A powerful debut novel in verse about a neurodivergent seventh grader who dreams of traveling to the stars one day. A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year “This story is about a boy who is certain of his own magic in the midst of the doubtful adults around him. A kid who knows not even the sky, but the stars are the limit. Which makes Paulino's debut...extraordinary.” —Jason Reynolds, author of National Book Award finalist Look Both Ways and Newbery Honor Book Long Way Down Seventh grader Alex's favorite things to do are watching YouTube videos of rocket launches with his Papi and spending hours on the NASA website reading about astronauts and planets. He even dreams of going to space one day himself, and knows he'll have to study hard in order to get there. But Alex is in his grade's SC (self-contained) classroom, which means doing the same dull worksheets every day and reading books his sister read back in the third grade. Worst of all, being in SC means nobody thinks he's ready to join Ms. Rosef's mainstream science class—the class Alex knows will be the first step on his path to NASA. When his teacher says "not yet" for the millionth time, Alex decides it's time to make a change. Now he's ready to try everything he can to get the people in his life—his teachers, his parents, and the kids at school—to understand that he, Alex Ramirez, is capable of the extraordinary. Praise for The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez : A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Lone Star Reading List Selection * “Written in spare, authentic verse interspersed with naturally flowing Spanish that reflects Alex’s roots, Paulino's debut captures one student’s aspirations and climb to success as he becomes the hero of his own story. Readers will identify with Alex and his friends’ desire to be seen, heard, and challenged for who they are rather than trapped by others’ stereotype-informed views of their diagnoses. Targeted to middle-schoolers, this book will appeal beyond the age range, touching hearts and consciences. A must-read.” — Booklist , starred review * “More than just a story about breaking barriers, this novel is a celebration of perseverance, intelligence in all its forms, and the importance of being seen for who one truly is. This luminous, heartfelt debut reminds readers the sky is never the limit and will inspire any middle school student who reads it.” — School Library Journal , starred review “This visually arresting novel-in-verse is a shining constellation of perseverance, personal triumph and 'amor familiar.' ” — The New York Times “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 “There is so much to be said of a book highlighting the curiosity of a child who has been cartoned and categorized as limited. I could call the book brave, or loving, or fair, or any other adjective typically used to applaud a story shining light on neurodivergence. But to me, The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez isn’t just about a neurodivergent (and adorable) kid. To me, this story is about a boy who is certain of his own magic in the midst of the doubtful adults around him. A kid who knows not even the sky, but the stars are the limit. Which makes Paulino’s debut . . . extraordinary.” —Jason Reynolds, author of National Book Award Finalist Look Both Ways and Newbery Honor Book Long Way Down “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 “How perfect that the word extraordin