Aku: Journey to Ibra - Softcover

Johnson, Micah

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0593811801 ISBN 13: 9780593811801

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2026

Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Blast off into a sci-fi adventure in this electrifying debut novel starring Aku—the groundbreaking 3D character who graced the cover of TIME Magazine.

This special paperback edition features cosmic sprayed edges as well as interior covers displaying a curated selection of the same Aku fan art as the hardcover.

"The plot is compelling and fast paced, with nonstop adventure....An entertaining sci-fi romp with grounded, real-world tween struggles."—School Library Journal

Aku has always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. It’s easier to picture life among the stars than deal with the bully at school—or the pain of his grandfather’s mysterious disappearance. But when a strange space helmet shows up in his basement, Aku is pulled into something far bigger than he ever imagined.

The space helmet doesn’t just look cool—it teleports him to Ibra, a distant planet under siege. There, precious Lunaberries are being stolen by a ruthless space militia, and Aku’s grandfather may be the key to stopping them. With the help of his best friends and a few unlikely allies, Aku must dream bigger than ever before, find the courage to lead, and discover that bravery isn’t about having no fear—it’s about rising above it.

About this title

About the Author

Micah Johnson, a former Major League Baseball player turned artist, is the creator of the phenomenon that is Aku. After overhearing a young boy ask his mom if astronauts could be Black, Micah was inspired to create Aku, a 3D animated boy wearing an oversized astronaut helmet. That same year, Micah created a fine art piece that catapulted him from retired athlete to creator of the “2020 NFT of the Year." Aku: Journey to Ibra is Aku's origin story and Micah's first book. He lives in Maine with his wife and daughter.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593811801
• ISBN 13: 9780593811801
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Van Der Meer Durk
• Number of pages: 224