Dare Mighty Things

Set in 2043, Kaczynski’s gripping debut stars Cassandra Gupta, a genetically engineered high school senior from Huntsville, Ala., who works as an intern in NASA’s legal department. Cassie dreams of becoming an astronaut, but because NASA no longer sends humans into space, she assumes that will never happen. Then she learns that the organization is planning a secret, highly experimental mission, and that she will be competing with 63 exceptional young people for a spot on the crew. Cassie travels to Johnson Space Center in Houston, where the applicants face a grueling selection process. As the field narrows, the tests grow stranger and more dangerous, forcing the candidates to wonder about the mission’s destination and purpose, as well as the nature of the winner’s role on the ship. First in a duology, this SF thriller uses a diverse, well-drawn cast and a twisty, cerebral plot to entertain readers while highlighting science, the space program, and the importance of empathy and friendship. A game-changing cliffhanger paves the way for book two. Ages 13–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary. (Oct.)