Junior

"Junior" by Robert Abernathy is a light-hearted science fiction story that imagines a world under the sea populated by talking sea creatures. The tale follows Junior, a young polyp, as he deals with the challenges of growing up. Early on, Junior loves exploring, causing his parents worry. As he gets older, he feels pushed to become responsible and settle down, but his curious nature makes him resist the traditional life set out for him. The story takes an unexpected turn when Junior invents a machine that lets him leave home, defying tradition and creating an uproar in his community; through its charming characters and playful style, the book humorously questions society's expectations about growing up and finding one's own path.