REASONS TO LOOK AT THE NIGHT SKY

A space-loving kid learns to adapt to change.

Eleven-year-old Luna McKenna loves outer space more than anything, which is why she’s so excited for her class astronomy unit and accompanying in-depth research project. Unfortunately, her beloved teacher is on leave, temporarily replaced by substitute Ms. Manitowabi. Now their final project will combine science with art, a subject Luna finds unappealing. Other undesirable changes are afoot, as well: Mom’s promotion at work and subsequent new schedule means the end of the family’s Tuesday Taco Night tradition, and Luna’s friendship with bestie Maggie Cho faces threats from Maggie’s parents’ impending split (she’ll spend half her weekends downtown with her dad) and Maggie’s competing friendship with classmate Astrid. Slowly, Luna comes to accept that not all change is bad and begins to see connections between art and science, particularly after Ms. Manitowabi shares her Ojibwe Sky Stories with the class. Despite the significance the Sky Stories have to Luna’s journey, none of them actually appear in the book. Readers may also wonder why first-person narrator Luna tells her story in verse, given how early and often she repeats her dislike of poetry. Still, Luna’s love of space and fear of change may endear her to similarly minded kids. Luna presents white; her father uses a wheelchair, and his disability is naturally woven into the work.

A solid story about dealing with discomfort and change.