Shooting for Stars by Christine Webb (review)

Reviewed by: Shooting for Stars by Christine Webb Jessie Maimone Webb, Christine Shooting for Stars. Peachtree Teen, 2024 320p Trade ed. ISBN 9781682636015 18. 99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781682636848 11. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 8-12 Skyler is determined to go to MIT for both her undergrad and PhD in astrophysics then work in NASA's space program, which will allow her to finish her deceased mom's neutron star research. While she didn't ace her SATs, she's in luck, because NASA is looking for one teen intern who will have the opportunity to work on the International Space Station. Since the application requires a video, she hires Cooper, a fellow student and film club member, to help her create the ultimate application package, keeping her plans a secret from her overprotective dad. As Skyler and Cooper work together, their budding friendship starts to flourish into something more, but can the romance continue once the project is done? While the focus here is a sweet hetero romance, Webb is largely concerned with relationships of all types: Skyler learning to make friends, coming to terms with her dad dating again, and reconciling the childhood Skyler lost out on with the person she became after her mother's passing. Skyler and Cooper can come off as pretentious at times, and Skyler in particular can seem a bit cold and clinical, but their growth and relationships with others show their icy exteriors are a form of protection after past pain and make for a heartwarming story about growing up. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois