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 stellar hardcover edition features a special poster printed on the back of the book jacket, plus endpapers featuring Aku fan art from kids around the world.

"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: Hardcover
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.70w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780593811788
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2026

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.