The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez

De: Jasminne Paulino

Narrado por: Joey Florez

A powerful debut novel in verse about a neurodivergent seventh grader who dreams of traveling to the stars one day.

“This story is about a boy who is certain of his own magic in the midst of the doubtful adults around him. A kid who knows not even the sky, but the stars are the limit. Which makes Paulino's debut...extraordinary.”—Jason Reynolds, author of National Book Award finalist Look Both Ways and Newbery Honor Book Long Way Down

Seventh grader Alex's favorite things to do are watching YouTube videos of rocket launches with his Papi and spending hours on the NASA website reading about astronauts and planets. He even dreams of going to space one day himself, and knows he'll have to study hard in order to get there.

But Alex is in his grade's SC (self-contained) classroom, which means doing the same dull worksheets every day and reading books his sister read back in the third grade. Worst of all, being in SC means nobody thinks he's ready to join Ms. Rosef's mainstream science class—the class Alex knows will be the first step on his path to NASA.

When his teacher says "not yet" for the millionth time, Alex decides it's time to make a change. Now he's ready to try everything he can to get the people in his life—his teachers, his parents, and the kids at school—to understand that he, Alex Ramirez, is capable of the extraordinary.

©2025 Jasminne Paulino (P)2025 Listening Library

Reseñas de la Crítica

* “Written in spare, authentic verse interspersed with naturally flowing Spanish that reflects Alex’s roots, Paulino's debut captures one student’s aspirations and climb to success as he becomes the hero of his own story. Readers will identify with Alex and his friends’ desire to be seen, heard, and challenged for who they are rather than trapped by others’ stereotype-informed views of their diagnoses. Targeted to middle-schoolers, this book will appeal beyond the age range, touching hearts and consciences. A must-read.”—Booklist, starred review

“The ways that others—teachers and even his own mother—try to limit Alex will tug on readers’ heartstrings and have them cheering for him as he learns to advocate for himself . . . Paulino lays out her accessibly written verse in varied ways on the page, effectively adding visual interest. An uplifting debut about the importance of self-belief.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Paulino sensitively portrays [Alex's challenges] using intimate verse. Alex’s relationship with his family as well as his Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage inform his perspective—Spanish dialogue appears throughout—while depictions of supportive adults impart an affirming undertone to this earnest debut about neurodivergent students and kids with learning differences seeking to advocate for their needs and wants.”—Publishers Weekly