Shortcuts

Reach for this book when your child is starting to navigate increased independence and needs to see the value of staying calm when plans go sideways. While the setting is a high-tech space station, the heart of the story focuses on the dynamic between Sanity and Tallulah as they manage a mail delivery route that quickly turns into a rescue mission. It is a fantastic choice for children who are prone to rushing or taking shortcuts, as it highlights how critical thinking and teamwork solve problems that speed alone cannot. This graphic novel balances fast-paced action with a grounded focus on STEM concepts and emotional intelligence. The story explores themes of responsibility, peer collaboration, and the realization that authority figures are not always right. It is perfectly suited for middle grade readers who enjoy technical details and clever protagonists who use their brains to save the day. Parents will appreciate the positive female representation in engineering and piloting roles.