Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos Published by Wendy Lamb Books on May 14, 2019
Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction
Pages: 240
Source: Blog Tour
My content rating: MG (Deals with themes of death)
My rating:
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."
Planet Earth Is Blue is a heartwrenching portrayal of a little girl who can’t tell the world who she truly is. The book is set in the 80s and starts ten days before the fateful launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. The story centers around Nova, a non-verbal autistic girl. She struggles to show the world that she is more than they think she is—that though she can’t speak well, she is intelligent and curious. It’s a portrayal of profound autism that we don’t typically see, and one that would help any reader to understand someone who is different. Nova doesn’t think like the average 12-year-old; she can’t always respond the way a typical 12-year-old would respond; she can’t do everything her peers can do, but she is still a vibrant and worthy human being. I think anyone could benefit from seeing the world through her eyes. The author is on the spectrum herself, and she worked with autistic children, and you can tell that she brings her own love, strength and compassion to Nova.
Nova’s foster family loves her and believes in her in a way that the “system” has never been able to do, but Nova still yearns for her older sister, who has told her that she will return for her for the launch of the Challenger, no matter what (Nova’s sister shared her love of space exploration with Nova and fostered that love in Nova herself). The book is a countdown to the launch in many ways—and a countdown to Nova’s emotional breakthrough (prepare to be heartbroken for her!).
I highly recommend this book to anyone—adults and children alike will learn from Nova and her story of strength and resilience in a world that doesn’t understand her.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
About The Author
Nicole Panteleakos is an author, playwright, thespian, and Ravenclaw. Her debut novel PLANET EARTH IS BLUE (Wendy Lamb Books, Penguin Random House) will be out in bookstores nationwide on May 14, 2019, with a second middle grade novel to follow in 2020. She is represented by agent Katie Grimm at Don Congdon Associates and belongs to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: Metro NY. She is also a Lifetime Member of the VFW Auxiliary and National Home for Children, a godmother of three, and a regular contributor to Nanny Magazine. When not writing, she can usually be found reading fanfiction, playing board games, doing community theatre, or adding to her Alice in Wonderland coffee cup collection.
3 winners will receive a finished copy of PLANET EARTH IS BLUE, US Only.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
5/6/2019- Lifestyle Of Me– Review
5/7/2019- Lone Tree Reviews– Review
5/8/2019- Beagles & Books– Review
5/9/2019- Book-Keeping– Review
5/10/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction– Review
Week Two:
5/13/2019- BookHounds YA– Review
5/14/2019- Bri’s Book Nook– Review
5/15/2019- The Layaway Dragon– Review
5/16/2019- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review
5/17/2019- Novel Novice– Excerpt
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18 responses to “Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos: Review & Giveaway”
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As soon as I first read this premise, I added this book to my must read list. I can’t wait to get to know this character and follow her on her emotional journey.
I think you’ll love it, Danielle!
This was one of my CWW picks, and it sounds like I was right about it. I got a little emotional just reading your review, so I am pretty sure this one will be a hit for me.
Okay, I’m wracking my brain to figure out the CWW acronym and coming up empty. Is it like Waiting on Wednesday?
Another blogger took it over, when the original host stopped blogging, and she rebranded it Can’t Wait Wednesday
Ah, okay. That makes sense.
Sold! I just finished One for the Murphys which also deals with foster care. I so want to pick this one up after reading your review!
I’ll have to check out One for the Murphys. Hope you love this one!
I hardly ever read middle grade. I think the last time I did was when my kids were middle graders and that’s been a while, but this story sounds wonderful and touching! I’d like to get to know Nova and her story. Wonderful review, Nicole and thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
I went a while without reading MG as well when my kids (mostly) grew out of it. But now that I’ve jumped back in, I’m finding that I’m enjoying it as much or more than I used to. 🙂
Love this story about an autistic girl. My nephew is autistic and I’m planning on getting this book for him for his mom to read to him over the summer. They are, many times very intelligent bu5 unable to express their feelings and emotions. Excellent Nicole! ❤️❤️
I read your post about books to read with your nephew—loved your insights!
This sounds like such a wonderful book! I’m so glad your review introduced me to it!
I’m glad too! 🙂
While it’s not my usual kind of read it does sound like I would enjoy it.
Sometimes it’s fun to read something different.
This one kind of reminds me of Out of my Mind by Sharon M Draper which I also loved. It’s also about a nonverbal young girl who can’t tell the world some of the things she wants to. I think I would really appreciate this one too so thank you for putting it on my radar 🙂
Oh, I’ll definitely have to check that one out. Thanks for telling me about it.