Aboard the Kestrel, a 22nd colony ship, Derek Willingham is just like any other 12 year old kid. Except he is a Seer, someone who has the ability to see future events. When he has a vision of an accident and doesn't report it, the result is the death of his mother and several other crew members and the ship having to turn around and head back to Earth.

However, the Earth he is returning is not the Earth he left behind. Nearly 200 years have passed since the Kestrel embarked on its voyage. In that time, much has happened. Hunger and poverty have been eliminated using nanotechnology. Disease and sickness are non existent and the human lifespan has been extended. But this simplicity in life comes at a cost. And Derek isn't willing to pay the price.

The captain of the Kestrel, Captain Asher, informs Derek that there is a way to go back in time and stop the accident from happening. To do so Derek will need to find a man named Dr. Osborne. The only problem is Dr. Osborne lives in the Dark Zone, a primitive colony in Australia cut off from the rest of the world. And when Derek gets there he will have to travel through the desert, ride on a convoy, avoid scavengers, and all the meanwhile he learns someone has looking for him. But the most important thing he learns is to believe in himself and the true meaning of "To thine own self be true."

I would recommend this book for middle schoolers. Kids will be able to connect with him and understand how he feels. It's an easy read and well paced and can be finished in a day or two. ( )