The Far Shore
Book 1
When teenage captain Zara crosses into an unknown galaxy expecting allies, she finds a fractured alien civilization on the brink of war — and if she can’t unite them, humanity’s only bridge to the stars will be sealed forever.
The first book in the Stardust Wanderer Beyond series launches readers into a thrilling first-contact story with real depth. Zara and the crew of the Stardust Wanderer arrive in a new galaxy expecting to meet an ancient, wise civilization — only to discover the Wayfarers are as messy, divided, and complicated as humanity itself. What follows is a gripping adventure about diplomacy, courage, and the hard truth that showing up with open hands doesn’t mean everyone will shake them.
Perfect for ages 10–15 (reading level Grade 5.2), this novel tackles big themes — prejudice, leadership under pressure, and finding common ground with people who fear you — all wrapped in a fast-paced, wonder-filled space adventure with sharp humor and a cast readers won’t forget. Ideal for fans of The Last Cuentista and A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking. An excellent choice for classroom discussions on conflict resolution, cultural difference, and what it truly means to listen.
The Fractured Council
Book 2
When Zara is summoned before a fractured alien council, her crew is scattered as hostages — and a hidden saboteur is destroying the only bridge home.
Book Club / Parent Description
The adventure deepens in this second installment of the Stardust Wanderer Beyond series. Zara and her crew face their most complex challenge yet — not a monster or a battle, but politics. Held as “guests” across rival faction territories, Zara must navigate centuries of alien grudges while keeping her team from falling apart. Meanwhile, a mystery is growing — literally — in the DNA of an alien world’s plant life.
Perfect for ages 10–15 (reading level Grade 5.8), this book layers genuine tension and political intrigue with humor and heart. Readers will find rich themes of leadership, trust, and the courage it takes to speak up when powerful people refuse to listen. Fans of the first book will love watching Zara grow from explorer to diplomat — while Fen’s botanical discovery adds a spine-tingling new dimension to the series. A fantastic pick for readers who enjoy smart sci-fi with real stakes.
The Deep Current
Book 3
When ORIN uncovers a secret buried in his programming and the crew plunges into a region where physics itself bends, they must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to save two galaxies.
The Starbound Beyond series reaches thrilling new depths in Book 3. When the Bridge connecting two galaxies begins to collapse, the crew of the Stardust Wanderer must venture into the Deep Current — a mysterious zone of warped space-time that even the ancient Wayfarers fear to enter. This installment explores powerful themes of sacrifice, identity, and what it means to carry secrets you never knew you had. Readers ages 10–15 (reading level Grade 4.8) will connect deeply with ORIN’s journey of self-discovery and Lira’s impossible choice between personal cost and the greater good. Perfect for fans of science fiction who love heart alongside their adventure, this is a story about how far we’ll go for the people — and the worlds — we love. Best enjoyed after reading Books 1 and 2 in the Stardust Wanderer Beyond series.
The Last Accord
Book 4
Two galaxies are on the brink of war, a saboteur is tearing apart the only bridge between them, and one young diplomat must broker an impossible peace before everything collapses.
The thrilling fourth installment in the Stardust Wanderer Beyond series delivers its most emotionally powerful story yet. When the Bridge connecting two galaxies begins to fail and a hidden saboteur is unmasked, the crew of the Wayfarer faces impossible choices. Captain Vex risks everything on a dangerous crossing, quiet-hearted Brix discovers that kindness can be its own kind of diplomacy, and Zara must negotiate a peace treaty between civilizations that have every reason to walk away.
Ideal for readers ages 10–15 (reading level Grade 4.9), this book explores themes of trust, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to build bridges — literal and otherwise — when the world wants to tear them down. A fantastic pick for young readers who love high-stakes adventure with real emotional depth. New to the series? Start with Book 1 to experience the full journey.
The Constellation
Book 5
The Bridge between two galaxies is dying, and Captain Zara must unite rival civilizations — with no safety net — before the connection that holds everything together is lost forever.
The epic finale of the Stardust Wanderer Beyond series delivers everything readers have been waiting for. In this fifth and final installment, Captain Zara and her crew face their greatest challenge yet: saving the failing Bridge that connects two galaxies — but only if ancient enemies can learn to truly trust each other.
Rich with themes of cooperation, courage, and the daily choice to stay connected even when it’s hard, this is a story that grows with its readers. Young fans will race through pulse-pounding action sequences, while the emotional core — about what we owe each other across difference — lingers long after the last page. Perfect for readers ages 10-15 (reading level Grade 4.8) who love character-driven sci-fi with heart. A wonderful choice for classroom discussions about trust, leadership, and building bridges that last.