Planet Earth Is Blue

By: Nicole Panteleakos

Narrated by: Dylan Moore

"Tender and illuminating. A beautiful debut." --Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me

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."

Critic reviews

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year

“Pantleakos masterfully blends character and plot in this gorgeous, hopeful story.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“Bursting with worry, joy, empathy, humor, and even mischief, Nova is endearingly nuanced... Stellar.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“An exceptional debut featuring a character everyone can root for.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Tender and illuminating, Planet Earth is Blue is a beautiful debut novel about the strength of a girl who knows exactly who she is, even when others can’t see her.” —Rebecca Stead, Newbery-winning author of When You Reach Me

“A powerful story about the extraordinary mind of a young girl with autism and the bond between sisters.” —Ann M. Martin, Newbery Honor–winning author of A Corner of the Universe and the Baby-sitters Club books

“Nova is a character you will never forget, who will break your heart and put it back together again in a new way. She felt so real.” —Gennifer Choldenko, author of the Newbery Honor Book Al Capone Does My Shirts and One-Third Nerd

“A remarkable, sensitively told debut with a joyfully positive portrayal of neurodifference. Nova and her indomitable spirit will remain with you long after you close the book.” —Cindy Baldwin, author of Where the Watermelons Grow

“As close to perfect as a story can get. It speaks to heartbreak and joy, pain and resilience, tragedy and humanity (both big and small) in a unique and utterly engaging ‘speechless’ voice that transcends all boundaries.” —Nora Raleigh Baskin, author of Anything but Typical and Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story

“Nova’s story will wrap itself around your heart page after page after page. It’s like reading a hug. A beautiful debut!” —Ellie Terry, author of Forget Me Not

love loved it, hated it to end!

There are no negative things to say, awesome narrator, beautiful story, no unnecessary inappropriateness so I will have my older kids listen as well!

Great Read

So I took my time with this one because I had a feeling on what the ending would be. But damn still got me and messy cried into my cat, Bella. Great read, really please give it a shot. It’s very informative on an on-site on what kids with ASD live through day to day.

Absolute brilliance!

Amazing integration of the space program, The Little Prince, and Autism. Characters are multi dimensional and vivid. Poignantly wonderful and heartbreakingly brilliant.

Great book

Loved Nova, it was great to hear the story from the perspective of an autistic person.

My favorite book ever 💫

I've loved this since forever. I laughed, and I cried. Nova is such a sweet and smart girl, and it's crazy what she's been through. This book made me love space more then I thought I did. And I also now have a new favorite song, Space Oddity is an awesome song and I love hearing it. Its an amazing book. 5 out of five. ★★★★★