Name: Dustin Wyse-Fisher's review of We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly
Item: We Dream of Space
Rating: 4
Author: Dustin Wyse-Fisher

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

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. 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.

Best advise for every step of anyone’s life. 

Amira BEN

“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.”

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.

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

I just loved the astronomical expressions lol

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Dustin Wyse-Fisher

Ah to be a middle schooler. This story is very sweet, with characters that are ordinary yet lovely. Kelly writes with a simple style that her contains depth; I think reading this as a person who has finally healed from the horrors of middle school made it feel so genuine, authentic, and sweet.

Well I never thought I would be that must invested in a very slice of life story lol 

It wasn’t what I expected from the title but I had a nice time with it and it was interesting

I’m rounding it down because honestly the ending was quite unsatisfying. I feel like there was still some development needed for some characters I wish I had assisted to more growth although they’re kids so they’re still growing to do 🤣 

Anyway it was nice, I highlighted some nice part and it felt relatable in a way. We’ve all been kids at one point 🙃

Well I never thought I would be that must invested in a very slice of life story lol 

It wasn’t what I expected from the title but I had a nice time with it and it was interesting

I’m rounding it down because honestly the ending was quite unsatisfying. I feel like there was still some development needed for some characters I wish I had assisted to more growth although they’re kids so they’re still growing to do 🤣 

Anyway it was nice, I highlighted some nice part and it felt relatable in a way. We’ve all been kids at one point 🙃

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

Some things can't be fixed even if all the parts are there. Some words once spoken in anger and frustration cannot be taken back. And sometimes losing the most important thing in your life can lead you to a brand new way forward. All of these realizations bring older brother Cash and 12 year-old fraternal twins Fitch and Bird closer in the universe that centers their fraught family and their peer-pressured school lives. Here is a story I recognize from growing up in the 80s, and a view into the historical moment when the Challenger shuttle exploded, reverberating through schools and towns eagerly watching the launch live. While I really wish the coming together of the siblings had been paced better and not so rushed, and that the rings of empathy circling each brother and sister in their lonely orbits had been less crystalline and more substantial, I believe in the ways that Kelly tells a story of a family on the verge and the children who make their own constellation in order to heal and understand each other better.

Kath Lau

There’s no denying that I love Kelly and her books. She’s my go-to whenever I’m in the mood for some middle grade stories. This book focuses around three siblings who are all in 7th grade. Bird, one of the siblings, definitely stole the show for me. I would want her as my little sister. This book is also set in the 80s specifically during the month leading up to the Challenger launch and reading about it was emotional. There were just things that I wished were resolved or answered in the end.

Dustin Wyse-Fisher &
We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly

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Dustin Wyse-Fisher &We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly

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Dustin Wyse-Fisher &
We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly