Earth Force Rising — Monica Tesler

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, EARTH FORCE,
a space-military agency, discovered a connection between brain structure, neurodiversity, and space travel. Now EarthBound Academy has recruited the first group of cadets, Bounders, to be trained as aeronauts and experts in quantum ship bounding -- traveling anywhere in the universe in a split second.

Twelve-year-old Jasper is in the first group sent out to space. After being bullied back on Earth, Jasper is excited to serve in Earth Force and connect with the other cadets. At the Academy, Jasper and his new friends have a blast playing in the sensory gym and riding the suction chutes that connect the space station structures, not to mention learning about new technologies and taking classes on the proper use of jet packs.

But soon Jasper learns that they haven't been told everything about Earth Force. The cadets weren't brought to space to become perfect aeronauts, but to learn a new, highly classified tech that allows them to quantum bound ... without a ship. And that might not be the only secret that Earth Force has been keeping -- the new technology may have been stolen, and the original owners want revenge.

When Jasper and his friends discover the truth about why Earth Force needs the Bounders, they are faced with a choice: Do they rebel against the academy that brought them together? Or do.they fulfill their duties and protect the planet, no matter the cost?

With an alien threat on the horizon, they don't have much time to decide.