The Boy from Earth

Twelve-year-old Bobby Baxter's not the bravest kid on Earth. His list of things that scare him is up to number 689, and includes lightning, crowds, spiders, alien abductions, crocodiles, falling from great heights, falling from small heights and eggs.

So when he learns that he's the first Earthling ever chosen to attend the Galactic Space Academy, light years away from home, he's terrified—and that's before he discovers that someone at the academy wants the boy from Earth gone.

'No child from Earth has ever been chosen to attend the Galactic Space Academy.' The hologram's eyes narrowed on Bobby. 'Until now.''Why me?' Bobby said, bewildered.'It's a mystery to me,' the hologram assured him.'What if I don't want to go?''You may reject our offer,' the hologram said. 'But it would reflect badly on Earth. Not that people are thinking Earth is backward and primitive,' he hastened to add. 'But if they were thinking it...well...they'd be...