Planet Earth is Blue
Nicole Panteleakos, Author
Wendy Lamb Books, Fiction, May 14, 2019
Suitable for Ages: 8-12
Pages: 240
Themes: Sisters, Autism, Loss, Foster families, Astronomy, Challenger space shuttle, Accidents
Opening: Bridget was gone. And Nova was broken.
Synopsis:
Twelve-year-old Nova is eagerly awaiting the launch of the space shuttle Challenger. Nova and her big sister, Bridget, love astronomy, and they planned to watch the launch together. But Bridget has run away, and now Nova is in another new foster home.
Nova is autistic. Speaking is hard for her. Teachers and foster families have always believed that she isn’t as smart as other kids. They don’t realize that she can read, count, and understand conversations. If they listened more intently, they’d realize that she can speak. She really wants to read the Bridge to Terebithia and A Wrinkle in Time, but teachers keep reading her picture books. She’s fallen through the cracks. Only Bridget knows how very wrong they are. But now, as the liftoff draws closer, others begin to see how intelligent Nova is. And every day, she’s counting down to the launch of the first teacher into space, and to the moment when she’ll see Bridget again. Will Bridget keep her promise to Nova?
What I like about this book:
Nicole Panteleakos’s debut novel is a sensitive, captivating and heartbreaking tale that begins 10 days before the fateful launch of the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1986. Nova has two reasons to be excited about the launch — her love of space travel and her big sister’s promise to return to watch the event with her.
Panteleakos realistically portrays Nova’s challenges — based on her own experiences of being on the spectrum — while always emphasizing her strengths. Nova is a resilient, imaginative and intelligent protagonist, who is non-verbal. Unfortunately Nova’s social worker and teachers underestimate her abilities and label her “mentally retarded.” They fail her. Only her older sister, Bridget, patiently works with Nova, knows how to communicate with her, and sees her abilities. She calls Nova a “thinker not a talker.” But Bridget is gone and Nova is alone.
Through a series of letters written by Nova to her sister in the story, readers experience the world through Nova’s inner voice — including her emotions, frustrations, anger, fears and imagination. The letters are a window into Nova’s desire for a “forever home”and her fear of disappointment if she becomes too attached. And readers will see the many important breakthroughs for Nova as she learns to trust and connect with her loving foster family — the 11th family in seven years.
Readers will learn about astronomy, space travel, the history of the space program, the first teacher chosen to go into space, Christa McAuliffe, and the Challenger Program, which “taught kids anyone could have a dream.” They will also learn what it’s like to be autistic in the mid-80s, and the foster home system. There is so much to love about this book — the setting, the characters, and the plot. And there is a huge twist at the end, that even blindsided me. Make sure you check out the interesting Author’s Note at the end of the book, because there is important information about the Challenger launch, the author’s experiences with Asperger’s, and the history of autism over the past century.
Nicole Panteleakos is a middle-grade author, playwright, and Ravenclaw whose plays have been performed at numerous theaters and schools in Connecticut and New York City. She earned her BA in Theatre Scriptwriting from Eastern Connecticut State University and is currently working toward her MFA in Children’s Literature at Hollins University. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and has three awesome godchildren, two quirky cats, and at least one Broadway song stuck in her head at all times. Planet Earth Is Blue is her debut novel. Visit Nicole at her website.
Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.
*Reviewed from a library copy.
This sounds like a really interesting book, Patricia. It is good to see so many more books with characters with autism now. I am intrigued to know how Nova responds to the Challenger’s crash. Thanks for sharing.
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I won’t give the ending away. I was a bit surprised by the ending. Love this book, because it emphasizes Nova’s abilities.
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Now I’m even more intrigued. 🙂
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Sounds like a really powerful book. Being autistic and in foster care would be so hard.
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It is a powerful, but inspiring story. I enjoyed spending time with Nova and watching her growth!
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This sounds like a very interesting and powerful book. Will put it on my list. Thanks for the wonderful review, Pat!
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It’s one of my favorite books this year. I hope you enjoy Nova’s journey!
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I read this too, Patricia. And I agree that it’s beautifully written and heartbreaking, but the ending didn’t blindside me at all. (It almost seemed too obvious.)
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I didn’t see the signs until the very end. That’s unusual for me.
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Thank you for sharing this poignant novel with us for MMGM, Patricia. I was working with a third grade class as a student teacher when the Challenger crashed. The students were absolutely crushed because they were so excited about the mission. This book sounds as if it deals with some other difficult topics, too.
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You feel the same excitement in the book as you did as a teacher in the class. There was such a build-up for students.
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I love this book so much I own a copy! Communication is so easily taken for granted. Two thumbs up for sharing this book. I wasn’t surprised by the ending, but that didn’t matter to me.
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I’m glad I could give this book some more book love. I want to share with a grandchild.
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This one has popped up on my radar before and sounds absolutely heart-breaking, but also incredibly healing and important. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Can you shoot me an email? You are the randomly selected winner of The Maypop Mystery, but I can’t seem to locate your email anywhere! If you can contact me by the end of the day I can get this book out to you!
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Thank you so much. Sorry, I didn’t respond to my comments right away. Removed your e-mail address from the post. Sent an e-mail.
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So many moments in our exploration of space mark important times. The plot of this one sounds amazing and heartfelt. Love the cover. I’m looking forward to getting my own copy and getting to that ending which you and Joanne disagree on. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.
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Two other people saw it coming — I didn’t for some reason until the last minute. I really enjoyed this book!
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This one hits so many issues. Nonverbal autistic kids in the 80s were not well understood and woefully underserved. Brava to the author, Nicole Panteleakos.
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You are spot on — people didn’t understand autism very well. I though the author handled it very well!
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Thanks for sharing your review of this book. I’m putting it on my TBR list!
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That’s great. I loved this book, even though it was heartbreaking.
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This sounds like an amazing book. I will definitely be looking for it. Thanks for a thoughtful review.
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Thanks! I hope you have a chance to read and review it!
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Wow, this sounds like it has so many layers to it. Thanks for the review. Really looking forward to getting my hands on this.
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I think you will enjoy the story and the time period. Others saw the ending, I didn’t until the last minute.
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I missed this review! This sounds like a great book! I’m going to have to take a look. Thanks for featuring, Patricia!
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It is an good story. I love to stories that shows and autistic child’s potential. The ending caught me by surprise.
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