Space Adventure

TFK Kid Reporter Axel Foster read Aku: Journey to Ibra and interviewed Micah Johnson, its author. Read Axel’s thoughts below.

Arthur Keaton Underwood, or Aku, is just a “regular” boy who loves video games and baseball, until he happens upon his missing grandfather’s astronaut helmet. Joined by his two best friends, Aku makes an intergalactic journey. On Planet Ibra, he meets the creatures who live there and learns about the native plants. But not all of Ibra’s inhabitants are friendly. Aku and his pals must face invaders attempting to destroy Ibra’s precious resources—and anything, or anyone, that tries to get in the way. On this adventure, Aku discovers that heroes aren’t always who people imagine them to be. In confronting his hero, Aku becomes one himself.

If Aku is familiar to TIME for Kids readers, it might be because he’s been in TFK before. Author Micah Johnson is an artist and former Major League Baseball player. He created Aku to show the world that, with big dreams, anything’s possible.

Johnson told TFK he wanted to “create a world where kids can get lost in their imaginations.” He says Aku shows young readers that it’s human to “not always be a superhero.” In life, Johnson adds, “failure is inevitable. You’re going to fail, and you’re still great.” He wants aspiring authors, athletes, and artists to “focus on consistency”: “Work on getting better every day, as it will carry you for the rest of your life.”

Aku: Journey to Ibra is the perfect book for readers who love adventure, space travel, true friendship, and a superhero kid who doesn’t always hit it out of the park but never gives up.