It was a regular day at Winterset Junior High School in Winterset, Iowa, when it was suddenly disrupted by an apocalyptic invasion carried out by Reficulian aliens. In this first book of a series, 11-year-old Derrick survives the invasion, benefiting from a fluke in alien technology.

He serves as both the main character and narrator. Unsure if the attack was limited to Winterset or if it had a global reach, Derrick encounters other young survivors who gradually unite in their struggle to survive.

Soon they meet a Keltian alien who is on their side. Lacking the power to defeat the Reficulians, Derrick's small group of surviving children are given special abilities by the Keltian in the hope this will be enough to save the planet.

The children deal with many challenges as they encounter additional survivors. Through trial and error, they apply their newfound abilities to confront the Reficulians.

Do they have what is needed to conquer the aliens that have obliterated other planets? Can these kids outsmart and outmaneuver a more advanced civilization to preserve planet Earth?(About the Author)Born in Oklahoma, Michael Datur-Soliday grew up in Iowa and Colorado. He was mainstreamed in public schools long before most students with a hearing impairment.

"My son, whom I adopted from the island of Guam, is also deaf. I wanted to show him that there are no obstacles in life unless you make it one.

" He received his B. S.

from Utah State University and his M. Ed.

from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College). In 1993, he received the Nevada Teacher of the Year award.

He has also taught in Florida, Iowa, Guam, New York City, North Carolina, and Texas. .