We Dream of Space

In Erin Entrada Kelly's Newbery Honor Book, We Dream of Space, set in 1986, readers meet siblings Cash, Fitch, and Bird Thomas as they navigate the challenges of seventh grade in Park, Delaware. Each sibling grapples with personal struggles—from Cash’s academic troubles and Fitch’s temper to Bird's aspirations of becoming NASA’s first female shuttle commander—all while the nation anticipates the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. As their enthusiastic science teacher, Ms. Salonga, tasks them with a mission project, the siblings find themselves drawn together in unexpected ways, exploring themes of family, friendship, and the thrill of exploration. This engaging middle grade novel captures the enduring bonds of family against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in history.