Mission Multiverse
(Mission Multiverse #1)

On a field trip to NASA's Gwen Research Center in Conroy, Ohio, a quintet of middle school marching band members is transported to a parallel dimension after a mysterious portal-opening device is accidentally activated. Indian American saxophonist and physicist's son Dev Khatri; olive-skinned, prank-playing drummer Lewis Wynner; Black, fashion-conscious mayor's daughter Tessa Hawthorne-Scott (masquerading as her clarinet-playing identical twin sister, Zoey); anxious, gray-eyed, implied Asian trumpeter Isaiah Yoon; and dramatic white oboist Maeve Greene are whisked away to Station Liminus, a waypoint between different worlds. There, they learn that Earth is destined for destruction in 30 days unless they can convince the Multiverse Allied Council, which represents the known dimensions, to help. In this fast-paced intergalactic romp, Caprara (The Magic of Melwick Orchard) introduces an inclusive cast of memorable characters, who must deal with hostile aliens, unfamiliar customs, and the fate of the world as they know it. Elements including the sprawling cast and myriad dimensions may overwhelm at times, but Caprara successfully maintains excitement throughout this action-packed series opener, even while focusing on characters' individual issues and dynamics. Ages 8-12. Agent: Christa Heschke, McIntosh and Otis. (May)

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Caprara's brisk storytelling and smooth juggling of out-of-this-world characters and settings, the situation's high stakes are easy to grasp, and readers will anticipate how things unfold in the next entry.