The Experiment
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025 · Est. 7 hour read

The Experiment

Written by Rebecca Stead

A boy's secret alien heritage threatens his world as people vanish mysteriously.

3.8 Goodreads · 1,284 ratings
288 pages· 48,667 words· Est. 7 hour read· ~650L
$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Nathan, a seemingly ordinary sixth-grader, harbors a cosmic secret: his family is from another planet. As their Earthly experiment falters and friends vanish, Nathan faces a life-altering choice. Can he uncover the truth before it's too late?

From the publisher

Read the highly anticipated novel that Betsy Bird calls “A great, grand endeavor that, by all rights, should be around for years and years to come.”From the Newbery Medalist and national-bestselling author Rebecca Stead, here is a bold story that will appeal to fans of A Wrinkle in Time and The First State of Being. Nathan wants to help his people, but first he has to figure out who they are… Nathan never understood what was “fun” about secrets, probably because he’s always had to keep a very big one. Although he appears to be a typical sixth-grader (with parents, homework and a best friend, Victor), Nathan learned at an early age that his family is from another planet. Now, their time on Earth may be coming to an end. Nathan, his parents and nine other families are part of an experiment that suddenly seems to be going wrong. Some of the experimenters, including Nathan’s first crush, Izzy, are disappearing without a word. After his family is called back to the mothership, Nathan begins to question everything he’s been taught to believe about who he is and why he’s on Earth. The Experiment is a fast-paced coming-of-age novel that asks universal questions about how we figure out who we want to be, and whether it’s ever too late to change.

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
288
Words
48,667
Reading age
8–12
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
~650L
The author

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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
4.2
F&P level
~P
AR points
7
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
556172
Publication
Published
September 16, 2025
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9781250374769

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