Press 1 for Invasion, J. A. Dauber
Press 1 for Invasion, J. A. Dauber
List: $18.99 | Sale: $12.91
Club: $9.49

Press 1 for Invasion

Author: J. A. Dauber

Narrator: Aden Hakimi

Unabridged: 5 hr 58 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/09/2025


Synopsis

A kid who just wanted a cell phone ends up being responsible for saving the world from an alien invasion in this hilarious, action-packed new middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe and Gordon Korman.

Ten-year-old Matt really wants a phone, but his parents won’t let him have one. When he finds one just lying on the sidewalk, he naturally picks it up and claims it for himself. But when Matt uses his new phone to take pictures, they show the crossing guard in front of his school as a monster. But that can’t be right…can it?

Matt soon learns that: a) his lunch lady is also a monster (actually, an alien); b) an invasion of Earth is due to take place within the next few days; and c) the lunch lady is having cold feet (well, tentacles) about the whole thing and wants his help. Matt and his friend Marcela join forces with her to save the planet.

Battles in their school cafeteria and high above the Earth’s atmosphere place them in very close encounters with alien pets and the business end of a gigantic oven. As the danger mounts, Matt and Marcela must ask themselves what they’re willing to risk to save their friends, their family, and their world.

About J. A. Dauber

When he’s not writing about aliens, J.A. Dauber can be found talking to students about books, movies, and other fun stuff at Columbia University in New York City, where he is a professor. He lives right near there, with his family, so that he can walk to work and see if anyone has dropped anything. Like a phone. After all, you never know. He also wrote a YA novel about a teenage supervillain named Mayhem which won an award from the Children’s Book Council.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mark on April 21, 2025

What worked: Matt is an unlikely hero, as he doesn’t seem to have any friends beyond Geno. However, he only hangs out with Geno because of his amazing collection of comics. One of Matt’s redeeming qualities is his kindness toward the lunch ladies. Most of the students make fun of them, but Matt takes......more

Goodreads review by Tonja on June 23, 2025

School life mixes with a quirky but exciting adventure in a read, which lets the imagination fly and builds fun tension the entire way through. Matt wants a cell phone, but his parents won't let him have one. So, when he finds one laying on the sidewalk and no one is around to claim it, he decides it......more

Goodreads review by Kim on September 08, 2025

This book is a silly, action-packed middle-grade adventure where two unlikely kids end up saving the world from tentacled, multi-eyed aliens (who think humans are their next snack—yikes!). Matt, our kind-hearted but often-teased hero, can see the aliens thanks to his mismatched eyes, while everyone......more

Goodreads review by Abby on September 19, 2025

So fun and great for a range of kids. Hope they make it into a movie!......more

Goodreads review by Yossi on September 14, 2025

A fun adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously. I couldn't put it down (I read it in 2 days), and I'm looking forward to reading it to our kiddos when they're ready.......more