What if alien refugees were already living in Earth's oceans—and you were one of them? Jake Rose can breathe underwater. That's not exactly normal for a seventh-grader living on Bainbridge Island, but then again, Jake isn't exactly normal. He's half-human, half-alien, with gills hidden beneath his shirt and a secret that could change everything. His home planet Rison is dying—literally imploding from a science experiment gone catastrophically wrong. Jake's alien mother, Ambassador Dayexi Quad-de, is desperately negotiating with Earth's governments to let her people settle peacefully in the oceans. It should be simple: Risonians need water, Earth has plenty of it, and nobody gets hurt. But someone wants to start a war instead. When Jake stumbles upon a terrifying conspiracy to sabotage Mount Rainier and trigger a massive volcanic eruption, he realizes the truth: Earth's elite ELLIS forces plan to frame the peaceful Risonian refugees, turning them from desperate survivors into dangerous invaders. One fake alien attack is all it takes to justify a genocide. Then Jake's mother disappears. Kidnapped. And suddenly, this isn't just about saving two worlds—it's about saving the only family he has left. Armed with abilities that make him perfectly suited for both land and sea, Jake must navigate deadly government conspiracies, underwater alien technology, and the impossible choice between the planet that raised him and the planet that might become his home. Because when you're caught between two worlds, sometimes you're the only one who can save both. Perfect for readers who devour: Middle grade science fiction adventures that feel believable - Alien contact stories with real consequences - Underwater fantasy and ocean-based adventures - Action-packed chapter books for ages 8-14 - Environmental themes wrapped in epic storytelling - Heroes who don't fit in anywhere—until they find their purpose SLEEPERS launches the pulse-pounding Blue Planets World series, where middle grade adventure meets edge-of-your-seat science fiction. Perfect for fourth through eighth grade readers ready for their next obsession. ". . .an astute piece of characterization. . . . Junior high readers should approve. A solid beginning to a trilogy that addresses all sorts of teenage alienation." Kirkus Reviews. Q: There's a lot of science-related stuff in this book. For example, there's the question of controlling a black hole's pull. Is that just a bunch of pseudo-science? A: I'm glad you asked! I want my science fiction to be based on the possibilities of science. No, things I mention aren't currently possible, such as interstellar travel. However, I consulted volcanologists, physicists and other scientists for the science in the book. As one scientist said, "The explanations are plausible enough to make graduate students argue about it." Storyteller and writing teacher DARCY PATTISON has been published in nine languages. Her books, published with Harcourt, Philomel/Penguin, Harpercollins, Arbordale, and Mims House have received recognition for excellence with starred reviews in Kirkus, BCCB and PW . Three nonfiction nature books have been honored as National Science Teacher's Association Outstanding Science Trade books. The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman (Harcourt) received an Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature Honor Book award, and has been published in a Houghton Mifflin textbook. She's the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor's Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children's literature. In sixth grade, Pattison read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy and Ender's Game , which left her with a life-long fascination for science fiction and fantasy. Her first published novel, THE WAYFINDER , was a fantasy. With the publication of THE BLUE PLANETS WORLD series , she returns to the genre she's always loved.