We Dream of Space

Set in the 1980s, this is the story of three siblings who face challenges and complex conflicts alone—in their own orbits. As the launch of the space shuttle Challenger approaches, the children struggle with self-esteem, belonging, and the turmoil inside their home. The Challenger expedition and its tragic ending eventually pull the siblings together. The story blends history and accurate information into the narrative, and the book lends itself as a read-aloud, novel study, or for independent reading in a middle-grade classroom. Teachers may also use the book to springboard into a science unit about space and space exploration.