​Fall 2024 BookFest Awards, YA/Science Fiction - Second Place

"Engaging sci-fi romp. The young hero is a smart and capable but also believable adolescent, as he can't always rein in his impulsive reactions, sometimes using his fists in lieu of his razor-sharp mind." -Kirkus Reviews

"Exciting coming-of-age SF story in space, on Earth, and in between... plot calls back to Heinlen's Juveniles, and action-packed scenes will provide a delightful taste of science fiction..." -Booklife Reviews

It wasn't supposed to be this way...

Sixteen-year-old Flight Officer Dayton Murdoch was born and raised on a spaceship. It's all he knows. His dream to be the youngest Recon pilot in history is shattered when his ship returns to Earth and Dayton is forced to attend high school.

It's strange, it's weird, and he and the other "children of the stars" are treated like outsiders by the principal, teachers, and students. Dayton finds himself surrounded by cliques, peer pressure, Earth fashion, and every kind of teenage angst imaginable. He must brave this new existence with his heavyworlder friend, the hulking but gentle Trenton, and his sarcastic, overly emotional sidekick Zara.

Getting grounded from flying is torture until Dayton finds an old junker and tinkers with it in his father's garage until it flies. Dayton proudly flies to it school where the principal thinks differently!

Dayton isn't prepared for high school. But is high school ready for Dayton?

MORE PRAISE FOR CHILDREN OF THE STARS

"Exciting coming-of-age SF story in space, on Earth, and in between. With its stark focus on societal divides (with Griefers, neuros, and more) the novel shines a bright light on contemporary issues and plays on the classical literary themes of man vs. self, man vs. nature and man vs. other. The 1950s-esque plot calls back to Heinlen's Juveniles, and action-packed scenes will provide middle-grade readers with a delightful taste of science fiction..." - Booklife Reviews

"Adolescent triumphs and woes fuel this engaging SF romp. The young hero is a smart and capable but also believable adolescent, as he can't always rein in his impulsive reactions, sometimes using his fists in lieu of his razor-sharp mind." - Kirkus Reviews

"Neil's writing style is fast and engaging and his characters are dynamic and likable (or dislikable if that's the intent!) Twenty years ago, this book would have been published by a Big 5 after a bidding war, and they would already have the movie in pre-production. I highly recommend you pick up this book for yourself and anyone else who is a fan of the genre. This is one of those stories where even though you're desperate to know how it ends, the journey is so much fun you wish it never would." - Jennifer Milne, author of Cupid's Kiss

"This delightful coming-of-age story has a relatable sci-fi setting and a hero worth rooting for. The book successfully captures the angst of high school and young love. I look forward to more books with these characters." - Paul Sundling, Author of The Internet President