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cynragona 's review for:
We Dream of Space
by Erin Entrada Kelly
The defining event in this middle grade novel is the failed Challenger launch in 1986. The story is told from the shifting points of view of three siblings, all in middle school at the time.
I was a freshman in high school at the time of these events, so the heavy dose of period-appropriate brands, video games, and other references was thoroughly enjoyable. All of these will be lost on the target audience, except for historical accuracy, but parent readers will enjoy the trip down memory lane.
I felt like the three children's characters were distinct and well-crafted. Unfortunately, each suffers in their own way from their parents' neglect, bad marriage, and poor parenting. I found it hard to read. The sister, Bird, is the center of the book and of the family, and she is most fascinated by the Challenger launch. Bird is mechanically inclined and relates to one of the female astronauts, so there is a strong feminist thread to this book, which I liked.
However, the real redemptive moment ultimately involves the kids' realizing that their parents aren't going to help them and that they have to help themselves and each other. That may be a valid and important lesson, but I didn't enjoy it, and it didn't leave me feeling optimistic.
I was a freshman in high school at the time of these events, so the heavy dose of period-appropriate brands, video games, and other references was thoroughly enjoyable. All of these will be lost on the target audience, except for historical accuracy, but parent readers will enjoy the trip down memory lane.
I felt like the three children's characters were distinct and well-crafted. Unfortunately, each suffers in their own way from their parents' neglect, bad marriage, and poor parenting. I found it hard to read. The sister, Bird, is the center of the book and of the family, and she is most fascinated by the Challenger launch. Bird is mechanically inclined and relates to one of the female astronauts, so there is a strong feminist thread to this book, which I liked.
However, the real redemptive moment ultimately involves the kids' realizing that their parents aren't going to help them and that they have to help themselves and each other. That may be a valid and important lesson, but I didn't enjoy it, and it didn't leave me feeling optimistic.