Futureland

October 24, 2022
In 2048, Black middle schooler Cameron J. Walker lives in Futureland, a flying futuristic theme park he helps his family run. He’s literally on top of the world until his parents decide that Futureland’s next destination will be his mother’s hometown, Atlanta, where they’ll remain for the year while Cameron attends his first “real” school Earth-side, staying with his grandmother on school nights. New friends, portrayed as racially diverse, help Cameron settle in; he gets to assist with Futureland on the weekends; and excitement is high for the park’s local launch. But everything changes when the park’s robots start to malfunction, exhibiting emotional responses more complex than their coding should allow, and kids begin going missing. Cameron and his new pals start unraveling the occurrences, hoping to link them with his parents’ odd behavior and a seedy corporation that’s gentrifying Atlanta. Interspersed with comics-style illustrations by Khatib (The Marvellers) and featuring enigmatic interstitials, Hunter’s debut foregrounds futuristic tech and themes about the value of charting one’s own path, creating an exhilarating mystery. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary.

November 1, 2024
The fate of Futureland is at stake in this third series entry when the evil Architects return for a winner-takes-all showdown. Cam Walker, his parents, and Uncle Trey originally planned on a much-needed vacation to Italy, bringing along Futureland, their floating amusement park home, as well as Grandma Ava and Cam's middle school friends from Atlanta. But the mysterious re-emergence of long-lost family friend Auntie Maxine coincides with these plans being derailed by familiar shadowy villains. The Architects challenge the crew to a series of high-stakes games for the future of Futureland. Obviously, the Walkers must accept. Their only saving grace is getting to choose the location--Cairo, where the technologically advanced Egyptians can serve as impartial referees. Otherwise, the Architects, with their advanced tech and lack of morals, are seemingly at an advantage. After some early issues with Cam's leadership and a shocking betrayal, Team Futureland prove to be formidable competitors in a wide array of games and puzzles incorporating Egyptian culture--ancient, contemporary, and futuristic. The Architects are nefarious cheaters in the action-packed adventure, but teamwork and kid-size savvy win out. The dynamic format includes comic spreads and other visual elements. Ultimately, though, triumph for Cam looks less like vanquishing the Architects once and for all than finally taking on normal seventh grade life. Final art not seen. A return to an exciting world of Afrofuturism where everything's on the line and there's a lot for a kid to learn. (guide to Futureland)(Science fiction. 9-13)

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