A Journey Beyond the Nebula
Book 1
When thirteen-year-old inventor Zara Chen unearths a mysterious alien artifact beneath her family’s scrap yard, she must outrun a ruthless armada across ten uncharted worlds — or lose the galaxy’s greatest secret forever.
A Journey Beyond the Nebula is the first book in the Starbound series, a thrilling science fiction adventure for readers ages 10–15 (reading level Grade 4.7). Self-taught inventor Zara Chen has always been good at fixing things — but when she discovers a glowing artifact that reveals a star-map to ten unknown worlds, she’ll need more than mechanical skill to survive what comes next. With a stolen starship, a crew of unlikely alien friends, and a galaxy-spanning race against a merciless armada, Zara’s journey is packed with humor, heart, and wonder. Beneath the pulse-pounding action, this is a story about friendship across every kind of difference — species, language, and light-years of distance. Perfect for fans of space opera and readers who love resourceful heroines, Starbound delivers the message that the connections we build matter more than any treasure we seek.
Echoes of the Void
Book 2
When the artifact bonded to Zara begins whispering ancient memories into her mind, the crew of The Drifter must confront the Wayfarers’ darkest secrets — and their own — before the void swallows them all.
The thrilling second installment in the Starbound series launches readers back aboard The Drifter, where nothing is quite what it seemed. Zara is changing — hearing echoes only she can understand — and a crewmate’s buried secret threatens to tear the team apart just as a mysterious new faction emerges with knowledge that could reshape everything.
Ideal for ages 10–15 (reading level Grade 4.8), Echoes of the Void weaves genuine sci-fi wonder with emotionally rich storytelling about trust, identity, and the courage it takes to face uncomfortable truths about the people you love. Readers who devoured Book 1 will find deeper world-building, higher stakes, and characters growing in surprising ways. Perfect for fans of The Last Cuentista and A Wish in the Dark, this is a series that rewards thoughtful readers who like their adventures with heart.
The Shattered Compass
Book 3
When a catastrophic malfunction scatters her crew across different worlds, Zara must lead alone through a living labyrinth — while the ancient artifact guiding their ship reveals it has plans of its own.
The third book in the Starbound series launches readers into its most emotionally rich adventure yet. When the crew of The Drifter is separated across strange and dangerous worlds, young Zara faces her first true test of leadership — armed with nothing but courage and a failing signal from her AI companion. Meanwhile, her crewmates confront impossible alliances and discover abilities they never knew they had.
Perfect for ages 10-15 (reading level Grade 4.7), The Shattered Compass explores themes of independence, trust, and the courage it takes to lead when you feel most alone. Fans of series like The Last Cuentista and A Wrinkle in Time will find a lot to love here. With its suspenseful pacing and deeply human questions wrapped inside a galaxy-spanning mystery, this is a book that sparks real conversation — about loyalty, about growing up, and about what we’re willing to leave behind. Ideal for classroom read-alouds and book clubs looking for science fiction with heart.
The Gathering Storm
Book 4
When ORIN uncovers a secret coded into his very existence, the crew of the Starbound must prove they’re worthy to open a bridge between galaxies — before a devastating superweapon strands the stars forever.
The fourth installment in the beloved Starbound series raises the stakes higher than ever. As the crew reunites with unexpected allies — a defector with a dangerous past and an elder carrying ancient secrets — they discover that everything they’ve been chasing was never what it seemed. This isn’t a treasure hunt. It’s a test.
Perfect for readers ages 10–15 (reading level Grade 4.8), The Gathering Storm weaves epic sci-fi adventure with deeply resonant themes: identity, sacrifice, what makes us worthy, and the courage it takes to carry others forward. Fans of The Last Cuentista and Nevermoor will find a story that respects young readers’ intelligence while delivering breathless, heart-pounding action. Teachers and book clubs will find rich discussion material around loyalty, moral complexity, and chosen family. New to the series? Start with Starbound Book 1 — but be warned, your reader won’t want to stop.
The Bridge Between Stars
Book 5
When Zara reaches the edge of known space and discovers the true purpose of the Wayfarers’ ancient puzzle, she must choose between opening a bridge that could unite galaxies — or destroy it to save everything she loves.
The epic finale of the Starbound series has arrived. In this fifth and final installment, Zara and her crew journey to a planet where reality itself begins to unravel — and where every friendship, sacrifice, and hard-won lesson from their adventures will be put to the ultimate test. With a galaxy-spanning armada closing in and an impossible choice ahead, Zara must decide what connection truly means and what it’s worth risking to achieve it. Rich with themes of trust, diversity, courage, and the power of bonds forged across difference, this is a story that rewards readers who’ve grown alongside these characters. Suitable for ages 10–15 with a 4.9 grade reading level, The Bridge Between Stars delivers a satisfying, emotionally resonant conclusion that parents, teachers, and librarians will want to discuss long after the final page.