How to Become a Planet

Nicole Melleby's 'How to Become a Planet' is a tender and honest middle grade novel about thirteen-year-old Pluto Timoney, who is diagnosed with depression. Pluto, a passionate astronomy enthusiast, feels like a 'black hole' is sitting on her chest, making everyday life difficult. When her concerned father threatens to move her to the city for better care, Pluto devises a plan to 'fix' herself by doing all the things her 'old, normal' self would do. However, with the help of a new therapist, a tutor, and a new friend, Pluto learns that healing isn't about returning to an old self, but about embracing who she is becoming. This book offers a sensitive and realistic portrayal of mental health, therapy, and self-acceptance, with subtle LGBTQ+ themes woven into the narrative.

With the help of new friends and a planetarium hotline, thirteen-year-old Pluto goes on a journey of self-discovery, in this poignant story about mental health from acclaimed middle grade author Nicole Melleby. A Publishers Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2021 One of The Nerd Daily's “Anticipated Queer Book Releases You Can’t Miss in 2021” One of Lambda Literary's “May’s Most Anticipated LGBTQ Literature” “Gorgeous.” —BuzzFeed The two most important things to know about Pluto Timoney: (1) she’s always loved outer space (obviously); and (2) her favorite season is summer, the time to go to the boardwalk, visit the planetarium, and work in her mom’s pizzeria. This summer, when Pluto’s turning thirteen, is different. Pluto has just been diagnosed with depression, and she feels like a black hole is sitting on her chest, making it hard to do anything. When Pluto’s dad threatens to make her move to the city—where he believes his money could help her get better—Pluto comes up with a plan to do whatever it takes to be her old self again. If she does everything that old, “normal” Pluto would do, she can stay with her mom. But it takes a new therapist, new tutor, and new (cute) friend with a plan of her own for Pluto to see that there is no old or new her. There’s just Pluto, discovering more about herself every day.