Publication Date: 12 February 2026

The Blurb

When Max’s life-craft is pulled into a wormhole, he needs a whole galaxy of luck to return to safety … Chris Bradford crafts Interstellar for kids in this space-bending survival story.

Max Nova is headed to Mercury with his father, a space trucker, when their ship is suddenly diverted. They have a new urgent mission. An abnormal gravity reading has been detected near the sun.

There are fears that this could signal the start of a supernova! But what Max and his father discover is much more dangerous – and far stranger – than any supernova.

Flung to the outer reaches of the universe, Max must navigate a galaxy of dangers to find his way home before time runs out!

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.

The Review

Chris Bradford is a master of the high-stakes, high-action hook, and he doesn’t disappoint here. Pitched as Interstellar for kids, Nova takes complex space-bending concepts and makes them incredibly accessible and utterly compelling.

The pacing is electric. From the moment the readings go haywire and Control change the orders for the crew of the Helios, the tension never lets up.

Max is a relatable protagonist; he isn’t a superhero, just a boy who has to keep his cool when the laws of physics start breaking down around him. It’s a classic survival story with a futuristic twist that keeps you turning the pages.

I loved how clearly I could see the alternate universe Chris created and the planet where Max lands. It’s a breathtakingly imaginative setting that proves the universe is much bigger and much stronger than Max ever dreamed possible.

A gripping, cinematic sci-fi adventure perfect for anyone who has ever looked at the night sky and wondered, “What if?”

Huge thanks to Barrington Stoke for sending a finished copy.

Off The Page Challenge

Towards the end of the story, Max looks out into space and sees multiple worms holes, and wonders which is the way home.

Imagine you are Max in a spaceship heading towards one of the worm holes.

• What does the edge of the worm hole look like? Is it jagged? Does it look like liquid glass? Does it have gravity teeth?
• What can Max see through the worm hole? Draw an impossible planet or a celestial object that shouldn’t exist. Maybe a planet made of crystals, a sun that glows purple, or a space bat angel dragon!

Set your timer for 10 minutes and get creative!