Releasing March 2025!

Jodi Dee Publishing presents Energy Wars: a new series for teens, coming-of-age, around the globe. With the mental health crisis and “energy wars” ensuing around us, this series is needed more than ever. It centers around a blossoming superhero, who is a typical insecure, 13-year-old boy trying to navigate a complicated social world. Energy Wars - The Awakening, Book 1 sets the stage to an unseen energy that is all around us, as Myles unravels his new found superpower. 

Description:

Myles is an average thirteen-year-old boy until one day, Sally Munson shows up with purple pants on that look like a Halloween costume. As classmates tease and make fun of her, Myles starts to see these negative words as fireballs of energy being thrown at Sally. He finds himself in the middle of a war one invisible to everyone but him!

In a suspenseful, supernatural tale of self-discovery and friendship with constant, unexpected twists and turns, Myles tries to understand his newfound superpower. He not only learns about the energy exchange between humans but the energy of all things.

Myles and his friends discover the new ZS phone is stealing people’s energy. Follow Myles as he navigates this new reality and works to stop the theft of this energy with the help of his friends.

• Grades 4th through 8th
• Middle school, middle grade, teachers pick
• Ages 8-13

Sales Handle: Told from the first person of a neurodiverse 13-year-old boy with a newfound superpower, readers are taken on a mystical journey of self-discovery and friendship. A coming-of-age thriller, yet wholesome tale without profanity, sex, or violence.

Cover Art by Steve Goad, stevegoadart.com

Product details

• Author: Jodi Dee
• Cover Illustrated By: Steve Goad
• Item Weight: .60 pounds
• Hardcover, Dust Jacketed:
• 200 pages
• ISBN-13 : 9781736209363
• Dimensions: 5.75 x 8.5
• Reading level: 8- 4 years
• Middle Grade 4th-8th
• Publisher: Jodi Dee Publishing (MARCH 2025)
• Language: English
• BISAC Subject Codes
  JUV037000 -JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic
  JUV015040 -JUVENILE FICTION / Health & Daily Living / Mindfulness & Meditation
  JUV022000 -JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / General
  JUV039140 -JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
  JUV071000 -JUVENILE FICTION / Superheroes
  JUV039020 -JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Adolescence & Coming of Age
  JUV058000 -JUVENILE FICTION / Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
  JUV039060 -JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship

Praise by Elementary and Middle Graders!

“I loved reading Energy Wars. I liked the characters, and I liked the science behind the book. The book really changed how I see unkindness in the world, and sometimes I can imagine fireballs being launched around me. I really look forward to reading the sequel.”
—Dorothy M., Mainsfield Middle School

“Wonderful concept and execution, with a message of the cause and effect actions and words can have, that resonate with all teens at any point in time perfectly (myself 100% included), in addition to the wonderful cast of characters, integrating the relatable message and thrilling mysteries seamlessly. Eagerly awaiting the continuation(s) of this lovely book.”
—Violet T., Mainsfield Middle School

“Best book I’ve ever read! My new favorite book.”
—Ethan, CR, Mainsfield Middle School

“The book was amazing, a thrilling story that readers won’t be able to put down, an amazing story to read.”
—Addison W., Sutton Elementary School

“Energy Wars was a great read. I particularly loved the dynamics between the characters. Their personalities are very relatable and I loved their friendships with each other. I enjoyed the creative story twists and I especially can’t wait to read the sequel. I definitely recommend this book to all young readers.”
—Olivia L., Mainsfield Middle School

“An amazing tale! It was fun to read, educational, and thought-provoking!”
—Amanda W., West Springfield Lifestyle

“I loved how the characters worked together and how the new Zphone takes away your energy. Another thing I found interesting was the light beings, and how Myles is/was one. I found it cool how only Myles can see the energy balls. I would like to see them too. Very fun and interesting book!”
—Aliyah H., Sutton Elementary School

Trade Reviews!

KIRKUS

Overall, Dee focuses less on the superheroic elements of her story than she does on themes of empathy and friendship, and her book has a strong anti-bullying message throughout. Still, readers who enjoy superhero origin stories will enjoy this tale, even though there’s no clear inciting incident that activates Myles’ powers; there is, however, an amusing allusion to a spider bite as the possible trigger. The story also includes some standout scenes that young readers will find relatable, as when Myles begins a journey of self-acceptance: “Where do those thoughts come from? I would never say hurtful things like I think about myself to Charlie or Sally… Sometimes, it feels like my thoughts are my worst enemy.” A thrilling but thoughtful adventure that older children and tweens are likely to enjoy.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jodi-dee/energy-wars-the-awakening/

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - BOOKLIFE

Dee skillfully conveys basic tenets of quantum physics as she powers readers through the fast-paced story. The author also shows the simple power of kindness and what a difference it can make in a peer who is struggling. Myles proves this when he befriends Lucy, a girl from an often-moving military family. ”We also have a responsibility to not spread misery,” the protagonist opines, with wise words readers will learn from. “And you can’t fake it, because energy is real. You are affecting people around you even when you don’t know it. We need to learn to become aware of our own energy and to contain or control it.” This is tangible advice to readers who may be unconvinced of their important places in the world.

Dee deftly makes the unusual and offbeat believable, with characters who engender loyalty. Skillful plotting and lively prose power readers through the pages, eager to find out the next step in Myles’ complicated destiny. Impatient readers won’t be happy to find that this tale ends on a tantalizing cliffhanger, but they’ll be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Takeaway: Imaginative adventure emphasizing kindness, inclusion, and quantum physics.
Comparable Titles: Aimee Lucido’s Emmy in the Key of Code, Gordon Korman’s The Unteachables.

https://booklife.com/project/energy-wars-the-awakening-94624  

THE CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW

In this intriguing middle-grade novel, quantum physics meets superhero adventure in a story that teaches kids about the tangible effects of their behavior on others. 

