CLEAR SKIES

Set during the US/Soviet Space race in the summer of 1961, Eleven-year-old Arno Creelman wants nothing more than to be an astronomer. It seems that his struggle with claustrophobia has little impact on his one true passion. Unlike his annoying friend Buddy, who wants to become an astronaut and is not at all bothered by the idea of flying in a cramped space capsule, Arno dreams of exploring the galaxies with powerful telescopes back on Earth.

The story reflects his obsession about all things space-related, and is packed with fascinating space information and fun facts that have been vetted by astronomy experts and scientists. It also touches on mental health as Arno grapples with claustrophobia, particularly when he discovers that his dreams of becoming an astronomer may explode like an extragalactic supernova. (Who knew an observatory was a small space, too?!)