Very much the start to a a series that lays the foundation for future stories by introducing the protagonist and his world, it also tells the extremely relatable story of moving to a new town and school. Zack is sad to be leaving behind his friends and everything he knows and is very scared he won't be able to fit in or make friends at his new home. The rest of his family may be excited to be moving to the planet Nebulon for his dad's new job, but Zack sure isn't. Yet once they arrive he begins to learn that not only are his fears are unfounded, Nebulon has many exciting positives that he ends up loving. The science fiction setting provides both an opportunity to play up how strange and foreign something new can feel and the ability to work in lots of fun, cool elements like flying cars, talking houses, and funny aliens. An excellent first entry for this series in the beginning chapter book category.