About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts expressing frustration with unfair rules or notices that adults do not always have the right answers. It is a perfect choice for the preteen who feels like an outsider and is beginning to look at the world with a more critical, independent eye. The story follows a young pilot named Lian who crashes on a remote planet and discovers a species being exploited by a group of human researchers. As she bonds with the gentle Lumpies, she must decide whether to follow orders or follow her conscience. Hoover explores deep questions of empathy, personhood, and the ethics of how we treat those who are different from us. While the sci-fi setting is imaginative and immersive, the emotional core is grounded in Lian's transition from a lonely, overlooked child to a young woman of conviction. It is a sophisticated read for ages 10 to 14 that respects a child's growing intellectual maturity without being overly dark or cynical.
