It doesn’t take a genius to know that some things are worth more than diamonds.

“If Isaac Asimov had contributed to a science fiction version of the famous Goosebumps YA book series, the results might have looked a bit like this—and that is no small compliment. . .This is well-mannered, restrained, and satisfying SF for all ages that celebrates the intellect and does not concede to trendy cynicism or dystopian themes.” — Kirkus Reviews

A middle-grade soft science fiction novella

Graeme Pendlebury is a genius. Or at least his fellow fifth graders think so, and he’s in no rush to correct them. He dreams of enrolling at MIT and becoming a physicist. . .Until he actually goes there on a field trip and finds a pencil case, with his name on it, full of diamonds. This leads to increasingly bizarre events that signify a looming crisis with stakes greater than Graeme could have possibly imagined. . .

“★★★★★ Realia by Ulric Alvin Watts is a captivating and entertaining children’s story that contains innovative concepts and fascinating characters.”

— Edith Wairimu, Reader's Favorite

“★★★★★ I would highly recommend Realia to fans of adventurous MG sci-fi, appealing protagonists with credible flaws, and for technology enthusiasts everywhere.”

— K.C. Finn, Reader's Favorite

“★★★★★ It is extremely well written, and Ulric Alvin Watts’s expertise is equal to his ability to inspire the reader to read further.”

— Astrid Iustulin, Reader's Favorite

“★★★★★ The twists and turns will surprise you and the ending may just take you to a place that is unforgettable.”

— Jacob R LaMar, Reader's Favorite

“★★★★ Realia is an enchanting journey seen from an eleven-year-old’s perspective and understanding, brilliantly told by Ulric Alvin Watts.”

— Stefan Vucak, Reader's Favorite

I wrote Realia with boys in the fourth and fifth grades in mind. I was inspired to write it by the lack of interest in reading expressed by boys, with a dearth in books that boys would find appealing being one of the possible reasons. That said, it may very well prove appealing beyond that demographic (see blurb from Kirkus, above).

If you have a son who has trouble finding books he’s interested in, take note: Realia features action, adventure, mystery, treasure, weirdness, danger, intrigue, and yogurt. And at barely over 30,000 words, it doesn’t require much of an investment.

Read the first quarter or so of the book here!

(If you’re considering purchasing this book for someone else and could use some more information about it, you can go here for a slightly more detailed synopsis. If you would like to know more about any content of the book that might be considered objectionable for young readers, you can go here. Just be warned that these links spoil some major plot twists.)

Available at these retailers:

ISBN: 9781005273897