Planet Earth is Blue is a book about Nova. She is an autistic, nonverbal girl who has been in and out of abusive foster homes. Nova has a great interest in space, and that is what she and her sister, Bridget connect with. Bridget promises Nova that she will be there at the Challenger launch, so Nova counts down the days to the Challenger launch, writing letters for Bridget. However, Challenger explodes, 1 minute and 13 seconds (a number Nova considers unlucky) in, and Nova is saddened by the fact that her sister couldn't come, and realizes why. As an active autism rights campaigner and a space enthusiast, I thought that this book portrayed autism well. The book shows how lonely autistic people can be, and the importance of changing prejudiced views about autism. Along with that, this book is historical fiction, one of my favorites! I really loved this book, and I thought that there should be more books like Planet Earth Is Blue. If you ever find this book at a library, try reading it! It will give you a new perspective on disability and hope.
Planet Earth Is Blue
By Nicole Panteleakos
A heartrending and hopeful debut novel 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 Bridget said, "No matter what, I'll be there. I promise."
Book Reviews (5)
This is a book about a girl who doesn't talk. She prefers to think. She has been separated from her big sister. Her sister promised her that she will see the new rocket challenger launch off. On that day she is not there. Still she watches the take off, it was supposed to be happy...but when challenger blows up, she sorta stops for a minute. She then realizes what and why her sister didn't come. This book is better for people who know how to handle tragedy. Also for middle schoolers. I only do not recommend it because of how it can make you think. Yes its a good book but, it was the way it made me think.
I loved this book, I never get emotional reading books but this one takes the cake I love the characters! when I finished the book I wanted more of the story. 10/10
This book was a real eye opener. I almost cried, and the author puts so much life i this book, I feel like I know the characters. Nova has been to many foster homes with her sister, Bridget. She has autism and not many people understand her. But she loves the moon, and space. She's awaiting the takeoff for the challenger and also waiting for Bridget to come back. I rate this book 4 stars.
this book wasn't that good. I thought it would be as good as wonder, but I'm disappointed. The main character is kinda hard to understand, and there are lots of loosed threads in the end. Wouldn't recommend.