Staff Pick
Nova is an 11-year-old nonverbal autistic girl in foster care who is intensely interested in space. In particular she's interested in the Challenger space shuttle launch which will bring the return of her sister, Bridget. She is so enthralled and overwhelmed with the idea of space that she excitedly stims, but the people around her don't quite understand why. Nor do they understand how intelligent she is. Through the 10 or so days of this book, you really get to understand Nova and what's important to her. This book is an amazing exploration of autism and grief, change, and hope. I would highly recommend this story for those who enjoyed Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine, or for those who are close to the topics at hand. Recommended By Rin S., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Tender and illuminating. A beautiful debut. --Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me A heartrending and hopeful story about a nonverbal girl and her passion for space exploration, for fans of See You in the Cosmos, Mockingbird, and The Thing About Jellyfish.
Twelve-year-old Nova is eagerly awaiting the launch of the space shuttle Challenger--it's the first time a teacher is going into space, and kids across America will watch the event on live TV in their classrooms. Nova and her big sister, Bridget, share a love of astronomy and the space program. They planned to watch the launch together. But Bridget has disappeared, and Nova is in a new foster home.
While foster families and teachers dismiss Nova as severely autistic and nonverbal, Bridget understands how intelligent and special Nova is, and all that she can't express. As the liftoff draws closer, Nova's new foster family and teachers begin to see her potential, and for the first time, she is making friends without Bridget. But every day, she's counting down to the launch, and to the moment when she'll see Bridget again. Because as Bridget said, No matter what, I'll be there. I promise.