'Home: my Life in the Universe'
By Mark Ballabon

Illustrated by Grant MacDonald
Book One in the Leah's Universe Trilogy

The Story

14-year-old Leah loves wilderness survival books. In fact, sometimes she wishes she could escape into the wild. Then she could get away from the body image obsession at school and the bullies who pick on her little brother, Aiden. As long as she could still braid her hair, she could definitely survive without home comforts… and she could explore her passion for stargazing.

But alone in the woods one night, Leah’s life is transformed. She has the strangest sensation of gliding across the night sky, among millions of dazzling stars. This profound experience sparks a burning question in Leah that no one seems able to answer.

Desperate to broaden her horizons, Leah challenges herself to attend an international summer camp. Will the people she meets there, from her first love Sean, to formidable climate activist Kayleigh, help Leah find the answer to her question: what is 'Home'?

"A thought-provoking and delightful read"
THE SCOTSMAN
Read the full review
Follow Leah's journey on Instagram and TikTok
A hand-drawn scroll down arrow buttonA hand-drawn scroll down arrow button
Home: My Life in the Universe is available to buy from various Bookshops
View Stockists
Book shelves inside a bookshop sowing fiction novels including "Home" by Mark Ballabon

Author Talks and Workshops

Since 2021, Mark has visited schools, libraries and universities throughout the UK and Scotland and has met over 2000 students. Your school, university or organisation can book Mark for speaking engagements or interactive workshops around themes from 'HOME'
Meet the author

About the Author

Philosopher, environmentalist and author, Mark Ballabon has been teaching and writing about personal and spiritual development for over two decades. His previous titles, 'Why is The Human on Earth and Courting the Future': Preparing for a Different World, explore issues such as climate change, human life and our future in a visionary and practical way. 'HOME: My Life in the Universe", is Mark's debut fiction title for YA readers.

twitter icon
Follow Mark on Twitter

About the Illustrator

Inspired by the wild forests, lakes and rivers of New Zealand’s North Island where his family and two teenage daughters live, Grant developed a love of imagery as a rich communication and storytelling medium, from a young age. His career spans 25 years as an illustrator, designer and art director.

Instagram icon
Follow Grant on Instagram

Free Teaching Resource!

Download our guided reading pack for Home: My Life in the Universe. A topical and thought-provoking english curriculum resource.
PDF download image

Press