Escape from Planet Thirteen

When a school science experiment goes horribly wrong during a lightning storm, five unlikely classmates are thrown across the galaxy to a mysterious—and dangerous—alien world called Planet Thirteen. The laws of physics glitch, trees glow with eerie light, and a robotic overlord named The Arbiter demands one thing: survive all thirteen Galactic Trials... or be trapped forever.

Armed only with a backpack of snacks, a half-broken alien translator, and each other, Max, Zara, Eli, Leah, and Diego must face challenges that test their courage, logic, and loyalty. From zero-gravity obstacle courses to molten lava leaps and mind-bending memory mazes, the kids soon realize that this is no ordinary competition—and not everyone is playing fair.

But there's more to Planet Thirteen than games. As secrets unravel and alliances form, the team uncovers the truth behind the Arbiter's twisted system—and they must decide: escape for themselves, or reprogram the game to free everyone?

Blending fast-paced science fiction, real-world AI concepts, and powerful themes of teamwork, problem-solving, and empathy, Escape from Planet Thirteen is a thrilling, thoughtful adventure for readers aged 9 to 15 who love smart stories with heart—and high stakes.