About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the arrival of a third wheel in their favorite friendship. It is the perfect choice for a young reader who feels possessive of a sibling or best friend and needs to see that adding a new person to the group does not mean being replaced. Val is excited for the town fair until her brother Wallace invites his friend Carlos along, making Val feel like the odd one out. When a science fiction twist sends the trio into a high stakes asteroid belt, Val must learn to collaborate with Carlos to save the mission. This chapter book is ideal for ages 6 to 9, offering a gentle but effective model for managing jealousy, practicing teamwork, and discovering that more friends can actually mean more fun. It bridges the gap between early readers and longer novels with engaging space themes and relatable social dilemmas.
