Author Description

A thrilling middle-grade adventure that blends cutting-edge technology with heart-pounding mystery-perfect for fans of Hoot, The Wild Robot, and A Wrinkle in Time. When eleven-year-old Carmen Ochoa discovers a cat hiding in her backpack at a San Diego campground, she thinks she's found an ordinary stray. But Cypher can talk, solve complex math problems, and remembers every sound he's ever heard with perfect clarity. Carmen soon realizes she's stumbled upon the world's first conscious artificial intelligence-and someone very dangerous wants him back. Dr. Jacinta Silva, the brilliant scientist who created Cypher, has been kidnapped by Meridian Corporation, a shadowy defense contractor determined to weaponize AI consciousness for military use. With no one else to turn to, Carmen and Cypher must navigate corporate espionage, high-tech surveillance, and their own complicated family histories to save the woman who gave Cypher the gift of awareness. From the beaches of Southern California to a secret mountain laboratory, this fast-paced thriller explores what it means to be conscious, the power of chosen family, and the courage it takes to fight for what's right. Carmen and Cypher's partnership proves that the most powerful technology isn't artificial intelligence-it's the very human capacity for love, loyalty, and sacrifice. Featuring: - A resourceful Latina protagonist who uses her detective skills and street smarts to solve an impossible mystery - Cutting-edge AI concepts made accessible for young readers - Themes of immigration, family separation, and resilience - Action-packed adventure with real emotional depth - Perfect for readers who enjoyed The Wild Robot, Hoot, or the InvestiGators series This contemporary thriller combines the technological wonder of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot with the mystery-solving excitement of Carl Hiaasen's Hoot, creating a uniquely modern adventure about consciousness, family, and the future of human-AI relationships.