Mr. Muffins: Defender of the Stars

A 2026 Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction List Pick

"An enchanting space opera in which aliens and humans find common ground despite differing cultures, foods, and worlds, and learn the true meaning of home." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Defender of the cosmos! Vanquisher of evil! Failure at frisbee??

Corgi shenanigans, epic space battles, and intergalactic heroes abound in this uplifting, action-packed adventure about the powerful connection between humans and their pets from GLAAD Media Award nominee Ben Kahn (Renegade Rule, Elle Campbell Wins Their Weekend) and illustrator Georgeo Brooks (Immortals Fenyx Rising: From Great Beginnings).

Eleven-year-old Reuben Mahmud just wants a break. When he takes his pet corgi, Mr. Muffins, to the park, he expects to get just that—a break. But what he gets instead is an alien invasion right smack dab in the middle of his neighborhood! Oh! And apparently Mr. Muffins is the chosen one destined to save the galaxy? This should be interesting . . .

Dragged into the middle of an epic space war, Reuben learns that the fate of the entire galaxy rests in Mr. Muffins’s adorable corgi paws. It’s going to take a lot more than tail wagging and butt waddling to end this war. To turn the tide of the conflict, intergalactic soldier Cassara must show Mr. Muffins how to tap into his cosmic power and be the hero the galaxy needs him to be. But when Mr. Muffins is separated from Reuben and a formidable giant mech-corgi arrives to conquer the world, Mr. Muffins’s powers are put to the test. Will Reuben be able to rise to the occasion to help his fluffy best friend? Do Cassara, Reuben, and Mr. Muffins have what it takes to end this war once and for all?

Ben Kahn is an Ignatz award-nominated writer whose work includes Heavenly Blues, Gryffen: Galaxy's Most Wanted, and Renegade Rule. Kahn's work spans a variety of genres, but with a consistent focus on character and comedy. Based out of New York, Kahn spends most of their time working on new stories, or trying to play with a kitty who'd really rather be left alone.