Shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Book Award 2014 The supernova is coming ...one boy alone can save the galaxy! Lucky thinks he's an ordinary Human boy. But one night, he dreams that the stars are singing - and wakes to find an uncontrollable power rising inside him. Now he's on the run, racing through space, searching for answers. In a galaxy at war, where Humans and Aliens are deadly enemies, the only people who can help him are an Alien starship crew - and an Alien warrior girl, with neon needles in her hair. Together, they must find a way to save the galaxy. For Lucky is not the only one in danger. His destiny and the fate of the universe are connected in the most explosive way...
Brilliant ... a total pageturner... gloriously produced Jacqueline Wilson
Completely absorbing ... The book is beautiful - lavishly illustrated by Dave McKean, with words and pictures working seamlessly together. -- Julia Eccleshare Guardian
This is fabulous, high-octane stuff, with an uplifting ending, stunningly illustrated by the brilliant McKean -- Sally Morris Daily Mail
Breathlessly paced ... A powerful story of great scope and ambition, from an expert storyteller. And with these gorgeously deep black-and-white illustrations, the great McKean is on absolutely top form here. -- Daniel Hahn TheIndependent on Sunday
A big (and big-hearted) story ... Said's child-centred, inclusive text and McKean's gorgeous images combine to produce a story that will encourage young imaginations to take flight. The final sequence, in particular, is both stunning and uplifting. -- Linda Buckley-Archer Guardian
Author
About S F Said
SF was born in Beirut, Lebanon in May 1967. His family was originally from the Middle East – like Varjak, SF has Mesopotamian ancestors – but he has lived in London since the age of two. Growing up in the flat above where Quentin Blake lived may be why he always wanted to be a children’s writer.
SF says that authors like Roald Dahl, Ursula Le Guin and Rudyard Kipling made him who he is. Their books shaped his mind as did all the comics and music he loved as a child, from Star Wars to The Sandman. His flat walls are covered with books, records and videos – literally thousands of them.
While waiting to be discovered as a writer SF spent 6 years in Middle East Politics, writing for the Crown Prince of Jordan. Following this he went to Cambridge University to do a PhD in Criminology. During his degree SF started writing articles about books and films which won him national journalism prizes. He now writes regularly for the Daily Telegraph and has interviewed the likes of Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson, Quentin Blake and William Nicholson. His success as a journalist led him into judging the Whitbread Children’s Book Award and programming for the Edinburgh Film Festival.
