Eighth Grade vs. the Machines

Seventh grade didn’t end especially well for Jack, thanks to some hostile aliens.

After the entire population of Earth's solar system is whisked away by alien technology, Jack and his classmates and teachers aboard the PSS 118 are the only humans left. But it’s a new school year aboard the new and improved PSS 118, and the public school spaceship is on a mission to find and rescue the rest of humanity from the evil Minister’s plans. If they can avoid the aliens hunting them down, steer clear of a robot civil war, and figure out who among them might be a traitor, Jack and his friends might just survive middle school.

"Another amazing trip across the galaxy with the students of PSS 118!"— Monica Tesler, author of the Bounders series

“"The students of Public School Spaceship 118 face threats both new and continuing as they get set to hunt for the rest of the human race--which has mysteriously vanished. Though he barely gives the main plotline set up in Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy (2019) a nudge forward, Levy does pitch his three main characters--Jack, Becka, and Ari--into a nonstop whirl of captures, escapes, betrayals, exchanges of blaster fire, racing hoverbikes, and fresh tussles with both interstellar queen bee the Minister and school bully Hunter. Repaired at last and outfitted with upgraded weaponry, the school lifts off from the depopulated Earth . . . and is immediately hijacked by rebellious robots who have taken over a gigantic space mall and declared independence. Along with tucking in clear signs (from a robot buccaneer complete with peg leg to encounters with a furry alien and her moms from the planet Meerkat Prime) that despite all the gunplay none of this should be taken too seriously, the author closes with a broad hint that either someone has a hidden agenda or it's all been just a VR simulation. Curiosity about which it is, plus the nonstop action, may keep readers forging on as cryptic clues lead from a library planet to a second uninhabited world yet to be visited. Aside from occasional name cues, markers of race or ethnicity are minimal; the three leads read as White. Thin on character and plot development but action aplenty."--Kirkus Reviews”

"Funny, action-packed, and thoroughly engaging, this accessible middle grade story welcomes readers into the future with open arms by frequently breaking the fourth wall and incorporating characters who are at once familiar and relatable." –Children's Literature

Joshua S. Levy was born and raised in Florida. After teaching middle school (yes, including seventh and eighth grade) for a little while, Josh went to law school. He lives with his wife and children in New Jersey, where he practices as a lawyer. Unfortunately, outer space doesn't come up in court nearly as often as he'd like.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.