Homebound

Beloved and bestselling author John David Anderson returns with the conclusion to the epic sci-fi coming-of-age tale that began in Stowaway, which Booklist called "The Mandalorian meets Guardians of the Galaxy" in a starred review.

Leo Fender is no stranger to catastrophe, whether it’s the intergalactic war that took his mother’s life or the ongoing fight for his own. He’s seen his planet plundered, his ship attacked, his father kidnapped, and his brother go missing―and found himself stranded on a ship with a bunch of mercenary space pirates.

Still, nothing could have prepared him for the moment he and the crew tried to save his father...and discovered a dark plot that could destroy hundreds of worlds in the blink of an eye.

Now Leo is adrift. His father has sent him on a mission with nothing but a data chip and a name of someone who could help, and Captain Bastian Black and the crew of the Icarus are determined to see this through to the end with Leo, to fulfill his father’s wish and prevent further conflict.

But as Leo searches for answers, he can’t help but wonder what it would take to end the war, to track down his father and brother and return to whatever home they have left―and if the cost of doing so is one he would be able to pay.

• Found Family: Stranded in the void, Leo must learn to trust Captain Bastian Black and the ragtag crew of the Icarus. They might be his only hope—if they don’t sell him to the highest bidder first.
• Kidnapped Father: Leo’s father was taken by the enemy Djarik. Rescuing him is the mission, but it will lead Leo to uncover a secret that threatens entire worlds.
• Intergalactic War: The Aykari and the Djarik are locked in a brutal conflict, and humanity is caught in the middle. Leo will discover that in this war, there are no easy answers and no true good guys.
• Quest to Save the Galaxy: Armed with only a mysterious data chip, Leo is sent on a desperate mission to prevent a catastrophe of galactic proportions. But the price of peace might be higher than he can imagine.

John David Anderson is the author of more than a dozen acclaimed and beloved books for kids, including the New York Times Notable Book Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Posted, Granted, One Last Shot, Stowaway, The Greatest Kid in the World, Keep It Like a Secret, and many more. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wonderful wife, two frawesome kids, and a pair of mischievous kitties in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at johndavidanderson.org.