Reviews

We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly

protoman21's review

3.0

For such a short story, it took a while for me to feel connected to the kids in the story.

lediamond4's review

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved this book. I finished it in one sitting because I became so engaged with the characters and their stories. It was funny and heartbreaking, and I’m still sitting here processing how much I just loved the three siblings and just how on their own they were. It truly hurt to read at times, literally made my heart ache. They’re fictional characters but I want and hope for the best for them. 

marieintheraw's review

3.0

A little longer than necessary, but still a good story at the heart of it.

roseleaf24's review

4.0

This book brought back a lot; the problems that this family is facing feel so real and so normal, but so painful. The Challenger, though. I didn't realize before reading the author's note that most adults hadn't been watching the launch. Perhaps this disaster belongs very specifically to GenX, those of us who were watching it in our school classrooms. I hope this book continues to make it real for future generations.

c_chalfant's review

emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

moonxantarctica's review

4.0

first book im reading for fun after 5 months. excited bc i love space and coming of age ya books. i open to see the words january 1986 and audibly go "oh no." go through emotional turmoil. the ending scene ough. this book was real

also liked the philly mentions (just the sixers and rocky but still)

Spoiler

the challenger incident is a big part of the book's plot twice now, the first time was [b: How to Become a Planet|58328455|How to Become a Planet|Nicole Melleby|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649386057l/58328455._SX50_.jpg|71427068] (awesome book btw go read) which i guess makes sense in a coming of age story but it's weird it happened twice. need to conduct study by finding more ya books with a space theme.

mary_elizabeth's review

funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

keka1236's review

emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lhirl's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

bickie's review against another edition

4.0

Each chapter told from one of the siblings' point of view. They are all in 7th grade because the oldest one had to repeat a year, and the other two are twins. Each sibling is very different but they are all dealing with middle school confusion, difficult parents, and the question, "what's the point?" Set agains the backdrop of the anticipation of Challenger flight and the first teacher in space in 1986, the book nevertheless ends with hope.

Cash might have some undiagnosed learning challenges

Spoiler

though seems to pull things together from sheer will

. Fitch has anger management issues

Spoiler

though also seems to have a lot of empathy and remorse about hurting people, for which he apologizes. The comment that "at least he hasn't killed anyone" seems ironic, because in a way he seems to have killed something in Amanda. I appreciate that she does not say "It's OK" or really acknowledge his apology; he needed to say it, but she doesn't owe him anything

. Bird struggles with her mother's hyper focus on appearance and being thin juxtaposed with her peers at school thinking that "pretty isn't [her] thing." Bird sees the machine-like complexity in everything, not just the gadgets she dismantles and charts out but also the vibe in her house.

Spoiler

There is a weird chapter when Bird spends the day in her friend's house, a place where the family acts like what she thinks a family should act like.