Aku: Journey to Ibra

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.

Author: Micah Johnson
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Published: 03/03/2026
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.81lbs
ISBN13: 9780593811801
ISBN10: 0593811801
BISAC Categories:
- Juvenile Fiction | Science Fiction | Space Exploration
- Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
- Juvenile Fiction | Robots

About the Author
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 was inspired to create Aku, a 3D animated boy wearing an oversized astronaut helmet. That same year, Micah created a fine art piece that catapulted him from retired athlete to creator of the "2020 NFT of the Year." Aku: Journey to Ibra is Aku's origin story and Micah's first book. He lives in Maine with his wife and daughter.