C-235 lives in a world plagued by war between humans and sentient AI. C is an Angel, a person raised and harvested for body parts. He’s allowed to live until 18, and then his body is used to support the Dragons—genetically-superior soldiers—injured in the war. But C possesses a forbidden skill the other Angels don’t have: C knows how to read. When Ethan, a Dragon-in-training, notices C covertly reading over his shoulder, the two strike up a friendship, and he begins secretly lending C books. However, after learning that C is scheduled to donate his heart to a prominent Dragon soldier, Ethan decides to find a way to help his friend. If C can learn to read and intercept AI data, he could be spared. But can C prove his worth before it’s too late?
A Children's Book Council anticipated best seller!
Featured on YALSA's 2026 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list!
Maija Barnett grew up in Central Vermont and now lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two teenage daughters. She loves nature, poetry, hiking in the woods with her dog, and finding ways to get kids excited about reading. Maija holds degrees in English and teaching and currently teaches at a school for students with learning differences. She is also the author of Heart Like a Broken Arrow.