- School Library Journal:
- Grades 6 and up
- Kirkus:
- Ages 10 - 16
- TeachingBooks:*
- Grades 5-8
- Word Count:
- 78,009
- Lexile Level:
- 750L
- ATOS Reading Level:
- 5.3
- Genre:
- Adventure
- Science Fiction / Fantasy
- Year Published:
- 2014
15 Subject Headings
The following 15 subject headings were determined by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Book Industry Study Group (BISAC) to reveal themes from the content of this book (Horizon).
- Quests--Fiction
- Genetic engineering
- Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction
- Dystopias--Fiction
- Juvenile Fiction | Science Fiction | General
- Science fiction
- Dystopias
- Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
- Undersea colonies
- Mermaids--Fiction
- Adventure stories
- Underwater cities--Fiction
- Mermaids
- Genetic engineering--Fiction
- Quests (Expeditions)
3 Full Professional Reviews
The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.
Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).
From Horn Book
July 1, 2014
Aluna and her friends disguise themselves as cyborg Upgraders in order to destroy Karl Strand once and for all. To win the war, however, they will need to strengthen existing friendships and forge new alliances among their world's diverse beings. This concluding installment, which features believable world-building, fast-paced action, and engaging characters, wraps up the series nicely.
(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
From School Library Journal
April 1, 2014
Gr 6 Up-As the diabolical Karl Strand plans to conquer the world with an army of high-tech soldiers, Aluna and her friends decide to infiltrate the enemy by posing as Upgraders.
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
From Kirkus
March 15, 2014
This last volume of the Above World trilogy opens where Mirage (2013) ended, with Aluna, Hoku, Dash and Calli determined to save their genetically modified races from megalomaniac Karl Strand and his technically enhanced Upgrader army. Masquerading as Upgraders with Aluna and Calli pretending to be their prisoners, Hoku, an ocean-dwelling Kampii, and Dash, a desert-dwelling Equian, join an unsuspecting Upgrader kludge to find Strand. When they are captured by Silvae--flying squirrel-like tree dwellers--and separated from the kludge, Aluna, Hoku, Dash and Calli split to fight Strand on different fronts. Dash rejoins the kludge, hoping to rescue his Equian relatives captured by Strand. Calli returns to the Aviars, who are under attack from Strand's army. Aluna and Hoku join their Kampii families in the ocean, still trying to find Strand and devise new breathing devices. The four friends use individual strengths forged through their time together to help their respective races while staying committed to the common goal of defeating Strand. Aluna remains a compelling warrior, and Hoku, Dash and Calli come into their own as the fast-paced action ricochets back and forth, culminating in a colossal confrontation with Strand. A fitting finale for a gripping futurist series whose four multifaceted heroes offer a strong anti-war, pro-diversity message. (Science fiction. 10-16)
COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Preview Digital Book
Explore Horizon on Marketplace. Access requires OverDrive Marketplace login.
This Book Resume for Horizon is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.
*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.
Retrieved from TeachingBooks on April 03, 2026. © 2001-2026 TeachingBooks.net, LLC. All rights reserved by rights holders.

