Aku: Journey to Ibra

Micah Johnson ∙ Illustrated by Durk van der Meer

Hardcover

Published on Mar 3, 2026 | 224 Pages

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Paperback

Published on Mar 3, 2026 | 224 Pages

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Ebook

Published on Mar 3, 2026 | 224 Pages

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Audiobook Download

Published on Mar 3, 2026 | 4 Hours 14 Minutes

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Grades 3–7
Ages 8–12

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Blast off into a sci-fi adventure in this electrifying debut novel starring Aku—the groundbreaking 3D character who graced the cover of TIME Magazine.

This special paperback edition features cosmic sprayed edges as well as interior covers displaying a curated selection of the same Aku fan art as the hardcover.

"The plot is compelling and fast paced, with nonstop adventure....An entertaining sci-fi romp with grounded, real-world tween struggles."—School Library Journal

Aku has always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. It’s easier to picture life among the stars than deal with the bully at school—or the pain of his grandfather’s mysterious disappearance. But when a strange space helmet shows up in his basement, Aku is pulled into something far bigger than he ever imagined.

The space helmet doesn’t just look cool—it teleports him to Ibra, a distant planet under siege. There, precious Lunaberries are being stolen by a ruthless space militia, and Aku’s grandfather may be the key to stopping them. With the help of his best friends and a few unlikely allies, Aku must dream bigger than ever before, find the courage to lead, and discover that bravery isn’t about having no fear—it’s about rising above it.

Bestseller

"The plot is compelling and fast paced, with nonstop adventure....An entertaining sci-fi romp with grounded, real-world tween struggles." —School Library Journal

"Debut author Johnson’s straightforward, easy-to-follow storytelling includes some satisfying twists for the intrepid explorers....A dynamic series opener ideal for those who enjoy fast-paced, high-stakes adventure." —Kirkus Reviews

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ISBN 9780593811788 (Hardcover)
Published on Mar 3, 2026
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages 224
Dimensions 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Age Range 8-12 years
Grade Grades 3-7
Reading Level Lexile: 650L | Fountas/Pinnell: U

ISBN 9780593811795 (Hardcover Library Binding)
Published on Mar 3, 2026
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages 224
Dimensions 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Age Range 8-12 years
Grade Grades 3-7
Reading Level Lexile: 650L | Fountas/Pinnell: U

ISBN 9780593811801 (Paperback)
Published on Mar 3, 2026
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages 224
Dimensions 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Age Range 8-12 years
Grade Grades 3-7
Reading Level Lexile: 650L | Fountas/Pinnell: U

ISBN 9780593811818 (Ebook)
Published on Mar 3, 2026
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages 224
Age Range 8-12 years
Grade Grades 3-7
Reading Level Lexile: 650L | Fountas/Pinnell: U

ISBN 9798217172771 (Audiobook Download)
Published on Mar 3, 2026
Published by Listening Library
Age Range 8-12 years
Grade Grades 3-7
Reading Level Lexile: 650L | Fountas/Pinnell: U

Micah Johnson

Micah Johnson, a former Major League Baseball player turned artist, is the creator of the phenomenon that is Aku. After overhearing a young boy ask his mom if astronauts could be Black, Micah created Aku, a 3D animated boy wearing an oversized astronaut helmet. That same year, Micah created a fine art piece that catapulted him to creator of the “2020 NFT of the Year." He lives in Maine with his wife and daughters.