About the Book
Kionaut: Unleashing the Hero Within is a transformative journey into the future of humanity, told through the eyes of Ana, Jordan, and Mia-three young recruits training at the KIO Academy. Here, the next generation of explorers and innovators is forged through out-of-this-world challenges, deep lessons, and a focus on cultivating the mindsets needed to create a better existence for all.
Each chapter offers a profound and immersive lesson, taking kidets on augmented reality missions through Earth's breathtaking ecosystems, the vast expanse of space, and even the human body. These adventures aren't just stories-they're experiences that combine real-world challenges with cutting-edge tech to inspire today's youth.
Ana, a determined and reflective 12 year-old Latina kidet, harbors a secret that threatens to derail her future at the Academy. With the prestigious KIO Games approaching, the stakes couldn't be higher. As Ana, Jordan, and Mia navigate battles, challenges, and mysteries, they begin to uncover what it truly takes to be a Kionaut - a curious, compassionate explorer of the cosmos.
Kionaut blends heart-pounding adventure with life-changing lessons, teaching kids to embrace curiosity, overcome challenges, and collaborate in the pursuit of a better tomorrow. With rich themes of teamwork, environmental stewardship, and emotional resilience, this book is perfect for middle-grade readers ready to embark on an epic adventure with a purpose.
Dare to dream. Dare to explore.
About the Author :
Amirah Cummings is a first time author and the founder of KIO: Kids in Orbit(TM) and the Cummings Innovation Lab, Inc, where she creates educational tools and experiences that empower young learners of all backgrounds. She holds a Master's degree in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania and built the model that will power the Kionaut interactive experience at Stanford University. With a mission to revolutionize learning by combining storytelling with technology, she is passionate about equipping young readers with real-life skills while igniting their imaginations to inspire the next generation of global thinkers and changemakers. Deirdre L. Williams is a passionate editor with a unique blend of creative and professional expertise. With an MBA from Rider University and nearing the completion of her doctorate in Organizational Leadership at California Southern University, Deirdre brings a strategic and thoughtful approach to every project.Her background includes over 30 years of experience creating corporate content for regulatory policies, where she honed her skills in precision, clarity, and effective communication. As a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, she is adept at analyzing complex systems and ensuring efficient, high-quality outcomes-a skill she seamlessly applies to refine manuscripts.Deirdre has also proofread academic essays, demonstrating her sharp eye for detail and her commitment to accuracy. Beyond the corporate and educational realms, she channels her creative energy into writing screenplays, where her passion for storytelling shines. This combination of analytical expertise and creative vision makes her uniquely qualified to guide authors through the editing process.Deirdre is deeply inspired by stories that uplift and transform. She is dedicated to helping authors fulfill their highest potential. She aims to deliver polished manuscripts that resonate with readers and bring authors' visions to life.Whether working with seasoned writers or first-time authors, Deirdre approaches every project with professionalism, care, and enthusiasm, ensuring a collaborative and enriching experience.
Review :
Book Life by Publishers Weekly
Cummings's debut follows the intergalactic escapades of Ana, Jordan, and Mia as "kidet" trainees at the KIO Academy, a global "space force" for kids from all backgrounds who want to make a "BIG" difference while having adventures on our planet and beyond it. The story opens with the adult Ana "crash-landing on a strange, alien planet somewhere in the Nebulon star system," critically injuring her and requiring a weeks-long hospitalization. Recovery finds Ana leaving the med center to give an impromptu speech that celebrates her goal "to protect, preserve and explore what could be next for Earth and humanity," jumping from there to fill in the backstory of her entrance, at just 12 years old, into the KIO Academy.
The trials Cummings develops for Ana and her fellow kidets present an exciting aside from those issues: the Academy uses augmented reality at every turn, kidets must master a minimum of three languages, and the main characters learn how to treat a host of complex problems, including medical emergencies, tech malfunctions, and more. Kionaut's cool premise is buoyed by a spirit of camaraderie and adventure. The prose, though, tends toward the redundant-especially in over-explanatory dialogue tags like "Commander Vitalis nodded, acknowledging Ana's question"-and the repetitive, reminding readers again and again of the cast's curiosity and courage. An emphasis on breathing to handle anxiety is welcome, but the many mentions of the characters' "deep breaths" distract, diminishing narrative momentum.
Still, Cummings's realistic conflict-set against a creative environment and premise-will engage middle grade readers, as kidets evaluate how to ensure equity in the KIO Space Station, debate the need for structure and rules to govern society, and develop a deep sense of personal responsibility to their cohort-and the world around them. These themes are refreshing, but the story's stakes-involving an intergalactic mission to preserve humanity-never quite pan out.
Takeaway: Intriguing YA novel of aspiring astronauts with a grandiose mission.
Comparable Titles: Jeramey Kraatz's The Moon Platoon, John David Anderson's Stowaway.
