive. The imagery is so vivid you can see, feel, and step inside the story. The landscapes, the emotions, the wonder. Every word is intentional and beautifully crafted.

What moved me most is how this book brings imagination back to kids’ & adults’ minds. In a world of fast scrolling and short attention spans, Aku: Journey to Ibra it captures the it and pulls you into the world with it with beautifully descriptive imagery. It invites children to dream bigger, to picture themselves in distant galaxies, to believe in possibility. The storytelling stretches their creativity instead of shrinking it.

It’s not just an adventure it’s a reminder that imagination is powerful. That courage is learned. That purpose can begin with a single dream.

[Dave Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic middle grade book!!

From the very first page, Aku: Journey to Ibra grabs you with a fun, engaging story that feels immediately relatable to readers of all ages. What makes this book shine is the adventure, vivid world and dynamic between Aku and his friends, who feel real and interact with genuine warmth and humor throughout their adventure. The world Micah Johnson creates is vivid and immersive, and the pacing never lets up, pulling you through this thrilling space adventure from start to finish. Beyond the excitement, Johnson weaves a powerful message about resilience and the courage it takes to dream big and discover that bravery isn’t about having no fear, but about facing it head on. A fantastic debut that will leave readers excited for more.

[Danny Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Aku: Journey to Ibra is written with younger readers in mind, it’s the kind of story that reminds adults what it feels like to dream like a kid again. The book moves with great energy and adventure, making it a fun page turner from beginning to end.

Beyond the adventure, the heart of the story carries a powerful message about believing in yourself and never giving up on your dreams. Dream big and keep going.

Whether you’re brand new to the world of Aku or have been following the journey since the very beginning, this is a meaningful and enjoyable read for all ages. A great reminder that imagination and dreams have no limits.

[Diana Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! It encourages kids to follow their dreams.