It’s the year 2048, and Ace Wells has just turned 11, which means he’s leaving his two moms to become a cadet in the B.E.S.T. (Biological Enhancement Systems Technology) Program, following in the footsteps (and shadow) of his older brother Finn. Ace is eager to qualify for SuperSoar wings, but his first day goes far from planned. His difficulty focusing (he has ADHD) and social awkwardness soon put him at odds with his roommates, all superstars. There are bullies, too, making life difficult.
His dreams are at risk, but as Ace works to rescue them, secrets about B.E.S.T. come to light that endanger or implicate friends and their families, and could change what Ace believes to be true about B.E.S.T. and its purpose.
Ace is White, as is one friend, while two others are Black. One is also nonbinary and uses a wheelchair, and is a superstar “BESTball” player. All teachers and staff at B.E.S.T. include their pronouns on their name badges.
Those looking for a middle-grade tale of action will likely enjoy this one, although it ends with many threads dangling for the next two planned volumes.
