The First Kid in Space

When an unfortunate incident in a space shuttle simulator turns twelve year old Franklin Wilson into an accidental viral sensation, he attracts the attention of Xavier Drake, the third richest person in the world, who invites Franklin to take part in a competition to become the actual first kid in space. But after the competition launches, and the five young contestants begin to compete in a series of trials that will see them eliminated one by one until only the winner remains, Franklin discovers that everything is not what it seems – and it turns out there is much more at stake than just a trip to space… Hilarious, fast-paced, and action-packed, The First Kid in Space is an out-of-this-world adventure for readers aged 9+, from the highly-acclaimed author of Escape from Camp Boring and How to Rob a Bank. As a Sunday Times bestselling book, The First Kid in Space by Tom Mitchell continues to captivate its juvenile readers with its humorous and social themes. The story, filled with friendship and adventure, is a top pick for kids and a must-have for every children's fiction collection. For fans of Jeanne Duprau (Voyagers), Katherine Paterson (My Brigadista Year), Nidhi Chanani (Misty the Proud Cloud), Stacy Mcanulty (The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl), and Jake Burt (The Right Hook of Devin Velma). HarperCollins Children’s 2025