Galaxy Jones and the Space Pirates

by Briana McDonald (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

From the author of Pepper's Rules for Secret Sleuthing and The Secrets of Stone Creek comes a rip-roaring middle grade space adventure about a girl who is determined to save her family and friends from ruthless pirates--even if she has to venture across the universe to do it.

Galaxy Jones lives on the very, very edge of a star system in an inn run by her dads. She loves her home and her little family, but ever since the train station that serviced their part of the universe went defunct, tourists have stopped coming, and Lexi's on the verge of losing it all. When the royal family stops at their inn on the way to a neighboring star system, Lexi's dads hope for some good business, but Lexi knows from past experience with spoiled Prince Weston--and his annoying dog, Comet--to expect nothing but trouble.

Turns out, that "trouble" is a whole lot bigger than she anticipated. Weston has stolen something. Even worse, he's stolen it from notorious pirates--former followers of Lexi's idol, the famous pirate Astro Bonny--who have tracked him straight to her house. Problem is, Weston has lost the trinket somewhere in deep space. And now the pirates are holding all the adults hostage with the threat of destroying the inn if they can't find what they've come for.

Lucky for Weston, Lexi has a plan. In exchange for his help saving the family business, she will use all her skills and embrace the adventurous spirit of the great Astro Bonny to help him find whatever it is the pirates are after. With some pluck, and a whole lot of luck, she might just pull it off--and make an unexpected friend along the way.

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Kirkus Reviews

More comic opera than space opera, with a heavy payload of life lessons to boot. 

Publishers Weekly

All her life, tween Galaxy Jones has helped her fathers run their inn, located in the outer solar system. Business has dropped off, however, since most people relocated further inward toward the central system. The arrival of the solar system's royal family is much-needed, if troublesome, as the royals have a reputation for being difficult to please, especially their tween son--and Lexi's archnemesis--Prince Weston. But when space pirates appear in pursuit of an item that Weston stole from them, and subsequently lost, it's up to Lexi to help Weston retrieve the treasure to save their families and her home. As they rocket through space, facing off against perilous intergalactic hazards, the unlikely pair confront their past conflict and uncover unexpected similarities. McDonald (The Secrets of Stone Creek) crafts an interstellar landscape that adheres more to flights of fancy than physics or logic, and juxtaposes the ever-shifting environment with Lexi's fear of change, Weston's desire to prove himself, and the pair's struggle to live up to others' expectations. The result is a wildly original escapade featuring sympathetic protagonists and lively action sequences. Main characters read as white. Ages 8-12. Agent: Jennie Kendrick, Red Fox Literary. (Oct)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Buckle up for an interstellar adventure filled with captivating characters and non-stop action. McDonald has crafted a joyful tale of friendship, bravery, and belonging that should not be missed." —Adrianna Cuevas, author of the Pura Belpré Honor book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto
Briana McDonald
Briana McDonald writes diverse and adventurous books for young readers. She studied writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University and her short fiction has appeared in several literary journals. When she's not writing, Briana lives and works in New York City with her wife and their dog, Rex. She is the author of Pepper's Rules for Secret Sleuthing, The Secrets of Stone Creek, and Galaxy Jones and the Space Pirates. Find out more at BrianaRoseMcDonald.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534498297
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date
October 20, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV001020 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure | Pirates
JUV053020 - Juvenile Fiction | Science Fiction | Space Exploration
Library of Congress categories
Lost and found possessions
Lost articles
Friendship
Science fiction
Pirates
Outer space
Space operas (Fiction)

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