“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

“Jasminne Paulino’s debut novel in verse is a triumph that beautifully celebrates the extraordinary in neurodivergence. You don’t just root for seventh grader Alex and the dreams he sets for himself, you aspire to them. You hope to love and see the world the way he does. This book has magic, and in Alex’s story, we levitate to the stars with him.”—Pablo Cartaya, author of the Pura Belpré Honor Book The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora and the Schneider Family Honor Book Each Tiny Spark

“This is a book kids need about shattering the limits others put on you. Saying out loud what you think, feel, and need. Standing up for and believing in yourself—and others. And just like the first astronauts on the moon, taking that one small step that changes everything.”—Lisa Fipps, author of Printz Honor Book Starfish