Myles is just a typical middle-school kid – until the day he starts seeing fireballs flying through the air whenever people speak to one another. Convinced he must be going crazy, Myles decides to do some research and discovers that every human being has their own energy field and can influence the energy fields of others through the things they say and do—this must be what he is seeing! But why can he see it when no one else can? It doesn’t take Myles long to realize he’s been given an important mission—to save the other middle school kids from the devastating effects of the negative energy they were launching at each other all day long. Luckily, he has some excellent friends to help him because bringing about change in the war zone, which is middle school, is no easy feat!

Myles is a shy, thoughtful, conscientious protagonist, and as he navigates familiar bullying scenarios—from an unusual outfit to the new kid in school—readers will see him model kindness, friendship, inclusion, and other positive behaviors. While his superpower of seeing energy is cool (especially when it allows him to destroy a life-energy-sucking smartphone), the story centers on the new relationships he forms and his unique gift of making others around him feel good. The story also contains more subtle messages about the impacts of technology on our lives, relationships, and mental/emotional energy. The first-person narration invites readers directly into Myles’ head, allowing them to live the experience of being a ‘kindness’ superhero.

Energy Wars is an appealing adventure about the power of personal actions to have real and tangible positive impacts on the world. It offers an empowering and uplifting message for young teens. 

https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/energy-wars-the-awakening-dedicated-review/ 

READERS FAVORITE https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/energy-wars

READERS FAVORITE, 5 STAR

Energy is all around us; it forms a vital part of every plant, person, and thing in this world. When Myles witnessed an event at school in which one of his peers, Sally, became a target for bullies, he never thought that energy might be the driving force behind it. During that strange event at school, Myles thought he was losing his mind because he saw what appeared to be huge balls of energy crashing into her and everyone who got in the way. Not sure what to do with that newfound information about himself, Myles, together with Sally, his best friend Charlie, and with the help from his late grandmother's letters, discovers a whole new world of secrets, intrigue, and battles invisible to everyone else but him. Or so he thought. Will he be able to save the world and find out who he truly is in the process?

With immersive storytelling, Jodi Dee brings the topic of energy wars to a different level. The characters and the plot that revolves around them, building their lives and depicting their emotional states, create a solid foundation for an intriguing story that will slowly play out before the reader's eyes. The writing flows easily, and the atmosphere of all the situations that Myles has to go through to even start planning to save the world is realistic and transports the reader into this seemingly simple, ordinary world of a teen still searching for the reason for his existence. Energy Wars has an underlying important theme that tackles the topic of bullying in school, the relationships people choose to have with one another, and how that affects our lives and emotional states. The theme is so well embedded in the story that it feels relatable and genuine. I would recommend this wonderful and exciting book to everyone who needs an additional energy boost to tackle life and all the challenges it might bring.

READERS FAVORITE, 5 STAR

Energy Wars: The Awakening is a fantastic first installment in what promises to be an absorbing sci-fi/fantasy series for teens and tweens. Fast-paced and entertaining from the first page to the last, Jodi Dee's captivating story keeps you hooked with a delightful combination of mystery, lore, and intrigue. At its heart, this is a superhero origin story. The main characters are immensely likable and act like kids around their age. Myles is a fascinating person and someone who goes out of his way to help others. I loved his friendships with Charlie and Sally, as well as his determination to help Ethan. The book ends on a cliffhanger, which made me even more interested in reading the sequel. On the whole, this is the perfect sci-fi/fantasy adventure book for children and young adults.

READERS FAVORITE, 5 STAR

Energy Wars by Jodi Dee is not just a book for teens. The various issues covered are of consequence to society in general. I believe our social responsibility is not to cause misery. Loving oneself from the inside and not letting negativity from others affect one is a step in the right direction in creating a holistically healthy society. I loved the emphasis on tolerance and diversity and the importance of acknowledging and embracing the changes in the world on social issues like marriage. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about how the increase in stress in the current world has contributed to the rise of mental health issues and diseases. Jodi also used easy-to-understand language, which made the book effective in passing on the intended message and accessible to all kinds of readers.

READERS FAVORITE, 5 STAR

Jodi Dee begins Energy Wars with a bang, kicking off with tones of mystery and suspense that immediately engage and set up a sense of urgency that continues through the book. I really enjoyed Myles' unique perspective and thought the dialogue between characters was consistently natural and realistic. The way characters interact, joke, and express concern for each other reflects authentic behavior, grounding the plot in reality even as it explores fantastical elements. Where Dee shines as an author is in her ability to thread symbolism through her work, with Myles's supernatural "Energy Wars" serving as a brilliant metaphor for the emotional and social conflicts typical of adolescence. Dee allows readers to explore themes of anger, bullying, and the unseen emotional battles that occur in everyday life. The pace is quick, the writing is clean and totally engrossing, and the ending both satisfies and flirts with room to expand. Very highly recommended.

READERS FAVORITE, 5 STAR

Energy Wars: The Awakening by Jodi Dee is a stunning young adult paranormal thriller. It’s a fun story but it has several serious messages throughout. The most important one is about bullying, a message that tells kids bullying is not acceptable. But it’s also a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and empathy, and it teaches that words have an energy that can heal or hurt. This story is full of twists and turns, with plenty of action and clear dialog that makes it easy to follow. The characters are wonderful, and all kids will relate to them in some way. This is a highly imaginative story by an author whose work I have read before, but be prepared for a cliffhanger ending, leaving you desperate to read the next in the series. A great story that will resonate with youngsters everywhere, and it should be a part of every school and home library.