
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is facing a major life upheaval, such as a cross-country move or a family crisis that feels out of their control. This contemporary young adult novel follows Cal, a social-media-savvy aspiring journalist who is uprooted to Houston when his father is selected for a NASA Mars mission. While the story centers on the high-stakes world of space exploration, its heart lies in navigating the pressure of public perception, maintaining personal integrity, and the beauty of first love. It is highly appropriate for older teens, offering a modern look at how young people find their own truth when their family's lives are being scripted by others. You might choose this if your teen feels like their own voice is being drowned out by family expectations or if they are looking for a sincere, realistic portrayal of a male-male romance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewSome use of mild profanity consistent with contemporary YA fiction.
Depiction of clinical depression and the stress of a parent going on a dangerous mission.
Cal must decide whether to leak secrets that could damage his father's career.
The book deals directly with the pressures of living in the public eye and the emotional toll of high-stakes careers on family dynamics. Leon deals with clinical depression, which is handled realistically and with empathy. The romance is secular and healthy. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in the reality that life-changing events have consequences.
An older teen who feels like they are living for their parents' dreams rather than their own. It is perfect for a student interested in journalism, digital ethics, or space, who also wants to see a positive, queer love story.
Read cold. Parents might want to be aware of scenes involving Leon's struggle with depression to facilitate supportive discussion. A parent might see their child withdrawing after a move or becoming obsessed with how they are perceived online. This book helps bridge the gap between 'online persona' and 'real self.'
Younger teens will focus on the excitement of the space mission and the 'fame' aspect. Older teens will resonate more deeply with the ethical dilemmas regarding media manipulation and the nuance of navigating a partner's mental health.
Unlike many space-themed books, this focuses on the 'Earth-side' experience: the families, the PR machines, and the human cost of being a hero.
Cal is an ambitious teen journalist with a massive online following whose life is upended when his father is chosen for a NASA mission to Mars. Relocated to a NASA-controlled community in Houston, Cal discovers that his family’s private life is being packaged for a reality TV audience. Amidst this staged perfection, he meets Leon, the son of another astronaut. As Cal and Leon fall in love, Cal uncovers unsettling secrets about the mission that force him to choose between journalistic integrity, his father’s career, and his new relationship.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.