What is My Tiny Universe about?
Leif is nearly 12, has two older sisters and parents who dote on him. He is small for his age, and is named Patient Zero by specialists for Climate Induced Anomalies. He has many allergies, phobias and needs, but is incredibly intelligent.
His intelligence is above his classmates, making him unrelatable to most. He tries, but cannot make friends. When he finally does find a friend – it brings trouble for everyone around him.
Plot summary of My Tiny Universe (No Spoilers)
Leif introduces himself to the reader as a Certified Science enthusiast and also the kid who just burnt down the School Science block. He swears he didn’t mean to, and his friend Albie had something to do with it, but he really doesn’t want to talk about it.
He tells the reader of his problems in making friends, and why, and then finally meeting Albert or Albie for short. Albie finally gets Leif, the first friend ever to do so and they spend all their time together – until the fire.
Holly is Leif’s middle sister sibling, and she tells the reader how it really is. She loves her little brother, but he has a tendency to leave out bits of his life.
The fire brings everything to a head and repercussions send Leif into more danger, and his family frantic.
Review
Maryam Master’s stories always surprise me and My Tiny Universe served me a curve ball I didn’t expect. I read it in one sitting, marvelling at the book that looked like a simple tale of school friendships and sibling troubles all mixed in with first person geeky humour, but had become so much more.
My Tiny Universe is clever, concise, funny and thought provoking and incredibly topical with so much new technology at our fingertips and becoming part of our daily lives.
Book Style
204 pages / Short chapters from main character Leif and one of his older sisters – named Holly / Each character is speaking direct to the reader and is displayed in different fonts. There are fun fonts throughout as Leif describes past events and what’s happening.
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
10+
Where & When is it set?
Set in the future where Climate Change has cities split into Inner Circle & Outer Circle. The OC has trucked in water, little housing or services.
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
Two Viewpoints / First person /Past tense
What genre is My Tiny Universe?
Middle Grade Fiction
Themes
Future / Family / Friendship / Technology / AI / Humour
Is it part of a series?
No
Find other novels by this author here
Author
Maryam Master
Publisher
Pan Macmillan Australia
(2026, Pan Macmillan Australia, Humour, School, Family, Friendship, Future, Funny, Technology, AI, Science, Climate Change, Environment, Social Change, Choices)