Welfy Q. Deederhoth

Sometimes you have to go off-planet to discover where you belong.

In the tradition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy comes Welfy Q. Deederhoth: Meat Purveyor, World Savior, a heartwarming story of friendship, adventure, and luncheon meats.

Orphan, product of the foster care system, Welfy is a homeless runaway struggling to survive, uncertainly navigating the streets of New York City with his only friend Harlan Mills. Soon after he finds work at Gramercy Deli, he stumbles into an alternate universe where he's believed to be "The One in a dirty apron" prophesied to lead the Brundeedle race out of Woe Time. Understandably, Welfy has his doubts.

"Reach into your apron pocket " urges Princess Nnnn of the Brundeedles, as Ceparids-a violent species bent on Brundeedle destruction-surround them. More than a little perplexed, Welfy swivels, rears, miraculously avoids getting killed by Ceparid missiles as he fumbles in his apron's front pocket, and pulls out-a slice of baloney.

Can a homeless teen from New York City, armed mostly with deli foods, save an alien race from extinction?

The answer is not what you might think.

New edition with bonus material: Articles from a genuine Brundeedle news outlet: translate them into English, if you can A preview of the forthcoming "Case Files of Erasmus Twiddle," a re-imagining of Eric Laster's first kids' book, with new illustrations by Max Graenitz.

For ages 9 and up.