Book Review of SPACE Academy and the Hi-Tech Conundrum
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The Children’s Book Review
SPACE Academy and the Hi-Tech Conundrum
Written and illustrated by C.K. Holbrook
Ages: 7-10 | 89 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9955042-0-7 and 979-8-9955042-1-4 (e-Book)
What to Expect: Science, technology, problem-solving, inventions.
In this whimsical and tongue-in-cheek technological invention adventure, readers will explore important questions about the role of technology and invention in human society through humor and puzzle-solving, all while learning more about radio waves, electronics, and particles than they thought possible.
Peter and Emily are students at the top-secret SPACE (Scientific Possibility and Advanced Computational Exploration) Academy, where they spend their days exploring the unexplored problems of science, technology, and life, and escaping the school’s awful cafeteria lunches. One Friday, with the help of their teacher, Dr Royce, they modify an alarm clock radio to receive broadcasts from the future—and that’s when the trouble really begins, because the three experimenters accidentally discover what looks like a plot for world domination! Can they find a way to save the human mind from a future of mindless distractions and inefficient tech? Only time will tell!
The story is told in the first person by Peter, who is equal parts analytically brilliant and gastronomically distractible. Peter fills his narrative with the scientific and philosophical details that underpin his discoveries, inviting readers to be both excited and critical about their interactions with technology. The story is delivered through short chapters and plenty of dialogue, while simple black-and-white illustrations break up the text and help readers visualize the scientific principles.
For any reader who loves stories about inventions, scientific mysteries, and top-secret schools, this middle-grade novel is sure to be a hit.
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About the Author
As an elementary school librarian’s assistant, a middle school Game Design for Girls teacher, and a 7th-12th grade robotics coach, C.K. Holbrook has watched as kids of all ages develop their identity through the combination of their unique interests, personalities, and strengths. She found that a particularly fun time in this process was the elementary school class visit to the library. She always enjoyed the race to find a book after the librarian broke from story time, and kids checked out their potential treasures. She knew that finding each child a story that spoke to them and captured their delight could be the highlight of their week, and hers. This inspired her to write the SPACE Academy series with stories that combine technology, humor, and intellectual curiosity in ways that she could not find in other books.
C.K. Holbrook lives in Smyrna, Georgia, with her husband, who was her high school sweetheart, and their highly intelligent and opinionated labradoodle, Rey. As empty nesters, they fill their time with engineering new dinners and optimizing everything they encounter.
For more information, visit www.thespaceacademyseries.com.
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