The Experiment
Published on 1. January 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-83913-781-5 (ISBN)
Description
From the winner of the Newbery Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize comes a fast-paced coming-of-age novel - with aliens.
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 boy, 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 and some others are part of an experiment that suddenly seems to be going wrong. Some of them 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.
'[A] twisty, thoughtful tale' Publishers Weekly
'Compulsively readable' Booklist
Cover illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz
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 boy, 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 and some others are part of an experiment that suddenly seems to be going wrong. Some of them 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.
'[A] twisty, thoughtful tale' Publishers Weekly
'Compulsively readable' Booklist
Cover illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz
Reviews / Votes
An imaginative, humorous coming-of-age sci-fi story for 9+ * Guardian * The pacing is superb, neatly blending family dynamics, friendship, and tween romance with page-turning mystery, adventure, and horror * Kirkus Reviews * [A] twisty, thoughtful tale [that] touches on themes of estrangement, assimilation, exploitation, and agency * Publishers Weekly * Compulsively readable...with keen insights and wry humor * Booklist * A must read for anyone looking for something a little bit quirky, extremely well written and utterly absorbing! * Through the Bookshelf *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 12 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
236 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83913-781-5 (9781839137815)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Rebecca Stead grew up in New York City where she lives today with her husband and two sons. Rebecca used to be a lawyer and wrote books for adults before turning to younger fiction. Her second book for children, When You Reach Me, won the Newbery Medal 2010, and her follow-up, Liar and Spy, was the winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. She now combines her writing with work as a literary agent.