Skyward: Claim the Stars by Brandon Sanderson - ESSENTIAL

Skyward: Claim the Stars by Brandon Sanderson, 510 pages.  Delacorte Press (Random), 2018.  $19.99  

Language: PG (5 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Referenced Violence: PG-13

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Spensa, 17yo, lives on the planet Detritus which has been under attack by a mysterious alien race for hundreds of years. Everyone lives underground and the planet is orbited by a debris field that falls to the earth without warning. Spensa has always dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot and reclaiming her family’s reputation. Right now, they are labeled as cowards because her father fled the most famous air battle, The Battle of Alta, and was unceremoniously killed. Spensa is a loner and a rebel from the poor caverns near the ground, but wants to fit in. She struggles to find her way when her father’s old wingmate allows her to attend his flight classes, but does she really want to discover these long hidden secrets about herself, her father, and her world as she learns to fly and soar amongst the stars?

Sanderson’s world immediately engaging and his heroine Spensa is complex and relatable. Sanderson uses a few predictable young adult tropes, but they not used to full over-dramatic effect. No full blown love story, no self harm, and no full government overthrow. Instead, there are hints to Spensa softening to others caring about her and not always having to be alone; her seeing that hurting herself or putting herself in danger is not courage; and a long crumbling government beginning to finally fall and everyone being there to help pick up the pieces. This is going to be a series and I am excited to read the next installments. No blood or gore, but people do die in air raids and plane fights, but the effect of death on the people left behind is explored and I appreciate that as a reader. All in all, this is an engaging and well written book and the pages fly by. 

D. Wecker, ELA Teacher