After the success of the Onyeka series, Tọlá returns with an epic blast into space with Champions of the Galaxy. It’s fresh, gripping, surprising and I know children are going to LOVE it. Perfect for budding astronauts and fans of Star Wars and Marvel, Champions of the Galaxy offers sci-fi like no other children’s book out there at the moment. I was lucky enough to read this after visiting Epcot and visiting their Space 22 restaurant and it just highlighted what an immersive read Champions is - despite being aboard the Eusebeia, Kola and his motley crew in Pod 19 must brave Hunger Games-style challenges in some familiar locations… but should they be suspicious of the Onni’s motives?

Despite being a story set in space, I loved the humanity in Champions of the Galaxy. Whether we’re learning about Kola’s sister who suffers from sickle cell or unpacking what makes Thea tick, Champions of the Galaxy champions our individuality, our connections and our planet. It is such a spectacular story that you will struggle to put it down. Shocking twists, beautiful friendships and empowering messages around self-confidence and saving our planet makes Champions of the Galaxy your next favourite read!

Firstly, I want to say how nice it is to have another release from Tọlá Okogwu with Champions of the Galaxy. Having absolutely adored Onyeka, I couldn’t wait to see what she did next, and Champions of the Galaxy did not disappoint. Tọlá Okogwu has a way of getting right into the minds of her characters and delivering their soul to readers that makes every character she writes truly three dimensional and is always a joy to read.
 
Kola is a marvellous protagonist for this type of book, and in a lot of ways reminds me of myself when I was younger. Never having had the interests the cool kids had nor the confidence to command those interests, Kola truly resonated with me, and it was brilliant to get to see how those things can be superpowers across Champions of the Galaxy. Additionally, his love of family and doing everything for his sister was majestic and had me teary-eyed at several points in the book.

Conceptually, Champions of the Galaxy is exceptional. The idea of us going to the aliens to save the world is so unique when oftentimes in books with aliens, it’s us saving Earth on Earth. Additionally, combining in moments and flavours of other genres is a genius move that only an esteemed writer like Tọlá Okogwu could accomplish because it never felt gimmicky, it came across necessary to the plot and I could read numerous books set in this fruitful world.
 
With themes covering teambuilding, inclusion, self-confidence, identity, diversity and more, I was surprised to even find myself empathising with the antagonists of the novel (though who they are I won’t reveal as I want to keep this spoiler-free). To allow us that insight into how evil intentions become evil is a brilliant lesson that I think a lot of younger readers will take away and learn from. That was the core theme I think I took away from the novel was the importance of intention and it was magnificently crafted into Champions of the Galaxy.
 
From laughter to welling up, Champions of the Galaxy covers a range of emotions in a fast paced mental and physical action epic that young readers are going to LOVE come the new school year when the novel’s released in September. A sensational read for any readers aged 7/8+, Champions of the Galaxy is one you simply must preorder instantly. And in the meantime, I’m going to go check the sky to make sure there’s no aliens incoming…

Twelve year old Tola has long dreamed of going into space, and has planned his life accordingly, hoping to make that journey with the UK space agency as part of plans underway to ensure a child is allowed to participate in a mission for the first time. He doesn't expect the curve ball that's coming his way, though.

Because when a mysterious race of aliens, the Onni, arrives on earth, humans are informed that their only hope heading off a hostile alien invasion by other species lies in the Onni's offer to select and train 91 children through a series of trials. And it turns out that Tola is one of them!

This is a story with plenty of action and some really important themes (including messages about cooperation, diversity and tolerance) woven into the narrative so smoothly that there is nothing didactic about it. Highly recommended for its appealing characters and fast-moving narrative.

When a spaceship arrives over the Houses of Parliament in London, everyone expects the worst and a taskforce is set up to make contact; however, they are rather surprised to learn that the Onni are there to help Earth, informing them that they are about to be invaded. The Onni take 91 children from across the planet to prove that Earth is worthy of their help.

Kola is 12 years old and has, until the invasion, been preparing to be part of the first team from the new UK Space Agency to include a child to head on a 3 month mission to orbit Earth; however everything changed when the Onni arrived. So he is surprised to discover that he is one of the 91 chosen children. But can he and the other children prove their worth and save Earth?

TolÁ's Academy of the Sun series is absolutely brilliant and I have been privileged enough to hear TolÁ speak at the Simon and Schuster bloggers brunch in the past so finding Champions of the Galaxy on NetGalley met with sequels of delight last week, especially as it's a sci-fi book and I love a bit of sci-fi.

The book is pacey and the action starts from the very first line.

Usually with sci-fi novels, the plot revolves around aliens descending to invade Earth so I really liked the idea of the Onni being there to help humanity.
The plot quickly moves to space, to the Onni craft where the children have to prove their worth but the group Kola is put into comprises a group of children who are very different and it quickly becomes apparent that they could lose everything if they don't learn to work together. It's a fast-paced, action-packed story that readers will struggle to put down. With a host of fab characters, the book is guaranteed to be a big success with readers as it feels like a new kind of sci-fi and one that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

There are strong themes in the book about understanding people's differences and learning to work together, and about friendship and family which will make wonderful discussion points in school or at home.

Publishing on the 25th September, Champions of the Galaxy left me desperate for a second instalment!