Planet Earth is Blue

Planet Earth is Blue
Nicole Panteleakos
Penguin, 2019 240 pages
Grades 4-8
Historical Fiction

Debut author, Panteleakos takes us inside the mind of a twelve-year-old non-verbal Autistic girl. Nova is bright and has a lot to say, only the world sees her as "retarded" and extremely limited. Making matters worse, Nova is an orphan and the only person to champion her, older sister Bridget, is missing. It is 1986 and Autism research is in its infancy. Social workers, foster parents, and teachers do not know how to effectively communicate with Nova or properly understand her condition. Both Nova and Bridget have always been interested in space travel and Nova spends hours listening to Bowie's Space Oddity, waiting for Bridget to return. Bridget promised to be there for the launching of the Challenger, launching with the first teacher in space, so Nova knows she will see her sister soon. Meanwhile, a new foster home brings a family who sees potential in Nova and starts to unlock the secrets buried inside of her. She finally begins to feel safe and loved. If only Bridget was here. Finally, the day of the Challenger's launch arrives with historically disastrous results, triggering the memory of truth behind Bridget's whereabouts. Will Nova be able to pick up the pieces and continue forward?

This has been truly a space travel summer. From the Summer Reading Club theme to the fiftieth anniversary of the lunar landing, everywhere I look is space travel, which is something both the kids and my library and myself love. The market is responding to this trend with the release of many such themed books throughout this year. Planet Earth is Blue traces the Challenger Disaster as seen through the eyes of a severely Autistic girl who loves outer space. Although Nova cannot communicate to the outside world, we are privy to her thoughts and letters to her missing sister offer a first person narration of the events in the proceeding chapter. Since the 1980's setting is integral to the story, this book is clearly historical fiction. A little mystery is included concerning the whereabouts of Bridget. Hints are given throughout the story, though the truth still comes as a blow to the reader. Heartfelt and sad, yet still hopeful, have tissues ready as the story reaches its climax. Fans of Out of My Mind and Wonder will find much to enjoy in this story and it will fill the bill for the steady stream of requests for problem novels that I receive from young readers. An author's note at the end gives historic background of this famous space disaster and also offers information about Autism and the narrator's own journey with Asperger’s. A great book with many layers, this title has Newbery potential.