Insignia

A parent might reach for this book when they see their teenager struggling to find their place in the traditional world but thriving in digital spaces and gaming. It speaks to the feeling of being an underdog whose unconventional talents are finally recognized. The story follows Tom Raines, a teen living on the fringes who is recruited into a prestigious military academy where his gaming reflexes make him a potential elite combat pilot. Beyond the high-tech action, the book explores the deep emotional need for belonging and the weight of being used as a pawn by powerful institutions. It is appropriate for middle and high schoolers who enjoy fast-paced science fiction. Parents will appreciate how the story validates digital literacy while raising important questions about ethics, loyalty, and the cost of corporate-sponsored warfare.