Erin Entrada Kelly

“A captivating story about family’s enduring bonds.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Another wondrous title from a remarkably talented author.” —Booklist (starred review) “A 10 out of 10. Anyone interested in science, sibling relationships, and friendships will enjoy reading We Dream of Space.” —Time for Kids Newbery Medalist and New York Times–bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly transports readers to 1986 and introduces them to the unforgettable Cash, Fitch, and Bird Thomas in this pitch-perfect middle grade novel about family, friendship, science, and exploration. A great choice for readers of Kate DiCamillo, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Rebecca Stead. Great for summer reading or anytime! A Today show pick for “25 children’s books your kids and teens won’t be able to put down this summer!" Cash, Fitch, and Bird Thomas are three siblings in seventh grade together in Park, Delaware. In 1986, as the country waits expectantly for the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger, they each struggle with their own personal anxieties. Cash, who loves basketball but has a newly broken wrist, is in danger of failing seventh grade for the second time. Fitch spends every afternoon playing Major Havoc at the arcade on Main and wrestles with an explosive temper that he doesn’t understand. And Bird, his twelve-year-old twin, dreams of being NASA’s first female shuttle commander, but feels like she’s disappearing. The Thomas children exist in their own orbits, circling a tense and unpredictable household, with little in common except an enthusiastic science teacher named Ms. Salonga. As the launch of the Challenger approaches, Ms. Salonga gives her students a project—they are separated into spacecraft crews and must create and complete a mission. When the fated day finally arrives, it changes all of their lives and brings them together in unexpected ways. Told in three alternating points of view, We Dream of Space is an unforgettable and thematically rich novel for middle grade readers. We Dream of Space is illustrated throughout by the author.

We Dream of Space

Amira BEN

Bird: A girl at school said being pretty isn’t my thing. She says being smart is my thing. I already know I’m smart.

 Judith Resnik: So, what’s your question? 

Judith Resnik: In my opinion, being smart is pretty.

The universe has no beginning and no end. Just a vast space that goes on forever. A person could easily disappear into it.

More like a cosmic event that happened outside of her solar system, which she would study with detached curiosity before going about her normal business. If people were “cute,” she didn’t notice. If “going together” was a social badge of honor, she didn’t need it. It didn’t occur to her to enter into this orbit herself. As far as she knew, it didn’t occur to anyone else.

How is it still my case ? Am I a 12 yo nerdy girl in my head ? Lol

for whatever reason, Bird wasn’t interested in making boys the center of any conversation. She’d rather listen to Dani talk about Star Trek for two hours straight.

I just loved the astronomical expressions lol

One day—maybe—Bird would want to travel in the social orbit of boyfriendhood. But not today.

“Luke who?” the woman said. “Luke . . .” His mind said Skywalker, but that was just too ridiculous. Why was he so stupid? “Just Luke.”

Brokaw also asked if people in her life—particularly men—were threatened by the fact that she was a female astronaut. “If they are, they’re probably not my friends,” she said.

Best advise for every step of anyone’s life. 

“I advise others to take on challenges, even if you think they are too hard, even if you think you might fail. Give yourself challenges that are exciting, and be available to help others. There is no better feeling than helping someone else.”

We Dream of Space quotes

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